What to do after a Madison Truck Accident

A truck accident can be a very frightening and chaotic event, even after the initial accident is no longer in motion. A major accident involving multiple vehicles and/or structures can easily resemble the aftermath of a natural disaster. Keeping a cool head and taking some basic steps can help you avoid further and help your case when it is time to pursue compensation.

• Get out of harm’s way. You should never leave the scene of an accident before the authorities arrive, but you still need to look out for your safety. Truck accidents can create unusually dangerous situations. If the truck was carrying flammable or hazardous materials, there is the risk of fire, explosion, or exposure to toxic liquid or gas. If a structure such as a bridge or overpass was affected there is a risk of collapse. In any kind of accident you should get out of the flow of traffic. In a truck accident you may need to put even more distance between yourself and the accident.
• Call the police, and if anyone is injured tell them you need medical assistance. Be sure to tell them that it was a truck accident. If you see any signs on the truck which indicate that it may be carrying flammable or hazardous materials, tell the dispatcher so they can send a hazmat unit.
• Notify your insurance company of the accident as soon as possible.
• Contact a truck accident lawyer. He may want to come to the scene of the accident.
• If it is safe and possible, get contact information of everyone involved. This includes the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the truck driver, any other drivers, passengers, and witnesses.
• Write down any identifying information you can see on the truck. This could include the license plate number, DOT numbers from the cab and trailer, company name, and anything else that you may notice.
• Record the license plate numbers, make, model, and color of the other vehicles involved.
• Take pictures of the scene including the truck and other vehicles involved, any injuries, structures involved, and anything else that might be relevant such as skid marks, damaged road signs, or cargo which has fallen from the truck.
• Seek medical attention, even if you do not seem to be injured. You may have injuries that you are not aware of.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck accident in Madison or anywhere in Wisconsin, please call the Madison truck accident attorneys of Boller & Vaughan LLC at 608-268-0268 or submit an online questionnaire. Your initial consultation with our experienced Wisconsin truck accident lawyers is free of charge and if we agree to handle your case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds. In many cases, a personal injury lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. Please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.