First of all, the answer to the question is unequivocal YES! People who drive trucks feel invincible because they’re inside a vehicle that’s bigger than most of the other cars on the road. However, since semi-trucks are bigger and heavier than any other vehicle on the road, they’re more likely to cause an accident. When truck accidents occur, the truck causes severe damage to anything that it strikes. Worst of all, truck accident injuries can be more severe than those that result from a car-on-car wreck. Disastrous truck accidents usually result in broken bones, deep cuts, brain injuries, paralysis, and even death. It’s essential to file a police report following a truck accident immediately.
The Severity of Truck Accidents
Accidents involving a truck are more likely to result in death or severe injuries than accidents that occur between two small cars. According to the National Institute of Traffic and Highway Safety, victims hit by a truck accounted for 73% of all truck crash injuries and deaths. Speeding is the leading cause of truck accidents in the United States.
Process of Filing a Police Report
If you haven’t been involved in a truck accident before, you probably aren’t familiar with filing a police report, which is a document drafted up when a crime is reported to the police. Police reports usually contain the victim’s name, the perpetrator’s name, the type of offense, and the names of any potential witnesses. When it comes to truck accidents, police reports also document the location where the accident took place, the date and time of the accident, any damage to the cars involved, and any injuries sustained by drivers or witnesses.
Although you’re making phone calls to your insurance company and scheduling doctor’s appointments, you need to prioritize filing your police report first and foremost. This is an overwhelming time for you, but once you submit a police report, you’ll be eligible to receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Importance of Filing a Police Report
Even if the truck accident didn’t result in significant damages, it’s still necessary to file a police report. Submitting a police report strengthens your case in court if you plan on seeking compensation. Moreover, not every injury presents physical symptoms immediately. Many victims are prone to thinking they have not sustained any injuries after an accident but then experience severe pain days later.
The same stands true for your vehicle. Although your car may appear relatively unscathed, documenting supporting evidence of the accident will make it easier to recover expenses if you discover that your vehicle is damaged.
In the event you are at fault of the accident, it’s still equally important to file a police report. You don’t know the other driver’s intentions, and there’s a chance they may exaggerate the accident or fake injuries. Having a police report on file can save you from being financially responsible for non-existent injuries.
Reach Out to Us Today
If you were recently involved in a truck accident, through no fault of your own, you need time to mentally and physically recuperate. In the meantime, we could take care of the burden by filing a lawsuit. Work with an experienced personal injury attorney to receive the compensation you deserve. Contact us at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton today to work with a veteran personal injury lawyer.