What Should I Expect The Police Officer To Do At The Truck Accident Scene? | Call 24/7
You would expect a police officer to do many things when they arrive at a truck accident scene, primarily serving the public. Appropriate police action can help maintain a safe environment, expedite care for anyone injured, and make all parties’ legal and insurance issues following an accident more manageable.
While police officers are responsible for enforcing the law on our roadways, they are also tasked with responding when things go wrong. If you are involved in a motor vehicle or truck accident, police are among the first responders to the scene of a crash.
Securing the Scene Keeps Other Parties From Getting Harmed
One of the first things you could expect the police to do at the truck accident scene is secure the scene. This could mean:
- Directing traffic away from disabled vehicles
- Setting up cones or flares, so oncoming traffic is aware of an accident
- Keeping people away from the scene if an active investigation is ongoing
If an accident scene is not secure, more vehicles or people could become involved and even injured.
Responding To Immediate Medical Needs Can Save Lives
Nothing is more important than the health of accident victims. While it is likely that a medical emergency responder will be the first person on the scene of an accident, sometimes police officers are there first. Police may be required to call for additional help or ensure all immediate medical needs are addressed at the scene.
The Police Should Record Statements of Victims and Eyewitnesses
After an accident scene is secure and victims have received necessary treatment, you can expect a police officer to take statements. Statements from any involved parties could be likely. This may include vehicle drivers, passengers, and even witnesses.
Statements from involved parties are usually organized into a police report. This is available to everyone involved. A police report is important and can become an official document sent to insurance companies. Police reports can also be used to help prove fault in truck accident cases if an accident results in a legal case.
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The Police Should Conduct Sobriety Tests When Necessary
Suppose a police officer suspects one or more drivers involved in a truck accident could be under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or another mind-altering substance. In that case, they could choose to conduct a sobriety test.
On-site sobriety tests are important because the intoxicated individual could become sober if a police officer waits too long. It may be difficult to prove that a liable party in an accident was intoxicated after the window to test has passed.
Sobriety test results can also serve as important proof of a crime in legal matters. You can expect a police officer to conduct these tests at the scene of a truck accident if they suspect substance abuse.
Can a Police Officer Issue Tickets Immediately?
A police officer can issue tickets immediately at the scene of an accident, even if a full investigation is not yet complete. This is not always the case, but it is certainly possible that tickets or fines will be administered onsite.
The Police Should Ensure the Roads Are Clear After an Accident
Truck accidents can leave a trail of debris, cargo, or other obstructions on the road. Part of the job of law enforcement is to help coordinate the removal of any objects from the roadways so that others can safely travel.
In addition to debris removal, an important role of officers is to help manage and direct traffic, so that vehicle flow returns to normal as soon as possible.
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How Do I Know if a Police Officer Made a Mistake?
Law enforcement officers are trained in how to manage and respond to truck accidents, but mistakes can still happen. While some errors in how an accident scene is managed are minor, others can have more serious impacts on your life and physical safety.
There is no perfect way to flag when a mistake should have occurred. The best you can do is keep a record of the events following an accident. This can help a trained professional, such as a lawyer, determine if a mistake may have been made if you think something was possibly amiss.
How Police Mistakes Potentially Affect an Accident
Many people are injured in motor vehicle and large truck accidents. Victims of truck accidents expect and deserve first responders to act appropriately.
If you were put in danger at the scene of an accident, given an erroneous police report, or experienced any form of negligence on behalf of a police officer, it could have an effect on how your case is managed legally, and throughout the insurance process.
Contact Us Today About Your Truck Accident Case
Suppose you were put in danger at the scene of an accident, given an erroneous police report, or experienced any form of negligence on behalf of a police officer. In that case, it could affect how your case is managed legally, and throughout the insurance process.
Contact Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. Our lawyers can protect your rights and guide you through the legal process. We can discuss what the police should have done at the scene of your truck accident case.
