No one wants to get in an accident, especially not in a large vehicle like a tractor trailer, but they can happen—knowing what to do when an accident happens is essential to keeping yourself and other people on the road safe. Accident procedures are also essential if your company needs to conduct an investigation relating to the cause of the accident or for processing insurance claims.
Your Tractor Trailer Accident Checklist
If you’ve been in an accident while driving a tractor trailer, there’s a simple checklist of steps to follow. You’ll likely feel unsettled and shaken, making it harder to keep your thoughts clear. Simple steps will be easy to follow even if you’re feeling disoriented. You should follow the same steps every time, no matter how minor or major the accident is.
- Step 1: Put on your hazard lights and pull over to a safe location out of the flow of traffic. Note that there are times when it may not be safe to do so—for example, you may be in the middle of a busy highway and cannot cross over multiple lanes of traffic. Only pull over if it is safe.
- Step 2: Check yourself, any passengers, and occupants in the other vehicles for injuries. Do not attempt to move anyone that has been injured unless they are in immediate danger.
- Step 3: Call 911 and report the accident. Set up emergency warning devices to alert drivers to your presence and make it easier for first responders to find you.
- Step 4: If you drive a tractor trailer for a company, you may be required to contact your supervisor or point of contact. Every company has different regulations, so be sure to educate yourself on any relevant procedures.
- Step 5: Exchange information with the other drivers. When speaking to the other driver, do not admit fault or try to discuss what happened. Focus on keeping a clear head so you can properly recount the events of the accident.
- Step 6: Document as much information as you can. This includes the make, model, and license plate number of the other vehicle, the time and location of the accident, any damage to your truck, and the weather conditions at the time of the accident. If it’s safe for you to do so, use a camera or smartphone to take photos or videos of the scene. Also document any damage to your vehicle and take photos of anything that may have contributed to the accident (such as a hedge that could have obstructed someone’s view).
Contact Barnett’s Towing for Tractor Trailer Towing in Tucson
If you’ve been in an accident in a tractor trailer, you’ll need a towing company that can provide heavy-duty towing services. Barnett’s Towing offers 24-hour emergency towing service for a wide variety of vehicles, including tractor trailers and semi-trucks. Contact us today to learn more about our heavy duty towing services in the Tucson and Phoenix area.
