A truck accident attorney can provide critical support for travelers in our state. The Virginia Department of Transportation maintains the third-largest state highway system in the United States.  In addition to the 125,000 lane miles that it maintains, there are more than 10,000 miles of city and town roads. With its ports and excellent highway system, Virginia is an important hub for freight. Cars, trucks, and motorcycles share Virginia’s roads, most of the time without incident. But each year, there are thousands of truck accidents in Virginia. In 2021, there were 2,645 large truck crashes. Of that number, fifty-two were fatal, and 784 resulted in injuries.

If you have been in a truck accident, the first step is to get yourself and your vehicle out of danger and check to see if anyone has been injured. We often think of the steps we should take after an accident, but knowing what NOT to do is as essential. Avoiding common mistakes can help ensure that your losses are covered.

What Not to do When Involved in a Truck Accident

• Don’t let the adrenaline from the accident get the best of you. It’s normal to have a rush of adrenaline and experience fight or flight. Do not leave the scene, even if property damage appears minimal and everything seems okay. Call 911 to report the accident and wait for the police to arrive. 
• Do not make statements that could be construed as an admission of fault or partial fault in causing the accident, even to be polite. Those statements will undermine your claim. 
• Do not make any statements about the extent of your injuries. Delayed pain after a truck accident is common – even with serious and life-threatening injuries. Making comments that suggest you have minor injuries or are uninjured could impact your ability to win your personal injury claim. Instead, follow up with a health care professional to be evaluated for injuries, including neck and back injuries, head trauma, and internal injuries, which often don’t present symptoms until 24 or 48 hours later.
• Gather as many details as possible. At a minimum, you need the driver’s name, address, insurance company name, and policy number. If they work for a commercial trucking company, write that down too. Make a note of the state and license plate number of the truck that they were driving. If there are witnesses, get their names and numbers. If you have a camera, take photos of the crash site, including physical damage and injuries.
• Don’t make agreements with the other driver to not report. Your interests are likely not being protected.
• Do not share your Social Security number with the other driver or information that could unnecessarily compromise your safety or security. 
• Don’t neglect taking care of yourself and claim-related matters after the accident. If you are injured, seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Follow up on recommended medical treatments and therapies. Notify your insurance company. Have your vehicle inspected for damage. Keep good records of lost time from work.
•  If your injury is serious, you will want to consider hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer with a proven track record of winning truck accident cases in Virginia. Once you have representation, your attorney will handle all the negotiations, follow up on deadlines and make sure your interests are protected.

Contact Us Today

Every state has its own rules and regulations. If you were injured in a serious truck accident in Virginia, you and your family shouldn’t have to worry about your current bills and financial future. The right truck accident attorney can help you focus on what’s important: healing and getting your life back together.

Burnett & Williams is one of Virginia’s oldest and most recognized personal injury law firms. We are experts in personal injury cases including truck accidents. We have a proven track record. Contact us today for a free consultation.