Delivery trucks seem ubiquitous in New York City and in other major cities nationwide, including vehicles that are operated by major large corporations, local courier services and grocery chains and stores, etc. As convenient as they are, they also increase the risk of road accidents, especially in residential areas and city streets. If you have been injured in a delivery truck accident, you may be dealing with serious injuries, rising medical bills and questions about who should be held responsible.
Here are a few critical steps to take if you have been injured in a delivery truck or van accident:
1. Prioritize safety and get medical help
Immediately after the accident, make sure you move to a secure location, if you are able to do so safely. Call 911 to report the accident and request emergency medical assistance if anyone is injured. Don’t refuse medical attention. Some injuries such as concussions, whiplash or internal bleeding may not manifest right away. Even if you don’t feel injured immediately after the accident, it is absolutely essential to see a doctor. Medical records often play a crucial role in your injury claim.
2. Report the incident to the police and obtain a copy of the report
A police report is one of the most important pieces of evidence in a delivery truck accident case. It includes:
- Date, time and location of the accident
- Statements from drivers and witnesses
- The responding officer’s observations and initial findings
- Information about citations issued (if any)
Request a copy of the police report for your records. It can help support your insurance claim or a future lawsuit.
3. Gather evidence at the scene
If you’re physically able to do so, collect as much information as possible at the accident scene. This can significantly strengthen your case later. Some crucial information to collect includes:
- The driver’s name, license, and insurance
- Company name of the delivery truck
- Truck’s license plate and DOT number
- Photographs of vehicle damage, your injuries, road conditions and traffic signs
- Contact information for witnesses
If the driver is employed by a company, it is critical to document who their employer is. This could help determine whether the company, the driver or both may be liable.
4. Preserve evidence and document everything
From the moment the accident happens, begin creating a paper trail. This includes:
- All medical visits and prescriptions
- Lost wages or missed work days
- Pain journal documenting your recovery
- Bills for physical therapy or counseling
- Photos of injuries over time
This documentation can help support your claim and help quantify your damages.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
Delivery truck accident claims are more complex than standard car accidents. Large delivery companies often have powerful legal teams and insurers protecting their interests. You need someone on your side who understands how to investigate commercial vehicle crashes; deal with corporate insurers; preserve and obtain driver logs, dashcam footage and company records; and calculate your full monetary damages.
Injured victims of delivery van or delivery truck accidents can seek compensation from at-fault parties for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families that have lost loved ones in truck accidents can seek compensation for damages such as lost future income, medical and funeral costs, pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a van/truck accident or pedestrian accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 53 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. We recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and $2,000,000 in a hit-and-run accident, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4 YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com