Being involved in a truck accident can be one of the most traumatic and overwhelming experiences you’ll ever face.
The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks mean that accidents involving these vehicles often result in severe injuries, significant property damage, and complex legal situations.
In the chaotic moments following a collision, it’s crucial to know exactly what steps to take to protect yourself legally, medically, and financially. The actions you take in the immediate aftermath can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation and ensure your safety.
Step 1: Ensure Safety and Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Your first and most important priority after a truck accident is ensuring the safety of everyone involved. If you’re able to move and it’s safe to do so, try to get yourself and any passengers out of immediate danger.
Turn on your hazard lights and, if possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road or a safe location away from traffic. However, if you suspect you or anyone else has sustained serious injuries, avoid moving unless you’re in immediate danger from oncoming traffic or other hazards.
Call 911 immediately, even if the accident seems minor. Emergency responders need to assess the situation, provide medical care, and secure the scene. When speaking with the dispatcher, clearly state that this was an accident involving a commercial truck, as this information helps them send appropriate resources and personnel.
Be honest about any pain or discomfort you’re experiencing, even if it seems minor. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries, and symptoms of conditions like concussions or internal injuries may not appear immediately.
Even if you feel fine at the scene, it’s essential to seek medical evaluation as soon as possible after the accident. Many serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal bleeding, may not present obvious symptoms initially.
Step 2: Document Everything at the Scene
Once you’ve ensured everyone’s safety and called for help, begin documenting every detail of the accident scene.
Use your smartphone to take extensive photographs from multiple angles, capturing the positions of all vehicles involved, damage to your vehicle and the truck, skid marks, debris, traffic signs or signals, road conditions, and weather conditions. Take wide shots to show the overall scene and close-up photos to capture specific damage details.
If there are any witnesses present, approach them politely and ask for their contact information. Witnesses can provide crucial third-party accounts of what happened, which can be invaluable if there are disputes about fault or the sequence of events. Ask witnesses to briefly describe what they saw, and if they’re willing, ask them to write down their account of the incident while the details are fresh in their memory.
“Document the truck’s information thoroughly, including the license plate number, Department of Transportation number, company name and contact information, and the truck driver’s commercial driver’s license information,” says T. Madden & Associates, P.C., a renowned group of Truck Accident Lawyers in Atlanta.
Take photos of the truck’s identifying information, as commercial vehicles are required to display various permits and identification numbers that will be important for tracking down the responsible parties and their insurance coverage.
Step 3: Exchange Information Carefully
When exchanging information with the truck driver, remain calm and professional, regardless of how you’re feeling emotionally. Collect the driver’s full name, commercial driver’s license number, contact information, and employer information.
Also gather the trucking company’s name, address, phone number, and insurance information. Be aware that large trucking companies often have multiple insurance policies, so don’t assume the driver has complete information about all applicable coverage.
While you should be cooperative in providing your information, be very careful about what you say regarding the accident itself. Avoid making any statements about fault, such as “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see you coming,” even if you’re trying to be polite.
These statements can be misinterpreted as admissions of guilt and used against you later. Stick to factual information about what happened without speculating about causes or accepting blame.
Step 4: Contact Law Enforcement and File a Police Report
Ensure that law enforcement responds to the scene and files an official police report. In most jurisdictions, accidents involving commercial vehicles or accidents resulting in injuries or significant property damage require police involvement.
The responding officers will investigate the scene, interview all parties involved, and create an official accident report that becomes part of the public record.
When speaking with the police officers, provide a clear and honest account of what happened from your perspective. Stick to the facts you observed directly and avoid speculation about what the other driver was thinking or doing before the collision.
If you’re asked about your physical condition, be honest about any pain or discomfort you’re experiencing, even if it seems minor.
Request the report number and information about how to obtain a copy of the police report once it’s completed. This document will be essential for insurance claims and any potential legal action. Police reports often include the officer’s assessment of fault and any citations issued, which can be valuable evidence in determining liability.
Step 5: Notify Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident, ideally while you’re still at the scene or shortly thereafter. Many insurance companies have 24-hour claim reporting hotlines, and prompt notification is often required under the terms of your policy.
When speaking with your insurance representative, provide a factual account of what happened, but avoid speculating about fault or accepting blame.
Be prepared to provide all the information you’ve gathered, including photos, witness contact information, the police report number, and details about the truck and trucking company involved.
Your insurance company will likely assign an adjuster to handle your claim and may arrange for your vehicle to be towed to an approved facility for inspection and repairs.
Step 6: Consult with a Truck Accident Attorney
Given the complexity of truck accident cases and the serious nature of injuries that often result from these collisions, it’s highly advisable to consult with an attorney who specializes in truck accident cases as soon as possible after the incident.
Truck accident cases involve federal and state regulations governing commercial vehicles, complex insurance arrangements, and often multiple liable parties, making them significantly more complicated than typical car accident cases.
An experienced truck accident attorney can help preserve crucial evidence, including the truck’s electronic logging device data, maintenance records, and the driver’s logbooks, which trucking companies are required to maintain but may not preserve indefinitely.
They can also handle communications with insurance companies and ensure that you don’t inadvertently say something that could harm your case.
Conclusion
Having legal representation early in the process can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
