What to Do After an Accident With a Semi-Truck

Hundreds of Americans die each year in semi-truck accidents or tractor-trailer accidents. These 80,000-pound vehicles are often seen as “death traps” and lead to catastrophic injuries and death in a majority of instances. Under-ride accidents are particularly dangerous, which involve a smaller vehicle colliding into the side of a truck, forcing the smaller vehicle to crumple and wedge underneath the truck. It’s not uncommon for truck under-ride collisions to cause severe head trauma and decapitation.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a semi-truck accident, follow these steps:

1. Seek immediate medical attention.
2. File an accident report with the police.
3. Cooperate with the police to make sure the report is accurate.
4. Compile any relevant documentation such as medical records, photos of the damage to your vehicle, insurance information and vehicle registration for all parties involved.
5. Refrain from giving a statement to the insurance adjusters until you’ve consulted with our lawyer. Insurance representatives, especially representatives of trucking companies, will try to get you to admit fault or agree to a settlement far below what you’re owed.

Semi-truck accidents can be triggered by many factors, but the most common causes include:

• Driver fatigue
• Distracted driving
• Poor maintenance
• Parts failure
• Inadequate training
• Substance abuse

If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in an accident with a semi-truck or tractor-trailer, please contact our Cottonwood truck accident lawyer today at 928-778-2660. The Jensen Phelan Law Firm, P.C. serves clients throughout Northern Arizona including Cottonwood, Prescott and Prescott Valley.