What to do after an accident with a semi-truck

Fatality rates for passenger car and semi-truck accidents are high. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 66 percent of passenger vehicle occupants end in fatality.

Getting into an accident with a large truck, such as a semi, can be hard to imagine walking away from. However, if you are in an accident, what do you do after the fact?

Check injuries and seek medical attention

Because of the high fatality rate of these accidents, it is important to check yourself for injury. As it is likely you may be injured, take yourself or have someone take you to the doctor to assess the damage. The chances for traumatic injury is high in these types of accidents, which means that traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries are unfortunately common. If you believe that you have sustained a traumatic injury of this nature, it is important to seek emergency medical assistance.

Call the police

The police are beneficial to have at the scene, as they will be able to create a police report and talk to you and the other driver. This can be beneficial when determining liability and possible negligence after the accident.

Exchange information

Making sure that you get the other driver’s information is crucial. Before leaving the scene (unless you are in need of emergency medical attention), make sure you retrieve the other driver’s:

• Name
• Phone number
• Insurance information
• Truck information (description, license plate)
• Company information, if they were driving for work

Getting in an accident with a semi-truck is scary and can have deadly consequences. However, knowing what to do after an accident can be helpful.