Steps to Take After a Truck Accident

On January 12, 2016, a sudden snowstorm causing slick road conditions and high wind gusts was blamed for a massive chain reaction crash involving at least forty vehicles. The crash scene in Dearborn County, near the Ohio border, was a combination of two smaller pileups and closed both lanes of Interstate 74 from late morning until nightfall.

Reports and photos form the scene show that as many as seventeen of the vehicles involved in the crash were trucks. News accounts indicate that the accident started when a semi-truck jackknifed on the highway, possibly because of the fifty-mile-per-hour winds. The destruction only escalated from there. No one was killed in the chain of collisions that followed, but six people were transported to hospitals with injuries.

Eyewitnesses suggest that the aftermath could have been much worse, though, and credit motorists on the scene for their brave and responsible actions.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

The reactions of those on the scene prevented more vehicles from getting involved in the crash, and they might even have saved lives. Would you react as well as they did? Do you know what to do after a crash? When you are involved in a truck accident, follow these recommendations:

Do

• Keep calm. Panic and overreaction have no place at a crash scene.
• Make sure you and others are safe. If it’s possible and safe to do so, get out of the roadway and help others do the same. If it can be done safely, prevent other vehicles from adding to the crash.
• Check for injuries. See to yourself and others. Give first aid as needed. When in doubt, do not try to move an injured person.
• Report the accident. Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.
• Take down all driver and vehicle information. All parties will need this later for accident reports and insurance claims
• Take notes on the crash. Explain what happened, in what order, and which vehicles were involved. Use the camera on your phone to take lots of pictures.

Don’t

• Leave the scene. This is a crime in many places, especially if someone has been injured.
• Forget to call 911. Alert emergency services, even if the accident is not serious.
• Lose your cool. Anger and frustration only make dealing with the situation more difficult.
• Forget to take down important information. You can’t have too much. Details matter.
• Neglect the aftermath. Get follow-up medical care or checkups right away. As soon as it’s safe, you might need to contact an attorney for legal assistance. Report the crash to your insurance company quickly to speed the resolution of your claim.

Contact a Truck Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one have been involved in a truck accident, contact the Indianapolis Truck Accident Attorneys of Wilson Kehoe Winingham. The lawyers at WKW can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call 317.920.6400 or fill out an online contact form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

Share This Article