Truck accidents are traumatic events that can result in strong emotions for both you and the truck driver. The driver may be worried about losing their job as a result of the accident or causing trouble for their employer. They may be blaming you because they want to hide the fact that they had been on the road for too long, their truck was in poor repair, or they were otherwise breaking the law. Alternatively, they may just be upset that it happened and are reacting poorly by blaming you.
Don’t let someone tell you that it’s your fault when you know it isn’t – you could wind up losing out on thousands of dollars in compensation that you need to put your life back together. Unfortunately, liability can be a complex issue. The truck accident lawyers at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. know how to sort out what actually happened and who is truly at fault. If you would like a free consultation with one of our truck accident lawyers, call us at (312) 236-2900 or complete our online contact form to discuss how we can help you.
If the truck driver is blaming you for the accident, the best thing you can do is to stay calm. If you are at the scene of the accident, call the police and wait for them to arrive. You do not want to get into an altercation, so focus on diffusing the situation until they arrive. If the driver insists on arguing with you about it, calmly tell them that you want to wait for the police to arrive.
If you’re still arguing with the driver after the accident, politely decline to discuss it with them further. At that point, we strongly recommend that you contact an experienced truck accident lawyer.
The best thing you can do is to get in contact with any witnesses to the accident. At the scene, get their name, address, email address, and phone number so that you can follow-up with them later.
After the accident, ask your witnesses to make a statement in writing. They should try to include as much detail as possible. You want to ask them to provide their statement as soon after the accident as practicable.
Statements from witnesses can be a critical part of your case. Since they were uninvolved in your claim, their statements can be highly persuasive because the witnesses are considered neutral, uninterested parties. They can also be very helpful – it’s not always easy to sort out what happened in a car accident, especially when you are the victim.
If you’re having difficulty getting witnesses to cooperate, a truck accident lawyer can help. They can dispel their fears about cooperating, or if push comes to shove, place them under subpoena so that they are legally required to cooperate.
When the police arrive at the scene, they will take statements from you, the driver, and any witnesses that are present. They will note basic facts of the accident, such as where and when it happened, the direction the vehicles were traveling, and their assessment of what happened. All of this information will then be put into a written report that will be made available to you.
However, you will likely have to request a copy, and it may require some follow-up. The police are busy, and sending out copies of accident reports are not their top priority. A good way to make sure you get a copy is to call them to find out when it will be available, and once you have confirmed that it is ready, go to the police station to pick up a copy in person.
An attorney who has experience handling truck accidents can help you determine who was at fault. They know the law and know which facts will be critical to your claim. They also likely have relationships with experts who can determine what caused the accident and reconstruct exactly what happened. Your attorney can also speak on your behalf, so you don’t have to waste time and effort arguing with the truck driver who insists the accident was your fault.
Just because the other driver is blaming you it doesn’t mean you don’t have a case. The attorneys at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. have the knowledge and the experience to help you prove the truck driver’s fault. Our truck accident attorneys serve clients throughout the Chicago area, including Aurora, Elgin, Hinsdale, Joliet, Naperville, and Waukegan. Call us at (312) 236-2900 or our online contact form to schedule a free consultation – we can evaluate your case and help you understand your options.
When you’re fighting for maximum compensation, we know what it takes to get it.
