On April 23, 2023, 3 police officers in St. Louis, Missouri, were injured in a multi-vehicle accident where a semi-truck rammed into the other vehicles sometime around 2:30 am. Gray Television later revealed that the truck driver was arrested on suspicion of DWI \u2013 driving while intoxicated. This Missouri road accident would be one of the many that took place over the last few months involving a truck. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data from the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) shows that over 15,005 total truck accidents took place in the state in 2022. This is a slight decrease from 2021, when around 15,792 road accidents took place involving commercial vehicles and large trucks. However, the frequency of these accidents has increased, which is rather concerning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being involved in a truck accident is the last thing you\u2019d want when you\u2019re out on the roads. Not only is the incident itself unsettling, but the things you need to do afterward can also feel exhausting, even more when you\u2019re just coming out of such an accident. However, doing these things is vital for your own sake, as well as the sake of others on the road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few tips you should follow if you\u2019re ever involved in a truck accident in Missouri. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prioritize Safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Right after the accident, the first thing you need to do is move yourself to a safe spot away from the site of the crash if you can. Many also recommend moving your vehicle out of the spot as well, but Missouri State Highway Patrol suggests that you document the scene first and then move it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check your body for injuries<\/a>. These include everything from cuts and bruises to muscle pain and fractured bones. If you require urgent medical attention, call 911. By the time help arrives, try to document the scene to your best capability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Document the Scene<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gathering evidence related to the accident is vital for all sorts of legal matters. Start by taking photographs of the scene itself and the vehicles involved, along with their license plate numbers, skid marks, and other visible damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re done taking photos, note down the weather and road conditions at the time of the accident. You should also get the contact details of any nearby witness who can testify in court if needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The local police will do its fair share of investigation as well. They will mostly concern themselves with CCTV footage obtained from nearby street cameras and also witnesses present at the scene during the accident.<\/p>