After an accident with a driverless truck, you should stay at the scene, call 911, get medical attention, and contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. These cases are more complicated than a typical truck wreck because there may not be a driver to exchange information with.
Figuring out who is responsible for such a crash requires a thorough investigation. A truck accident lawyer in Texas can gather important evidence and file a strong claim for compensation on your behalf. Let’s take a closer look at what to do after a driverless truck accident and how an attorney can help you.
Stay at the Scene and Call 911 After an Accident With a Driverless Truck
Just like any other collision, you need to stay at the scene and call 911 right away after an accident with a driverless truck. Even if the truck doesn’t have a driver behind the wheel, law enforcement still needs to respond, file a report, and document what happened.
In addition, the police report that law enforcement creates will become an important piece of evidence in your personal injury case.
Don’t try to move your vehicle unless it’s creating a safety hazard. Wait for first responders to arrive and let them assess the situation. If anyone is injured, you should also ask for emergency medical help. Make sure you get a copy of the police report or at least the report number before you leave, because you’ll need it later.
Document the Accident Scene
Once you’re safe, start documenting everything you can at the crash scene. Take photos and videos of the truck from every angle, including any sensors or hardware mounted on the vehicle.
Get shots of the damage done to both vehicles, damaged traffic signs, skid marks, and anything else that paints a picture of what happened. If there are witnesses nearby, get their names and phone numbers. If there are witnesses nearby, get their names and phone numbers.
After an accident with a driverless truck, you should also make note of any branding, company names, or identification numbers on the truck itself. After a driverless vehicle crash, there will not be anyone at the scene to hand you an insurance card, so the more details you capture on your own, the better.
This kind of evidence can disappear fast, as companies may move the truck, repair it, or wipe data before you ever get a chance to use it in your claim. Capturing it now will help your case down the road.
Get Medical Attention Even If You Feel Fine
Adrenaline has a way of hiding injuries right after a crash. You might walk away from the scene feeling okay and wake up the next morning barely able to move. Get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible after an accident with a driverless car.
Some of the most serious injuries from truck accidents, like concussions, internal bleeding, and soft tissue injuries, don’t always show symptoms right away. Getting medical treatment now will protect your health and create records that your attorney can use to support your claim for compensation.
Call a Personal Injury Attorney Who Understands Driverless Vehicle Cases
Driverless truck accidents aren’t like regular wrecks. In these cases, there’s no other driver to point the finger at, and liability could fall on the trucking company, the developer of the driverless software, the vehicle manufacturer, or even the company that maintains the autonomous system.
Figuring out who should be responsible for your injuries and losses requires an attorney who knows how to investigate these cases and stand up against powerful companies that want to see your claim fail.
The sooner you hire a lawyer, the better. An experienced attorney will act fast to secure important evidence and offer more advice on what to do after an accident with a driverless truck.
How a Lawyer Can Help You After a Driverless Truck Accident
An experienced attorney levels the playing field between you and large trucking companies and takes the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on recovering. Here’s what a lawyer will do for you after a driverless truck accident:
- Identify every party that may be liable, including the trucking company, the software developer, the vehicle manufacturer, and the maintenance provider
- Gather digital evidence like sensor data, driving logs, and software activity before it gets erased
- Bring in accident reconstruction experts and technology specialists who can break down exactly what went wrong before the collision
- Deal with insurance companies and corporate legal teams, so you’re never pressured into a lowball settlement
- Negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement and take your case to trial if the other side refuses to pay what you deserve
Schedule Your Free Consultation With The Texas Law Dog
The Texas Law Dog has the experience, the insurance industry knowledge, and the resources to take on the companies behind driverless trucks and fight for what you’re owed after a crash. Our founder came from the insurance world and grew up around the trucking industry. That combination of insight is hard to find and helps us handle your case effectively.
We take every case on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney and learn more about what to do after an accident with a driverless truck.