- February 26, 2025
- Truck Accidents
Being hit by a truck is a chaotic experience. As you begin to get past the initial shock, confusion often sets in about what to do next. Should you tend to your injuries? What about getting the police involved? Should you call a lawyer or the insurance company first? If you’re unsure about what to do immediately after a truck accident in Kansas, a step-by-step guide is precisely what you need. Here are eight things you should do when you find yourself in this scary situation.
Ensure the Safety of All Involved
Any truck accident attorney will tell you that your first step after an accident should be to check for injuries on yourself. When possible, provide reasonable assistance in ensuring other injured parties get medical help if they request it or if it is apparent that they need it. If there are any injuries or deaths, you should call 911 immediately — saving as many lives as possible should be your first priority.
Call for a Kansas Police Officer
Kansas law requires you to call for a police officer at the scene if the truck accident results in death, significant injury, or property damage totaling $1,000 or more. You can either call 911 or contact the local police, sheriff’s office, or Kansas State Highway Patrol. The official report will include your basic information, a description of what happened in the crash and the events leading up to it, contributing factors, vehicle damage descriptions, and any traffic citations issued.
Getting the police involved is critical because it gives you a detailed report of the incident from a neutral, authoritative figure. This report can be used to help build your case at a later time.
Move Your Vehicle Out of the Way
You cannot leave the scene of a truck accident, but you and the other driver should move your vehicles out of the way of traffic. This ensures the roads are clear and other drivers can move safely through the area. If possible, you should put on your hazard lights to alert other drivers to slow down and remain aware.
Exchange Information With the Truck Driver
In Kansas, you are required to furnish certain information after an accident if there is property damage, injury, or death. You must give the other driver your:
- Name
- Address
- Vehicle registration number
- Driver’s license number
- Insurance provider
- Insurance policy number.
You are also required to provide your current driver’s license or permit, as well as your insurance provider and policy number, to a police officer upon request. This information is necessary for both the police report and the claims process.
If you’ve just been in a truck accident, you don’t have to panic. Call Palmer Law Group at (785) 233-1836 for a free case review from an experienced personal injury attorney.
Gather as Much Evidence as Possible
The police officer at the scene will provide a detailed report of the accident. However, you should still consider gathering your own evidence. If possible, get statements from witnesses about what they saw and exchange phone numbers with them in case further information or testimony is needed.
Additionally, you should take pictures of the details of the scene, including the location and weather, traffic, and road conditions at the time. You should also jot down what happened before, during, and after the accident and note whether the other driver appeared impaired or hostile. This information, paired with the police report, can aid a Kansas car accident attorney in conducting a thorough investigation of your case.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention From a Qualified Professional
One of the most important things to do after a Kansas truck accident is to get yourself to an emergency room as soon as possible. Even if you don’t feel injured, you should still get checked out. Some injuries don’t present symptoms right away, but that doesn’t make them any less serious or life-threatening.
Additionally, seeking immediate medical treatment will further solidify your case for compensation. This is because it demonstrates that your injuries are serious. It also provides crucial documentation from an expert that directly links your injuries and condition with the accident. This is an integral part of proving negligence and liability.
Contact a Kansas Truck Accident Attorney for Advice
After your truck accident, an attorney will be able to conduct an in-depth investigation into your case. This may involve:
- Gathering all of your documentation
- Filing the necessary court paperwork
- Working with expert witnesses
- Properly valuing your case
- Negotiating with the other party on your behalf.
Your attorney will also advise you on how to avoid saying or doing anything that could jeopardize your case. What you post on social media or tell your insurance company can affect whether you can pursue compensation and how much you may get.
Notify Your Insurance Company of the Accident
Notifying your insurer allows you to take advantage of any immediate benefits you may be entitled to, such as arranging and paying for car repairs or car rental services. Additionally, it allows the company to assess and investigate the situation and get the claims process rolling.
Before you notify your insurance company, have your attorney help you understand what information you should provide and which details you should withhold. Avoid outright admitting fault or giving a detailed statement this early in the process when a full investigation has not yet been completed.
Your Kansas Truck Accident Attorney Will Advocate for Your Rights
Truck accidents often result in severe, life-changing injuries and property damage. It’s crucial to hold the responsible party accountable, whether that’s the truck manufacturer that used faulty parts, the trucking company that scheduled back-to-back shifts with little rest time, or the truck driver who was distracted or driving under the influence.
An experienced truck accident attorney will use their investigative knowledge to get to the root cause of the accident, help you navigate comparative negligence laws, ensure you file before the two-year statute of limitations runs out, and fight for your right to pursue fair compensation for your injuries.
Founded in January 1980, Palmer Law Group has helped many clients successfully obtain complete and adequate recovery for damages. Give us a call at (785) 233-1836 for a full case review to see how we can help you determine your best next step.