What Do I Do after a Truck Accident?

When a truck or other heavy commercial vehicle collides with a smaller vehicle, such as a passenger car, serious and sometimes catastrophic injuries — or even death — can result. In fact, according to statistics provided by Transport Canada, fatalities in commercial vehicle collisions between 2016 and 2020 involve nearly four times as many passenger vehicles as they did tractor-trailer occupants. Moreover, commercial motor vehicle (CMV) accidents are on the rise in Ontario, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), with 2,956 CMV-involved crashes just in the first half of 2021.

The sheer size and weight of trucks, when they collide with cars, make them much more likely to crush and injure occupants in passenger vehicles, as smaller cars tend to absorb most of the impact of these accidents. Additionally, trucking accidents often occur on highways, making them more likely to involve speed, which can further lead to devastating injuries.

Some of the more common injuries that impact those injured by trucking accidents and truck drivers include:

• Soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones and other fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Lacerations
• Internal injuries
• Emotional distress and resulting post-traumatic stress disorder
• In the most serious cases, wrongful death

What Should You Do after a Truck Accident?

It’s important to know what to do after a truck accident, as there are some steps you can take to preserve important evidence, obtain the medical care you need, and protect your legal rights. Follow these steps after your accident:

• Get to safety. If you can, get to a place of safety after you are struck, away from traffic and from other potential dangers on the road.
• Alert the authorities. Call the police to report the accident, and wait for them to arrive on the scene. Give the police an account of what happened from your perspective.
• Get medical help. It is essential that you get checked for any injuries, even if you feel completely fine at first blush—some injuries do not manifest until much later, and still others may be invisible to the naked eye until found by medical professionals.
• Obtain contact information. This includes the driver and the trucking company they work for. In some cases, the driver may have acted negligently in the course of their job and caused the accident, and the trucking company may be found liable for the driver’s negligence. In other cases, it is possible the accident was caused by the company’s own negligence, such as a failure to maintain its trucks properly. It is important that you obtain this information so that you know the parties against whom you might have a potential claim later.
• Speak to witnesses. Talk to any witnesses at the scene, and take down their contact information. If possible, obtain a statement from the witnesses about what they observed just before and during the accident.
• Document details. Take pictures of the scene, the road conditions, any damage to the vehicles involved, and any personal injuries you suffered.
• Contact insurance. Call your insurance company to report the accident, injuries, and damage to your vehicle. Do not communicate with insurance adjusters or anyone else representing the other side without the help of your own lawyer. Keep in mind that the goal of the insurance company is to pay out as little as possible, reducing your recovery in the process. Do not make any statements regarding who is responsible for the accident, and do not make any admissions, whether at the scene or later in the process.
• Seek legal help. Contact a trusted and experienced trucking accident lawyer. Claims that arise from commercial vehicle accidents can be very complicated and involve multiple parties, various different laws, and intense negotiations with insurance companies. Having a knowledgeable lawyer on your side is essential: they will communicate and negotiate on your behalf toward a fair and reasonable settlement, as well as prepare a strong case to present in court.
• Continue to get medical care for your injuries. Speak with your doctor about whether you are able to return to work, and if you aren’t, obtain the necessary documentation.
• Work with your lawyer to obtain important documents, reports, and other evidence that will help establish your claim. Also, gather together any bills, invoices, and other documents that help show the expenses you have incurred as a result of the accident.

How Can Derek Wilson Personal Injury Law Help?

At Derek Wilson Personal Injury Law, we understand the complexities that can arise in trucking accident claims. We have decades of experience working on motor vehicle accidents, and we pride ourselves on doing our best for our clients. We are honest, we care about our clients, we fight for them, and we get results.

We also offer a free initial consultation, and no payments will be required until I have successfully recovered money on your behalf. For a free consultation with Ontario trucking vehicle accident lawyer Derek Wilson, call us at 855-769-0418 or fill out an online request form.