Commercial truck accidents in the Somerset area are more complicated than typical auto accidents. Collisions that involve commercial trucks may end up including additional parties in the matter than just the driver who struck your automobile. To make sure you do not lose out when you seek injury compensation, you should know what information to collect following the wreck.
First, assuming that your life is not in immediate danger and that you can walk under your own power after an accident, you should gather the same kind of information that you would look for if you were hit by a car. Use your phone to take pictures of the truck’s license plate. Additionally, find out the truck driver’s name as well as any auto insurance information that the truck driver has on hand.
Since a commercial truck is involved in your collision, FindLaw points out that you should look for specific kinds of identification on the vehicle. The truck might have an identification number somewhere on the outside of the vehicle. There could also be a particular license number for the truck. Additionally, the truck could have other identifying features. Anything that strikes you as distinctive about the vehicle should be documented.
You should also get the name of the truck’s parent company, as the truck driver’s employer is likely to become involved in your case and may end up being the party who pays your medical bills. However, in some cases, there may be another contractor or business involved with the truck. Do not assume the truck driver is simply acting as the employee of a single company.
The name of the company as well as other relevant parties is important because, as another article on FindLaw points out, the truck company could be liable for your injuries under the doctrine of vicarious liability. Under this legal doctrine, employers are held liable for the negligent actions of their employees. Also, in some cases, the company might have been directly negligent by hiring a driver with a poor background in driving, such as having a number of prior drunk driving convictions.
