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Email UsIf you are in a truck accident, there are a number of things New Jersey truck accident attorneys recommend you do. These things are listed as what you should do under optimal circumstances. Your health and safety, and the health and safety of those around you, is of utmost importance, and takes precedence over all other things.
New Jersey Truck Accident Attorneys Want You to be Safe
If you are in a truck accident, your first order of business is to assess your health and wellbeing. Do you need an ambulance? Do any of your passengers need an ambulance? What about the other vehicles involved? If anyone needs medical help, call 911. If you are the one in need of medical assistance, accept help, including being taken to the hospital. The rest of this list can be taken care of later or by someone else.
Call the Police
Whether anyone needs medical attention or not, contact the police to report the accident. New Jersey Statute § 39:4 – 130 requires drivers to report accidents involving $500 property damage, injury, or death immediately by the quickest means of communication possible. In this day and age, this generally means using your cell phone to contact police.
In addition to general compliance with the law, filing a police report brings officers to the scene of the accident. Once there, they interview any witnesses present, get contact information for all parties, confirm insurance information, and document the scene. Each of these actions can include information absolutely vital to a subsequent lawsuit for injuries or property damage.
Document the Scene
If you are physically able to do so, take a few moments to document the scene. This includes a video or pictures of your car, the truck involved in the accident, skid marks, the intersection, any potential obstructions, (such as overgrown trees), poor lighting, other property damage, etc. It should also include pictures of the truck’s license plate, as well as the license plate of any other vehicles involved. If you are safely able to do so, try getting Photos and Videos on your cell phone of the scene from several angles.
Gather the Names of Witnesses
Often, New Jersey truck accident attorneys represent people who report a good Samaritan stopped at the accident scene to see if everyone was okay, but left before law enforcement arrived. Sometimes, this means witnesses become permanently lost. If anyone stops to ask if you are okay, get their name and contact information – even if you are not sure whether or not they saw anything. Better to have the names and not need them as a witness, as opposed to not having their names and wishing you knew who they were later. You can also ask them for permission to take their picture or video them at the scene. Preferably, they will stay and tell the police that they witnessed the accident and have their information listed in the police report.
Speak to the Other Driver
Get the name and contact information of the other driver or drivers. Additionally, ask for their insurance policy number and insurance company name. Finally, when speaking with the truck driver, also get the name of their employer. Try to video or take a picture of the cab of the truck and see if they had a dashboard camera on board.
Contact Experienced New Jersey Truck Accident Attorneys
At Rosner and Tucker, we have extensive experience handling truck accident cases. With 2,800 miles of highway, and commerce coming and going by ship and railroad, there are plenty of trucks on the road. Our New Jersey truck accident attorneys are ready to assist you 24/7. If you were in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation. With our free consultations, you have nothing to lose by contacting our office. One of our experienced New Jersey truck accident attorneys will meet with you to discuss your case. We look forward to serving you. Contact us at (856) 502-1655 today.