This is the third step to follow if you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident.

3.  Third, photographs and videos of the physical evidence and motor vehicles involved should be taken immediately.  All parts of the motor vehicles should be photographed, including the semi-tractor and trailer unit should be taken while the vehicles are in their after-impact position.  Even those parts of the vehicles that don’t appear to be damaged need to be photographed and/or videoed.  This is because of the lack of damage on the portion of a truck or other motor vehicle can be important.  Photographs and videos of all portions of the semi-tractor and trailer may reveal maintenance defects in the tires, braking systems and other structure of the truck or trailer.  While it is best to take these photographs at the scene and before the vehicles are moved, if this is not possible, the photograph should still be taken of the semi-tractor and trailer and other motor vehicles even after they have been moved to a tow lot or other salvage location.  Interior photographs or videos of all vehicles should likewise be taken, particularly of the tractor unit.

In addition to taking photographs or videos of the semi-tractor and trailer and other motor vehicles involved, it is very important to photograph the scene of the accident.  This includes not only the terrain and surrounding area, but specifically the roadways where the accident happened.  There can be markings on the roadway which are significant in the accident and personal injury claim, including skid marks, scuff marks, gouges, oil marks, and physical debris.  Some of the markings and gouges can be present for even days afterwards.  It may be important to have an accident expert or trucking expert look at the scene of the accident to record the physical evidence.  Our law firm has access to trucking and accident reconstruction experts who can assist in investigation of the accident.  We can be reached at our website www.truckaccidentlegalcenter.com or our toll free number (800) 943-4529.

This is the second step in the process if you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident.

Step 2.  If you are physically able or if you have someone else at the accident scene that can do so, it is important to obtain the names and contact information for all witnesses and potential witnesses.  This may even include people who show up after the accident is over.  Such persons could still have important information to be used later on.
Even if the fault of the truck accident is obvious, it is still important to have every witness recorded and their contact information obtained.  This includes name, address, phone number, and if they will give it to you, even employment number or cell phone number so that they can be contacted.

If possible, it is even helpful to note where the witness was located at the time of the accident, the type of vehicle being driven, license plate number and color of the vehicle.

Sometimes individuals have cameras in their motor vehicles.  Ask witnesses if they have a camera to record any of the physical evidence or vehicles of the accident.

Make sure all witnesses are followed up with shortly after the accident, and if possible, obtain a recording of the witness’ account of the accident including what they saw, heard or experienced.  It is best to obtain that witness statement as soon after the accident as possible because memories tend to fade over time.  Our law firm has expertise in obtaining witness statements and may be contacted through our website www.truckaccidentlegalcenter.com or by phone at 1-800-943-8529.

Dougherty and Holloway, LLC specialize in litigation involving personal injury and wrongful death claims.  We are dedicated to serving and assisting those persons and families who have suffered from their accident or injury.  In an unfortunate event that you or a loved one may be involved in an accident, we felt it necessary to provide you with the top 7 procedures one should follow.  The following list provides the overview and we’ll provide the detail to each step in a series of posts over the next several days.

1.  Proper Medical Treatment

2.  Witnesses

3.  Photographs of Scene and Vehicles

4.  Diagram Accident Scene

5.  Notification to Trucking Company

6.  Document Medical Care

7.  Hire Experts in Truck Accidents

1.  First, make sure you or your loved one receives the medical care needed.  This means you will need to go to a hospital, possibly by ambulance, to be evaluated.  Many times, a person will suffer injury, even serious injury, and not realize the nature or extent of that injury.  Especially if the collision is substantial, a thorough evaluation of personal injuries needs to be made where they have competent staff and medical equipment to fully evaluate your injuries.

It is also important to tell the emergency room doctor or other personnel about every complaint that you have, even those areas of your body that have lesser pain or complaint than other areas.  Documentation of all injuries is very important.  You may be focused on one particular area of injury which is causing you the most pain and discomfort at the time, but another area of injury may be as or more significant but doesn’t show up until later, even days and weeks.  Please try to advise the healthcare personnel of all areas of pain or discomfort.

Also, follow up care with doctors and therapists, even after being released from the hospital, is likewise very important.

Do not assume that everything is okay, but have all injuries evaluated as soon as possible after the truck accident.  If you have any questions, contact us at www.truckaccidentlegalcenter.com or by phone at 1-800-943-8529.

This is just the first in a series of steps that must be taken in the event that you or a loved one are involved in a truck accident.