Large truck and tractor-trailer crashes are often among the most serious of collisions. In the wake of a truck collision, victims may be overwhelmed by their injuries, medical bills, lost time from work, and at the very least damage to their vehicle.
However, it is important to gather information soon after a truck accident; at some point in the future, this information will be important for the hospital and doctors, insurance companies, police, and the victim’s lawyers. The following guidelines will help you to organize your research after a truck accident:
1. Information about the driver and company. Gather any information that you can about the trucker driver and his or her company. You never know what information may be useful or important in the future, and the more information you have, the better. In particular, be sure to find out:
- The driver’s name and address,
- The driver’s commercial driver’s license number,
- The truck’s license plate number and other identifying information about the truck such as the company logo and the make and model of the truck,
- The trucking company’s name and the company’s US DOT number (often found on the side of the truck),
- The insurance company for the trucking company, and
- Any other companies associated with the truck or driver.
2. Details about the accident. Your memory may become foggy in the days after the incident, so it is important to record all the details and information that you can. Gather information and document everything! Important questions to answer include:
- What are the details of the accident? When and where did it occur, and what exactly happened?
- Were there witnesses? Who were they, and how can you contact them in the future? Witness names, phone numbers, and addresses are crucial.
- Was a police report completed? If so, what is the incident number and what did the officer report?
- Were you or the truck driver cited with any traffic violations? If so, what was the violation?
- Were any photos or videos taken of the incident and if so, by who?
- Did your vehicle sustain damage? Photograph the damage.
- What were the weather conditions at the time of the accident?
3. Relevant information about you. In the aftermath of the incident, you may need to access your personal, medical, and financial information. Some questions will be easy to answer, but others may require you to hunt down information. Be able to describe:
- Effects that the accident has had you physically or mentally,
- Any diagnosis you may have received following the accident,
- If you were hospitalized and if so, for how long,
- What doctors and practices you received medical care from,
- What tests were performed and what treatments were prescribed,
- Your income and employment status both before and after the accident,
- Your paystubs, particularly if they show that you have lost wages,
- Your automobile and health insurance information, and
- Your history of accidents or prior injuries, if relevant.
Even if this information does not seem important at first, it may become relevant later on. You may need to turn to accident attorneys, particularly if your car accident injuries require you to see additional financial support. Contact our truck accident attorneys at Anapol Weiss to discuss the incident and any legal questions you may have.
