4 Steps You Must Take After a Truck Accident in California - Adamson Ahdoot LLP

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4 Steps You Must Take After a Truck Accident in California

November 16, 2020 Alan Ahdoot

California is not only home to the second-highest number of roadway miles in the United States; it’s also a major gateway for international trade, adding thousands of trucks to its roadways every day. Because this large-scale movement of goods can create additional hazards on the road, it’s important that drivers of both trucks and passenger vehicles be aware of roadway dangers.

The aftermath of a truck accident can be as disorienting as it is devastating. Knowing what to do following the crash, however, will help you as you begin to take the right steps toward protecting yourself and a future claim to financial recovery. Here’s what you need to know.

The Immediate Steps to Take After a California Truck Accident

While there’s no playbook with set-in-stone procedures after a California truck accident, there are a few general steps that you should consider in the aftermath of the crash. This includes the following:

Seek Medical Attention from Emergency Responders

First and foremost, you should call for an ambulance from the scene of the accident. Even if it feels as though the injury is minor, you should still visit your doctor to ensure you and other passengers are safe. You may find that these injuries aren’t always immediately obvious.

Likewise, consider your legal obligation to those in the other vehicle. California law requires that anyone at the scene of an accident is responsible for providing “reasonable assistance” to an injured person. That includes taking them to a hospital or doctor if they can’t go by ambulance or on their own.

Remain at the Scene and Call the Police Immediately

If the crash caused any sort of injury, the California Vehicle Code requires the involved parties to report the accident to the police. Even if the drivers and passengers only suffered minor scratches and bruises, you’re still strongly advised to call the police to the scene.

An officer will be able to help divert traffic, clear the wreckage, and get injured individuals the help they need. Likewise, they’ll write a police report after getting statements from drivers, passengers, and witnesses. This document is one of the most critical elements in a personal injury investigation and insurance lawsuit.

Collect Information and Gather Evidence

Always exchange identification, contact, and driver-related information with the other motorists involved in the collision. In addition to noting the names and phone numbers for each involved driver, be sure to also take down each party’s driver’s license number, license plate number, insurance provider, and policy number. If there are any witnesses, retrieve their information as well.

Furthermore, it’s possible that the truck driver was working on behalf of an employer at the time of the crash. Be sure to ask them whether they were on the job, and if so, ask the name of their employer and the owner of the vehicle.

This step is important because you may face a tricky situation when it comes to liability after an accident with a truck. As opposed to a crash with a regular passenger vehicle where the liability often sits with either you or the other driver, accidents with trucks can involve a multitude of at-fault parties, such as the driver’s employer or the company that owns or leases the vehicle. It’s essential, in this case, to get in touch with a credible California truck accident attorneywho can help you establish the at-fault party and recover the compensation you deserve.

Finally, if you’re physically able, take some time to get pictures of the scene. This could involve vehicular damage, personal injuries, and anything else that might be relevant, such as skid marks and road signs. Try to get shots from several angles.

Contact a California Truck Accident Attorney

When you’re ready to get on the path to financial recovery following your truck accident, contact the experts at Adamson Ahdoot. We’ll help you proceed to the next steps, which include determining fault, calculating damages, and filing a claim. After meeting with you one-on-one, we’ll launch an investigation into the facts of your case and the circumstances that led up to the crash in order to get you the compensation you deserve for any lost wages, medical bills, property damage, and psychological trauma.

Choose the Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers at Adamson Ahdoot

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, the experienced truck accident attorneys at Adamson Ahdoot can help protect your rights and pursue a case for recovery. With over 100 years of combined legal experience, our expert team is dedicated to keeping you informed every step of the way and helping you overcome this challenging time in your life.

Adamson Ahdoot has a proven track record in California of providing clients with top-of-the-line legal representation. Our team of knowledgeable lawyers is here to help fight for your rights. For a free consultation, give us a call at (877) 871-3265 or complete our contact form today.

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