According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), fatalities from big truck crashes rose in 2017, despite the decline in the overall traffic fatality rate for the same year. Of the 4,761 deaths attributed to big truck crashes, about 1,300 of those deaths were truck drivers. The remaining 72 percent of trucking fatalities occurred in the other vehicle involved in the accident. Additionally, deaths in over-the-road tractor trailers rose 5.8 percent in 2016.
Many of these fatal accidents are caused by distracted driving, in spite of the increased use and requirements of driver assistance safety features and technology found on most large, commercial trucks.
For any driver who has shared the road with a big rig or another large commercial truck, the sheer size and weight of these vehicles are staggering. When the unthinkable happens and an 18-wheeler collides with a passenger vehicle, serious injuries and severe property damage are likely to occur.
The essentials steps for what to do after a truck accident include:
Step 1: Stay At The Crash Scene
In some states, leaving the scene of an accident could constitute a hit and run. Remain at the scene until authorities and medical help have arrived. Move the car if needed for safety. But if possible, leave the vehicle in the position where it came to rest after the crash. This will give you the best chance of preserving the evidence of what caused the wreck and the damages and truck accident injuries that resulted from it.
Step 2: Call 911
Following an accident, it’s essential that you call 911 immediately (or that you ask another person to help you do so). If medical personnel are not already on the scene, you can ensure that they will soon be there to tend to any wounded individuals. Police will also help secure the scene and conduct an investigation into the cause of the truck accident. The police report often contains crucial information for your personal injury claim.
Step 3: Seek Medical Attention For Your Injuries
Collisions between passenger cars, trucks, and motorcycles and 18-wheelers often result in serious injuries. It is critical that any injured persons – from drivers to passengers to pedestrians – get immediate medical attention if they’ve been harmed in any way.
Severe injuries should be attended to right away, and emergency medical personnel will likely have to transport the injured by ambulance to a local hospital for immediate treatment. Even seemingly minor injuries should also be examined and documented by a doctor as soon as possible.
Step 4: Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer
Large commercial vehicles and 18-wheelers are unquestionably intimidating titans on our highways. When someone is involved in a crash with an 18-wheeler the results are often catastrophic.
Semi-trailer drivers are often overworked and over hours. If you or a loved one has been involved in an 18-wheeler accident, call us immediately for the experienced advice you deserve.
The attorneys at Sticklen Dreyer Tinney are skilled in representing individuals who have been hurt in tractor-trailer accidents. We have decades of experience in dealing with large trucking companies and the insurance companies that represent them. Our team of experienced lawyers and staff members know what it takes to provide clients in Joplin, Columbia, and the surrounding areas with the help and legal representation they deserve when going against the biggest trucking companies in America.
Sticklen Dreyer Tinney are your 18-wheeler accident attorneys in Joplin and Columbia MO. Contact us today!