Near the end of July, a tractor-trailer truck crashed into a tollbooth plaza on the West Virginia Turnpike. According to WSAZ, the accident happened around 7 am on Friday, July 29 in Chelyan. As a result of the collision, a tollbooth was damaged, and a toll collector was injured.
The accident happened when a semi-truck carrying an oversized load tried to pass through the toll plaza using the incorrect lane. This led to it knocking over a toll booth and injuring a toll booth collector. The truck got stuck in the toll lane, and both lanes of the toll plaza had to be shut down while the truck was removed.
The toll collector suffered minor injuries in the crash and was taken to the hospital for treatment. The toll lanes were reopened a few hours later. As of this report, there was no word as to whether the truck driver will face charges for the incident.
What to Do If You’re the Victim of a Truck Accident
The immediate aftermath of a truck accident can be chaotic and frightening. You may be severely injured. You may have lost someone. You may not know what to do. The following are tips for what to do if you’re the victim of a truck accident:
- Seek help – If possible, call 911. In addition, seek immediate medical attention for yourself or anyone who is injured.
- Document the accident scene – Take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and the damage to your vehicle. Get the name and contact information of the truck driver and any other drivers involved in the wreck. Exchange insurance information with the other drivers. Get the names and contact details of any witnesses. Get the name of the trucking company that employs the trucker. You should also report the accident to your insurance company.
- Speak to the police – Try to stay at the accident scene until police arrive. Tell the police the truth about what happened, but, if possible, don’t admit fault. Ask the police how you can get a copy of the accident report.
- Discuss your situation with a lawyer – After the accident, the trucking company, their insurance provider, and their attorneys will try to speak with you. You should avoid speaking with them, because their goal is to help the trucker avoid taking responsibility for the accident and, in some cases, shifting the blame to you. Instead, discuss your situation with an experienced truck accident lawyer. They can help you protect your rights, determine who is responsible for the wreck, and design a strategy for securing the most favorable outcome possible for your situation.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys Today
Since 1931, our personal injury attorneys at Katz, Kantor, Stonestreet & Buckner, PLLC have been helping clients throughout West Virginia with their legal needs.
Tractor trailer truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries and property damage. In the aftermath of a truck crash, victims and their families may become overwhelmed. They may have to deal with a life-altering injury, loss of a loved one, a mountain of medical expenses, the inability to work due to severe injury, and much more.
In addition, the trucker who caused the wreck will have the backing of the trucking company, their insurance provider, and an army of lawyers. Truck accident victims don’t have to be alone in their fight for justice.
Our legal team is ready to help. We have a history of successfully taking on trucking companies and their insurers. Our experienced truck accident lawyers can carry the legal burden while victims and their families rebuild their lives. We know what it takes to:
- Hold negligent truckers and trucking companies accountable
- Prevent negligent truckers and trucking companies from hurting others in the same way in the future
- Secure the compensation that victims and their families need for current and future medical costs, loss of income, living expenses, and pain and suffering
Need help following a truck accident? Give us a call at (304) 713-2014 or contact us online today for a free, no-obligation consultation with our experienced truck accident attorneys.