If your commercial vehicle has ever been involved in an accident, then you know how disastrous it can be. The accident can leave you shaken up and in, most instances, it can cause severe injuries.
Even if you have never been involved in an accident, it still makes sense to wonder what your first reaction should be after the accident.
It is normal for your minds to be overwhelmed when trying to figure out what to do during an accident. And it’s understandable as you may not know the extent of the injuries that you or the other party have suffered.
It’s also critical to remember that a branded and your commercial vehicle on the road is a representation of your company. Your action and behavior following the accident would likely impact how people perceive your brand. This is why it’s important to act responsibly and ensure everyone involved is safe and receives medical care.
However, the best thing you can do at this time is to try and remain calm. This way, you can easily figure out what steps you need to take.
Remember any action you take immediately after the accident will determine how safe you and other parties involved will be. What’s more, it will determine whether you can file a successful legal claim to get full compensation for your truck and the injuries sustained.
Whether you’ve just been involved in an accident and are trying to get help or you just want to gain knowledge so you can remain prepared in the case of an accident, you’re reading the right post for When Your Commercial Vehicle Gets Involved in an Accident.
Table of Contents
Steps You Need to Take in the Event of a Commercial Car Accident
1. Seek Medical Help
An accident scene can sometimes be chaotic. However, despite this, you should not leave the scene of the accident immediately after the crash.
You need to remain at the scene until the police have assessed the situation. This is particularly so in case of injuries or fatalities as you can face legal action for leaving before reporting the accident.
To that end, you should first seek medical care for you or anyone else who has been injured as a result of the accident. Call an ambulance to the scene to ensure that everyone receives the required medical attention.
As a rule of thumb, you should call the ambulance or the police for medical help even if no one feels hurt. Sometimes the circumstances surrounding the accident scene can mask the pain or injuries until later when you’re relaxed.
2. Contact the Police
You also need to file an official report regarding the accident with the police. Be sure to call them at the accident scene so they secure the accident site and help control the traffic. In fact, we would advise you not to move your vehicle before the police have filed a report.
3. Call a Lawyer or Insurance Company Representative
Compared to standard auto accidents, accidents involving commercial vehicles are more complex. Different laws regulate the industry, not forgetting that different parties could have caused the crash.
And since these crashes are likely to cause severe damage and injuries, insurance companies will fight to reduce what they’ll pay or avoid responsibility altogether.
You, therefore, need to call an experienced attorney to help you in the process.
We would also recommend that you contact your commercial car insurance in minutes so they can send representatives at the scene. Also, avoid speaking with the insurance company for the other party as they can gather something that they can use against you.
4. Document the Accident
It is important to know which details you can or cannot share with the other party. Never give details about your insurance policy or admit that you were at fault.
However, make sure to collect important information from the other party such as their names, company name, telephone numbers, the drivers’ physical addresses, occupants, insurance details, etc.
Remember your attorney will need all the evidence available so be sure to jot down the police report number, the name of the officers involved, their badge numbers, and their contact numbers.
5. Take Pictures
As you wait for the police to arrive, take pictures of the scene and the damage using your phone. These pictures will not just help determine your award for the damage but can also be presented as evidence in a court in case of a lawsuit.
6. Obtain Contact Information of the Witnesses
Talk to all persons who witnessed the accident and get their contact information, including their names, addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers, etc.
If a dispute arises, witnesses can help support your version of events. These can be drivers, passengers, pedestrians, nearby residents, business owners, bystanders, among others.
