Involvement in an accident with a truck is never an ideal scenario, but if there is any chance of a hopeful outcome, it involves a cooperative truck driver. Unfortunately, some victims face a scenario where the driver is anything but cooperative. If you ever find yourself in a situation with a resistant truck driver, learn about some steps you can take.
Call the Police
Whenever you are involved in an accident, it is essential to contact the police. However, if you are faced with a resistant driver, it is imperative to contact the police. Fleeing the scene of an accident is often considered a crime, especially if the truck driver is the at-fault party. Even if the other driver is unwilling to hand over their information, once you obtain the police report, you will have all the information you need to identify them.
Capture the DOT Number
All commercial trucks are required to register their vehicles with the Department of Transportation (DOT). As such, these numbers are typically etched on the side of the vehicle for anyone to see. This number is essentially an identifier that will provide details about the truck, as well as the driver. If the truck driver attempts to flee the scene or refuses to give you any information, capturing this number will be useful.
Collect Witness Statements
Another thing you can do if you are faced with this scenario is to collect witness statements. However, you should only complete this step if you can do so safely. When you are involved in an accident, the shock of the moment can often leave you in a state of disarray, which might make it difficult for you to collect important details. However, someone that witnessed the event might have identifying information that you missed.
Let an Attorney Work
One of the best things you can do in this scenario is to speak with an attorney. An accident rarely occurs without any trace of information connecting a driver to the incident. An attorney often has access to information you do not, such as local surveillance cameras. An attorney can review the footage to identify any commercial trucks in the area that might be linked to your accident to help you identify the driver so you can move forward with your claim.
If you are hit by a truck driver, remember that they do not have an option as to whether or not they give you their information. Be sure to follow these tips and speak with an attorney to ensure your case moves forward.
Contact a local truck accident lawyer to learn more.
Share31 March 2023
Like many people, I once found learning about law very intimidating. My brother went to law school and I remember glancing through a few of his books and wondering if I was actually reading English due to all of the legal jargon in them! However, when I ended up in a sticky legal situation due to accidentally breaking a small law I didn't know existed, I realized that I needed to learn more about the law, so I could make sure to follow it precisely in the future. My brother helped to break down some complicated legal concepts to me, and I have since been studying up online. I want to post what I have learned and continue to learn about law in the future on my new blog, so my knowledge cannot only help myself, but also help others!