Steps to Take After a Dump Truck Crash
To protect your legal rights and improve your chances of a positive outcome, take these steps at the scene of a dump truck accident.
- Remain calm and don’t give in to road rage.
- Pull over and out of traffic if it’s safe to do so.
- Don’t say anything that implies you accept responsibility or blame.
- Seek emergency medical care for your injuries.
- Call the police to report the accident.
- Document the accident scene with photos and written notes.
- Exchange information with the other driver.
- Get the contact information of any eyewitnesses.
- Request a copy of the police report.
- Contact a Virginia truck accident lawyer.
Continue your vigilance in the days following the truck crash by following these steps.
- Seek proper ongoing medical care.
- Report the accident to your auto insurance company.
- Don’t negotiate with the trucking company or other insurer on your own.
- Consult your lawyer about what to do next.
- Provide your lawyer with all the evidence and information you’ve gathered so far.
Possible Damages You May Be Able to Recover
If you were in a car accident with a dump truck, you may be able to seek damages. Virginia is an “at-fault” insurance state—this means you have the right to file a claim for compensation from the party whose negligence caused the crash. In a dump truck accident, it may be the truck driver, the vehicle owner, the trucking company, or other possible parties.
Your claim damages could include:
- Current medical bills, like fixing a broken bone
- Cost to repair or replace the damaged vehicle
- Loss of current income and wages
- Anticipated future medical expenses, such as therapy for permanent disabilities
- Reduced future earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional damage
- Punitive damages
- Funeral and burial expenses in the case of wrongful death
Consult a skilled Virginia car accident attorney to calculate what fair compensation may look like. The team at the Mottley Law Firm is eager to advocate for your justice.
Skilled Legal Guidance to Protect Your Rights
Our Richmond car accident lawyers know how to handle “David vs. Goliath” cases with high stakes, and we’re prepared to manage a wide range of personal injury cases. Accidents involving dump trucks and other commercial vehicles are often quite complex. It can be overwhelming for victims to know what to do next while still nursing their injuries.
Our team is motivated to ensure clients get the justice they deserve, even when facing off against large companies and organizations. If you or a loved one was injured in a collision with a dump truck, speak with our compassionate legal team to protect your legal rights.
