Nearly ten percent of the over 30,000 traffic-related deaths in the US each year are trucking-related—to say nothing of the non-fatal injuries and property damage that occur annually due to commercial trucks. Trucking accidents are higher-stakes than ordinary vehicle accidents for a number reasons: Foremost, the average 18-wheeler weighs 40 tons—that’s 16 times the weight of the average car. Also, trucks often carry extremely hazardous cargo, from heavy quarry stone to highly flammable chemicals. That anxious feeling you get while passing a truck on the highway is justified.
All drivers do their best to avoid a collision with a truck. However, accidents do happen, and in the event that you are the victim of a trucking accident, you must be prepared. The Law Offices of Vincent J. Ciecka, P.C. have prepared the critical steps you should take should you be involved in a road accident with a commercial truck.
Record the Details
Accidents are traumatic. We understand that if you are involved in one, you may be dazed or injured and want to forget all about it. But earning a settlement for medical expenses, physical injury, emotional suffering, and lost wages is your right. For that reason, you must prepare yourself to meet with an attorney as soon as the accident happens.
Write down any relevant information that you observe, including a detailed description of the accident, details about the truck such as its appearance and license plate number, and damage to your own vehicle. If your phone is handy, take multiple photos of the scene, and take a video if you can. It will also be helpful to collect the statements, names, and phone numbers of any witnesses. These little details, even the semingly inconsequential ones, can mean the difference between winning or losing your settlement case.
Make Your Phone Calls
Before you collect any details, however, contact our office at 856-283-0589 immediately (we can also be reached at contactus@ciecka.com). We must emphasize how important it is to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Trucking companies will send their own investigation crew to a scene, and will even go to such lengths as hiding, destroying, or spoliating evidence. Contacting a lawyer as soon as possible aids in your defense against these measures.
After the accident, also contact the police, your medical provider and car insurance company immediately. Even if you feel normal after the accident, physical trauma can show up days or weeks afterward. Get a full statement from your doctor about any injuries you may have. Do the same for your vehicle, as you may be entitled to compensation for repairs (or a new car, if the damage is that extensive). And it goes without saying that a police report will be invaluable to your attorney.
Trust an Experienced Team
Dealing with commercial trucking insurance companies in the aftermath of an accident is as complex as 18-wheelers are heavy, and you’ll need to have the right legal team working on your behalf. Trucking accident cases are particularly complex because truck drivers can work for multiple companies, and these companies can in turn be covered my multiple layers of insurance, making these cases difficult for a layperson to sort through.
The Law Offices of Vincent J. Ciecka, P.C., has specialized in trucking accidents for over four decades. Our team will guide you through the process of seeking a monetary settlement so that you can get your life back on track after a trucking accident. Over the course of our experience, we have earned clients millions of dollars’ worth of settlements. In one Camden County, NJ, case, a woman was hit by a truck while in her car. She suffered back and hand injuries which necessitated surgery, and sought damages for her inability to work. After she contacted our firm, we were able to reach a settlement of $750,000 without the need to go to trial.
If you are hurt and need help, contact us immediately so we can go to work for you. We help injured people get compensation and medical treatment so they can get back to health and their daily activities without having to deal with the insurance companies.
