If you have been injured in a serious trucking accident, then you probably have a lot of questions. At Kruger & Hodges, we are committed to making sure that every client understands his or her rights. USF Holland Trucking is one of the larger trucking operations in Northern America. Every year this trucking company causes many collisions on US highways and interstates. No matter how safe or professional truck drivers are generally, invariably some will be careless and cause serious injuries. It is simply a matter of numbers. The average American driver drives about 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year, while the typical truck driver may drive more than 150,000 to 200,000 miles per year.
A Little About Holland Trucking
According to quicktransportsolutions.com, USF Holland operates over 4,200 trucks and has over 6,000 drivers. In August 2019 alone, there were numerous accidents reported around the country involving these trucks. In fact, this carrier tends to have a rough safety record. In the 24 months between October 2017 and October 2019, DOT records suggest that the company was involved in 345 total crashes, 114 of which caused injuries, including six deaths.
Steps to Take After Truck Accidents
If you are involved in a trucking accident, there are five simple steps you should take.
Do you not answer any questions about your injury or how the accident happened. Whether it is an investigator on scene or the other driver, you should refrain from admitting fault or making any comments that could be held against you later.
Do not allow the other driver to leave without first contacting the authorities. Many truck drivers are instructed to provide a phone number rather than actual license, insurance and registration info. This is a mistake. Consider what could happen if a driver gave you a wrong number. Instead, make sure you call and report the crash to the police. Make sure you get the information from the police before leaving the scene.
Take photographs. Try to snap some pictures of the crash, the damage, and the truck. You will want to make sure you get a picture of both license plates – the trailer and the front of the actual rig. This is because they may be connected to different companies. It is very important to know who the truck driver’s actual employer is. You should also try to photograph the DOT and ICC numbers located on the driver’s side of the truck.
Get medical attention right away. One of the most common ways for insurance companies to deny claims is to argue that the victim delayed medical treatment. While most people understand that some injuries can take a while to manifest themselves, this will not deter a large trucking company from using any delay as an excuse to refuse payment of an injury claim.
Finally, do not try to navigate a Holland truck accident claim alone. Insurance carriers are keen to fight these types of cases because the stakes and potential payouts are so large. Not every attorney fully understands accident cases, so be sure to work with someone who has handled a lot of accident cases. For a free consultation or to learn more about your options, call Kruger & Hodges today.
