Advice from Truck Accident Lawyers in the Seattle, Bellevue, and Tacoma Area

Directly following an accident, many drivers are not always sure whom to contact and what information must be collected. Because accidents are stressful and often traumatic experiences, many drivers feel overwhelmed and confused at the scene of a collision. Knowing the proper steps in advance can help you feel more confident. The truck accident lawyers at Phillips & Webster, serving the Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue areas, have provided information on accident safety, documentation, and reporting. Please also see our section on car accident preparation to see how you can plan for any accident in advance.

• Safety at the Scene of a Truck Accident
• Report the Truck Accident
• Collection of Accident Information
• Communication with Insurance Carrier

Safety at the Scene of a Truck Accident

After an accident, the safety of all persons involved should be your top priority. With minor accidents, make sure to move out of the way of traffic and find a safe spot to speak with the other driver and exchange information. If anyone has been injured, be sure to seek medical care immediately and call 911 if necessary. Check your surroundings for any fires, leaking chemicals, or other hazardous materials, and avoid them. If your vehicle is stalled in the middle of traffic and cannot be moved, our truck accident lawyers advise you to remain inside the vehicle with your and your passengers' seatbelts fastened, put on your hazard lights, and wait for help.

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Report the Truck Accident

After an accident, you should contact the police, who will let you know if their presence is required at the scene. This is especially important if the accident was a hit and run, if there were severe injuries involved, or if it appears that there may be a dispute over who was at fault. If you are on duty as a delivery driver or are involved in some other work-related activity, be sure to contact your employer promptly.

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Collection of Accident Information

Our Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue-area truck accident lawyers advise clients to collect any and all pertinent information after a truck accident. Be sure to collect the name, phone number, driver's license number, license plate number, and insurance company name and policy number from any other persons involved in the truck accident. Take notes on the physical description of the other vehicle(s) involved, including make, model, year, and color. It is important to get pictures of the scene, including photos of the damage to your vehicle and any injuries you have sustained. You should also collect the names and addresses of any witnesses to the accident. Insurance information for the other driver(s) can be obtained after the accident by contacting the Washington DMV; however, this service may take time and requires a small fee.

If an officer arrives at the scene, you will not need to file a collision report. However, if no officer arrives, Washington state law requires that you file a collision report within four days of the accident. You can file an accident report at the Washington state patrol detachment, your local police station, or the county sheriff's office. You can also obtain a copy of the report by contacting the state patrol.

Finally, our truck accident lawyers remind you to never admit fault after an accident. Keeping a neutral stance at the accident scene and collecting as much legal documentation as possible will only strengthen your case.

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Communication with Insurance Carrier

If possible, it is best to call your insurance company's 800 number directly from the scene of the accident. If a police officer is present, he or she may be able to speak with your carrier and provide technical information about the crash scene, injuries, other vehicles, etc. It is important to know what your individual insurance coverage requires; while some companies are not as stringent in regards to reporting accidents, others require that you call within a specific timeframe. The same rule applies if you are driving a company vehicle while carrying out work-related duties. Be sure to understand in advance the policy for reporting a collision to your employer.

Again, our truck accident lawyers urge that you do not to admit fault, even to your own insurance company.

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Contact Our Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers

If you have been involved in a truck accident, our lawyers serving the Seattle, Bellevue, and Tacoma areas can provide you with the advice you need. Negotiating with insurance companies and other drivers can seem overwhelming, especially after a major collision, and we aim to make this process easier by providing accessible, compassionate legal counsel. Contact Philips & Webster today for a free consultation.

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