Massive commercial trucks can cause severe damage and catastrophic injuries when they collide with smaller passenger vehicles. After a truck crash, you need to know what steps will protect your health and legal rights. Reach out an experienced truck accident attorney in your area.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
If you can, follow these steps immediately after a truck accident:1. Check for injuries and call 911
Make your first priority after any crash the health and safety of those involved. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request an ambulance if anyone is hurt. Even if injuries seem minor, get checked out by medical professionals. Some serious injuries like concussions or internal bleeding may not have obvious symptoms right away.2. Move vehicles to a safe area if possible
If the damaged vehicles pose a hazard where they are, see if you can move them off to the shoulder. Put on your hazard lights. If the vehicles can't move, put road flares or triangles around the crash scene to alert other drivers.3. Call the police
Even if there don’t appear to be serious injuries, you'll want to call the police to the scene of any truck accident. The responding officer will create an official police accident report documenting the crash. You need this report for your insurance claim and any legal case. Ask the officer how you can obtain a copy of the report.4. Exchange information with the truck driver
Get the name, contact information, driver's license number, and insurance details of the truck driver. Also, get the name and contact information of the trucking company that employs the driver. Write down the truck's license plate number and any identifying details on the cab.5. Gather evidence at the scene
If you safely can, collect evidence at the accident scene before vehicles move. Use your phone to take photos and videos of:- The positions of all vehicles involved
- Damage to all vehicles from multiple angles
- Any skid marks on the road
- The truck's license plate and any company logos or DOT numbers on the cab
- The accident scene as a whole
- Any debris on the roadway
- Your visible injuries
6. Talk to witnesses
Ask for their names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident. Their statements could provide valuable evidence to support your case. Encourage them to wait for the police to arrive so their account is included in the accident report.7. Watch what you say
Be very careful about any statements you make to the truck driver or trucking company representatives at the scene. Don't apologize or say anything that the insurance company could misconstrued as admitting fault, as this could hurt your case later. Stick to the basic facts when reporting the accident to the police.8. See a doctor
If you don’t go to the hospital from the scene, see a doctor as soon as possible after the accident—preferably the same day. Some common delayed-onset crash injuries like whiplash often don't appear until hours or days later. Tell the doctor you were in an accident and mention all your symptoms. Follow their treatment recommendations.
What to Do in the Days Following a Truck Accident
In the days following your accident, to bolster your truck accident case:1. Notify your insurance company
Call your auto insurance provider to report the accident as soon as possible. Most policies require prompt notification of crashes. But keep the details general and don't admit any fault.2. Order the police report
Obtain a copy of the official police accident report from the responding department. You may need to pay a small fee. The report will contain the officer's assessment of what occurred and may determine fault.3. Keep track of your injuries and losses
Start a folder with all documentation of your injuries and damages from the accident. Include:- Medical bills and records
- Photos of injuries as they heal
- Receipts for prescriptions and assistive devices
- Proof of missed work and lost wages
- Repair estimates and receipts
- A journal documenting your pain levels and physical limitations
4. Be cautious about social media
Don't post photos or details about your accident or injuries on social media. Insurance companies may monitor your accounts to find evidence to minimize or deny your claim, like arguing activities you post about are inconsistent with your accident injuries. Set profiles to private and ask friends not to tag you.5. Contact a truck accident lawyer
Trucking companies and their insurers have teams of powerful lawyers ready to aggressively fight claims. Hire an experienced truck accident attorney to level the playing field. A lawyer can:- Deal with the trucking and insurance companies on your behalf
- Conduct a thorough, independent investigation into the crash
- Gather weighty evidence to build your case, including sending spoliation letters to preserve critical evidence like the truck's black box data
- Identify all potential avenues of compensation
- Handle settlement negotiations to achieve a fair outcome
- File a lawsuit and fight for you in court if needed
6. Be careful when talking to insurance adjusters
An adjuster from the truck driver's or trucking company's insurance provider will likely contact you, wanting a recorded statement. Exercise caution. Politely decline to give a statement or answer any questions until you consult an attorney. They could try to get you to say something to weaken your claim.7. Don't accept a quick settlement offer
If the trucking company's insurance makes an early settlement offer, be wary of accepting it. Their initial offers are almost always lowballing amounts that won't fully account for your damages. Accepting it would require you to waive your right to seek any additional compensation later. Have an attorney review any offers to ensure they are adequate before accepting.