Accidents can happen at any time on the road. Sometimes, they’re caused by negligent drivers, while others result from weather and slippery roads. They could even occur when parked and unloading goods.
Incidents involving vehicles, like delivery vans and large trucks, are common. In 2021, 523,796 large truck accidents occurred across the U.S. You may also be surprised to learn that 79.6% occurred during the daytime. (1)
If you’re involved in a delivery van accident, document the scene immediately. Recording the evidence can help you find the truth, verify fault, and claim insurance. Without it, the innocent party could struggle to prove what happened.
Prioritize Safety First
Safety is always the number one thing people should prioritize after a road accident. Check yourself and those in the vehicle. A minor head bump could lead to traumatic brain injuries and require medical attention. And even if you feel nothing, adrenaline could be masking the pain.
If possible, move out of immediate danger, such as incoming traffic or vehicles at risk of catching fire. Try to do that without disturbing any evidence of the scene.
Once you’re away from danger, call emergency medical services. While waiting for help, contact a delivery van accident lawyer. Delivery vehicles caught in accidents are vastly different from regular cars. They often follow strict deadlines and are under big companies, which means complex legal issues that an experienced attorney can handle.
Contact Authorities Immediately
Right after an accident, you should also contact law enforcement. The police can help secure the area, prevent other vehicles from colliding, and protect evidence from being tampered with.
Law enforcement also creates an official record of the incident, which is important when commercial vehicles get into accidents. Police reports carry weight to prevent disputes later on.
When local authorities arrive and ask questions, tell them what you know to keep the report accurate. If something is left out or recorded incorrectly, politely request a correction before the document is finalized. An error in the report can lead to unnecessary complications.
Gather Visual Evidence
If you’re uninjured, go ahead and take as many photos and videos of the delivery van accident. Pictures are the most valuable piece of evidence. Capture every angle possible to show the extent of the damage. Road conditions, traffic signs, weather, and lighting may also have contributed to the accident.
Pay extra attention to the vehicles involved. Things like license plates, company logos, vehicle models, and visible cargo spills are also crucial evidence.
Collect Witness Statements
Other people nearby at the time of the accident can help prove who’s really at fault. Bystanders often see angles of the accident that those involved miss.
Politely approach them and ask if they can share what they saw. Jot down their names and contact information. If they agree, a short audio or video recording of their account can be invaluable later.
Don’t worry if they pause often or use uncertain words. It doesn’t always mean they can’t remember. Studies found that hesitating or using hedging words were linked to how accurate the memory was right after the incident and two weeks later. Confidence also predicted the accuracy of the information. (2)
Secure Delivery Company Information
Next, get the delivery or trucking company’s information. You should note their name, contact details, and insurance provider.
Ask for the delivery van’s driver’s license number and any identification they carry for their employer. Also, photographs of the company logo on the van, uniforms, or delivery paperwork can help connect the driver to the business.
This information can be crucial when determining if the company, not just the driver, is liable for damages.
Keep a Personal Account
Throughout all the chaos and the questions, note everything you remember. Memories, especially of traumatic events, could fade quickly. Some might even contain biases and inaccuracies as you try to retrieve them for official reports. These erroneous memories may lead to false accusations. (3)
Write down everything while it’s still fresh. Include the time, location, and a step-by-step sequence of events. Everything you’ve seen, heard, and felt before, during, and after the collision is essential. Also, keep track of any symptoms or pain that develop in the hours or days following, as these could indicate delayed injuries.
Preserve Physical Evidence
Photos or videos can’t capture some pieces of evidence. Preserve broken parts of your vehicle and damaged personal property, such as phones and purses. Physical items around the scene could also help prove the extent and severity of the impact.
Store these items somewhere safe, and avoid repairing or cleaning them. An insurance adjuster or legal representative must examine them first.
Organize and Store All Evidence
Once collected and examined, you must store the evidence in an organized manner. A dedicated folder for documents and digital copies can help keep everything accessible.
Label and date each item to avoid confusion later. Back up files to cloud storage or an external drive so they won’t get lost in the event of phone damage or accidental deletion.
Additional Tips and Legal Considerations
You must keep the delivery van accident details off social media. People can take posts out of context or use them against those involved. Additionally, before signing any agreements with insurers, consult your legal representation.
If the situation calls for filing a car accident lawsuit, doing so promptly can help preserve evidence and meet legal deadlines. Acting quickly also reduces the risk of losing witnesses, physical proof, or clear memories that could strengthen the case.
To Wrap Up
A delivery van accident can be distressing. However, the right approach to documenting evidence could protect your legal rights and ensure a fair outcome.
Every detail, from a photo of skid marks to a witness’s written statement, has the potential to support the truth. Be prepared and methodical in gathering and preserving evidence, so when the time comes to talk about what happened, you’ll only speak the truth.
About the Author
Albert Silva is a seasoned legal expert with over a decade of experience in personal injury law. He specializes in accident claims and is passionate about educating people on their rights. Albert also enjoys photography and volunteering in local charities.
References
- “Truck Accident Statistics For 2025,” Source: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/auto-accident/truck-accident-statistics/
- “Eyewitness accuracy and retrieval effort: Effects of time and repetition,” Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9451081/
- “Cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying false memories: misinformation, distortion or erroneous configuration?” Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10567586/
