What to Do If You Are in a Crash with a Delivery Truck or 18-Wheeler in West Texas?

When you are in an accident with any type of truck, protecting your health and safety needs to be a priority. These accidents carry a significant risk of serious injury and loss of life, and immediate action matters. Unlike car accidents, truck accidents require careful consideration of a few specific areas.

At Flores Mendez Law, our West Texas truck and 18-wheeler accident attorneys will help you navigate what comes after the incident. Yet, knowing what steps to take when an accident like this happens could preserve your evidence and minimize the risk of complications later. Take these steps after an accident with a delivery truck or 18-wheeler.

Steps to Take After a Truck or 18-Wheeler Accident

Ensure Your Safety First

Most importantly, it minimizes the risk of further injury. As soon as you can do so, call 911 and request medical and police assistance. Try to move to a safe location in situations where you might still be in danger, such as on the roadway. Do not do so if that puts you more at risk for injury. Do not leave the scene of the accident but instead remain off to the side of the road.

Gather Evidence

Once you are safe and help is on the way, start collecting any available evidence that could support police and insurance companies in better understanding what happened. If you have your phone in hand, consider the following steps:

• Take photos of the accident scene. This should include the entire surrounding area.
• Capture photos of the damage to both vehicles, even if the damage to one is minor.
• Take photos of any injuries you have or those of others involved in the accident.
• Get the other driver’s information, including the company name they work for, their license plate number, and insurance details. You will also want to obtain their contact information. If possible, ask them to take a photo of their license so you can easily capture this information.
• Get the name and contact information of any witnesses at the scene. The witnesses could be other passengers or those who saw what happened. Even if a person just stops to help you, they may have small bits of information that could be usable later.

Seek Medical Attention

Get medical attention as soon as possible after the accident. This could include going by ambulance to the hospital or visiting an urgent care center if your injuries seem more minor.

Some injuries may not be visible. This includes damage to internal organs, internal bleeding, and muscle-related injuries. Adrenaline can mask many of these injuries initially, especially with conditions like whiplash that take time to develop. By getting care now, you minimize the risk of not catching an injury early enough to get help.

Report the Accident to Authorities

Many times, police arrive on the scene of car accidents, truck accidents, and commercial vehicle accidents. This allows the police to document what took place. If they do not come to the scene of the accident, file a police report with the authorities. The State of Texas has an online crash reporting tool you can use, or you can visit the local police department in the area where the accident took place.

To file an insurance claim, you will need a police report. It is best to do this with the help of police arriving at the scene so they can document the evidence and determine fault.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Even if this accident is not your fault, you still need to let your car insurance company know about it. Your insurer will need details about the accident, including who was involved and what happened.

Never provide any details that could indicate you were at fault. Instead, simply state the facts of what took place. Do not speculate or provide any insight into what you might have been doing at the time of the accident.

Document Everything

From this moment on, document everything you can about the accident. This documentation will allow you to have proof of your losses later. At a minimum, keep a log that includes:

• All medical bills you receive.
• Lost wages from missed time at work.
• Correspondence related to the accident.
• Pain and suffering each day.
• Mental health complications you have had.
• How the accident impacted your daily life and well-being.
• All of this becomes evidence you can use later to support your claim.

Understand Commercial Vehicle Liability

Commercial vehicles, including delivery trucks, 18-wheelers, and any other company that provides cars to their employees, have more complex liability issues. The company could be held responsible for their driver’s actions. The company that owns the car may be responsible for your losses if the car’s breakdown caused your accident.

It may be necessary to pursue compensation from the business or commercial insurance policy. This can be more complicated than traditional car accident claims. The complexities of Uber and Lyft accidents are even more nuanced.

Consult with a Personal Injury Lawyer

Bringing an experienced personal injury attorney into your case allows you to navigate those complexities with more support and guidance. Your attorney will help you determine liability, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court when necessary.

Know Your Rights as an Injured Party

Compensation is your right under Texas law if someone else caused your injuries and losses. You may be entitled to any losses you can document, including:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Damage to your vehicle
• Emotional trauma

Your attorney will help you determine liability, the value of your case, and the overall process for claiming fair compensation.

Time Is of the Essence

In Texas, you have two years to file a personal injury claim – including anything from car accidents and truck accidents to slip and fall accidents. Acting quickly allows your attorney to preserve evidence and minimize the risk of delays.

An El Paso Truck Accident Lawyer at Flores Mendez Law Is Ready to Assist

Contact an El Paso truck accident lawyer at Flores Mendez Law now to learn more about your legal rights after a truck accident in West Texas. Call our office at 915-308-9999 or contact us online for a free consultation. We have offices in El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico.

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