Winter weather in Wyoming can certainly make for treacherous road conditions. This is especially true when considering the number of large commercial trucks on our roadways.
If you are involved in an accident with a truck, the first thing to keep in mind is safety. If possible, get your vehicle off the roadway and out of harms way. Do not get out of your vehicle where you may be struck as a pedestrian by other vehicles losing control. Be sure to call for help!
Once help arrives and you can safely do so:
- Gather information at the scene. This includes the name of the truck driver and all identifying information on the truck itself. You may see numbers in multiple places including license plates and other numbers (such as DOT number) on the tractor and trailer. Make sure you photograph the identifying numbers or write them all down.
- Collect license, registration and insurance information for the truck driver and any other drivers involved.
- Gather names and contact information for witnesses to the accident.
- Take photos and/or videos of everything including damage to all vehicles, all injuries, and anything that may be related to the accident. Do not post any of the photos or any other information to social media.
- Seek immediate medical attention. You should get checked out even if you do not immediately feel that you are injured for your own wellbeing and protection.
- Contact an experienced truck accident attorney.
- Do not discuss the accident with the truck driver’s insurance company without talking to your attorney first.
- Do not give your insurance company a signed or recorded statement without talking to your attorney first.
- Report the accident to your insurance carrier.
To learn more about what to do to protect your rights after a truck accident, please contact Rick Koehmstedt at Schwartz Bon today.