Steps to Take as a Witness to a Truck Accident
Truck accidents can be frightening for the victims and other people who witness them. But if you witness a truck crash, you must try to remain calm during this very traumatizing situation. Your plan of action would mainly depend on the extent of the crash, but you can look to the following general guidelines below. By following these simple guidelines, you will be prepared to render aid until the police and emergency responders arrive at the scene.
Prioritize Your Safety Above Everything Else
If you’re driving, biking, walking, or standing nearby when you witness a truck accident, step away or pull over your vehicle and turn on your hazard lights. You need adequate distance to avoid coming in contact with broken glass, other debris, flames, or leaked fuel.
Call 911
Don’t assume that another person has already called for help. Even if the truck accident doesn’t seem that serious, the authorities must still be notified of the accident. Tell the operator that you witnessed the accident, the accident location, the people and vehicles involved, if there are any injured people, and other relevant details.
Check On The People Involved in The Truck Accident
Before approaching the accident scene and checking on the people involved, make sure that it’s safe to do so. Unless one of the vehicles is at risk of catching fire or crushing a person, resist the urge to move the injured person. You may naturally want to give first aid or help an injured person in some way, but when untrained people attempt to provide first aid to a severely injured person, risks and severe complications can occur.
Among the most dangerous threats to seriously injured people is unnecessary movement. While your intentions are noble, you could end up accidentally making the injured person’s condition worse. Likewise, unless you are a medical professional, wait for the actual professionals to tend to the injured person. In the meantime, you can comfort the victims by telling them that you’ve called for help and staying with them until help arrives.
Document The Accident Scene
If possible, take photos or videos of the vehicles involved in the accident, any debris lying around, skid marks on the road, and the like. You can also write down relevant details that you can give to the responding officer later.
Give Your Statement to The Police
Once the police arrive, tell them what you witnessed and provide your contact details. In the days or weeks following the truck accident, insurance claims adjusters and lawyers may contact you for information about the crash. Be honest, consistent, and factual with your statements. Insurers often contest claims arising from truck accidents, so your testimony could serve as crucial evidence for the injured party.
Talk to a Skilled Truck Accident Attorney Now
If you suffered injuries in a truck accident or have any questions and concerns, please reach out to Matthews Injury Law today. You can schedule your free consultation with our Tampa truck accident attorney by calling 813-530-1000 or filling out our online form.