Knowing what to do after a truck accident on Cajon Pass (I-15), CA, can make a critical difference in protecting your safety and preserving your right to compensation. The steep grades and heavy truck traffic along this stretch of highway make collisions particularly dangerous. By being aware of what steps to take after a collision, you can avoid potential setbacks for your recovery.
Steps to Take Following a Car Crash on Cajon Pass
A collision on Cajon Pass can be especially dangerous due to steep grades, unpredictable weather, and heavy truck traffic. Knowing what to do immediately after a collision can protect your safety and your right to fair compensation. Your first priority should be your safety. Move your vehicle to the shoulder, activate your hazard lights, and check yourself and other passengers for injuries.
If anyone is hurt, call 911 and request emergency assistance. Once the scene is secure, and if you can safely do so, document the scene by taking photographs or videos of the scene of the collision. Exchange contact information with the other parties in the crash, but do not discuss specifics of the case. Your attorney can handle negotiations on your behalf later on.
Seek medical treatment right away. EMS may examine you for injuries. If you are not taken to the hospital immediately, schedule a visit with your primary care physician. Injuries like whiplash or internal trauma may not be noticeable immediately.
Notify your insurance company as soon as possible to start the claims process, but be cautious when providing statements. Consult a personal injury attorney before accepting any settlement offer, especially in cases involving serious injuries or disputed liability.
Understanding Truck Accident Statistics in Cajon Pass
California registers about 420,000 heavy-duty trucks with the DMV. The Inland Empire reports frequent high-speed incidents. Riverside County logged 260 serious injuries from speeding in 2021, and nearby, Norco recorded 97 collisions with injury or fatality in 2022.
Press analysis has named the Cajon Pass one of the state’s deadliest short highway segments, with multiple recent fatal crashes on that stretch of I-15. Typical truck collisions in that area include jackknifes, rollovers, brake-failure runoffs on the steep descent, and high-speed multi-vehicle crashes.
Nearby communities where incidents commonly affect residents are Devore, Summit Valley, and Hesperia. Common injuries from these crashes are compound fractures, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord trauma, deep lacerations, and internal bleeding.
If you are seriously hurt in the Cajon Pass area, first responders commonly route critical patients to regional trauma centers such as Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, 400 North Pepper Avenue, Colton, CA 92324, for emergency surgery, imaging, and inpatient care.
Why You Should Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer
The decision to hire a truck accident lawyer can play a critical role in maximizing the compensation that you are owed. A Cajon Pass truck accident lawyer brings years of experience handling complex truck accident claims with a focus on protecting the rights and interests of clients.
A truck accident attorney can ensure that any settlement or court verdict accounts for the full extent of your injuries, both physically and emotionally. Injury lawyers are skilled negotiators and fierce litigators who can advocate for your interests so you receive what you are owed after a collision in Cajon Pass.
FAQs
Who Investigates Truck Crashes?
Multiple parties may investigate a truck crash. The insurance carriers involved in the collision may look into the cause of the crash so they can assess liability. A serious collision could lead to a police investigation and a police report. An attorney representing any injured party may also independently investigate the cause of a collision. Establishing liability can become complicated if you do not have a dedicated advocate working to support your claim.
What Happens After a Truck Accident?
After a truck crash, your top priority should be to focus on your safety and health. Call 911 to report the collision. Then, find a safe area to wait for EMS and police. When possible, exchange information with the truck driver, take photos of the scene, and gather witness details. Finally, seek prompt medical evaluation and notify your insurance provider about the accident.
What Happens if You Don’t Seek Medical Attention After an Accident?
If you do not seek medical attention after an accident, your health could be at risk. Certain symptoms may not be apparent immediately after a collision. Seeing a doctor can prevent medical complications and allow you to get the treatment you need. The visits also create a paper trail that documents the harm you endured following a truck accident. Follow your doctor’s directives and rest until you are fully recovered.
What Are the Five Steps You Should Follow if You Are Involved in a Car Accident?
First, check for injuries and call 911 to report the crash. Second, move your vehicle to a safe area if possible and turn on hazard lights. Third, exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. Fourth, document the scene with photos and gather witness names. Finally, seek medical attention and notify your insurance company to begin the claims process.
How Much Compensation Can You Receive From a Truck Accident Claim?
You can receive considerable compensation from a truck accident claim when you work with an attorney who is familiar with California’s personal injury laws and how insurance negotiations work. The main factors that are considered during negotiations or litigation include the severity of your injury, the impact the injury had on your work and personal life, and the emotional harm you endured following the car collision.
Find Reliable Legal Counsel for Your Personal Injury Case
Truck accidents on the Cajon Pass often leave victims facing serious injuries, property damage, and overwhelming uncertainty. Taking the right steps immediately after a crash can greatly impact your ability to recover both physically and financially.
At Easton & Easton, we’ve spent decades representing victims of collisions along California’s busiest trucking routes, including I-15. Our attorneys know how to investigate these crashes and fight for the compensation you deserve. If you were injured on Cajon Pass, don’t face the aftermath alone. Contact Easton & Easton today to protect your rights and start rebuilding your life with confidence.