Being in a tractor-trailer accident can change your life, sometimes permanently. The massive size and weight of these commercial vehicles mean that in a collision, they can cause severe injuries and significant property damage when you’re on foot, riding your bicycle or motorcycle, or even traveling in a passenger vehicle.
When a commercial truck driver, trucking company, or tractor-trailer maintenance firm is negligent and you’re seriously injured, there are critical steps you should immediately take to:
Secure medical attention
Preserve evidence
Build a strong claim for fair compensation
This guide provides a clear breakdown of recommended steps after a tractor-trailer accident. With this resource, you’ll have the tools and confidence to take control of the situation and protect your future.
Step 1: Focus on Safety First
Your safety and the safety of others should be your top priority after a trucking accident. Take the steps below to get help and protect yourself and others from additional harm:
Assess the Situation: Carefully check yourself, your passengers (if applicable), and others involved for injuries. If anyone is seriously hurt, do not attempt to move them unless there’s immediate danger, like a fire. Moving someone with potential spinal cord injuries or a traumatic brain injury can worsen their condition.
Move to a Safe Location: If your vehicle is in a dangerous position, such as on a busy highway, move it to the side of the road if possible. If it cannot be moved, stay inside your car with the hazard lights on to alert other drivers.
Signal for Help: Use hazard lights, cones, or road flares (if available) to warn approaching vehicles. Preventing additional accidents is critical, especially in areas with low visibility.
Focusing on safety minimizes further risk and puts you in the best position to handle the situation. If you’re seriously injured and unable to move, get help from bystanders until law enforcement and an ambulance arrive.
Step 2: Call Emergency Services
Contacting 911 is one of the most important steps after a tractor-trailer accident. Emergency responders will help secure the scene, treat injuries, and document the incident. Here’s what you need to do:
Report the Accident: When speaking to the dispatcher, provide clear information about your location, the number of vehicles involved, and whether there are injuries. This helps responders arrive quickly and prepared.
Cooperate with First Responders: Police officers are usually the first to arrive. They will assess the crash scene, take statements, and create an official accident report. When paramedics come, they can evaluate injuries and transport truck accident victims to the hospital.
Get Evaluated On-Site: Allow emergency services to assess you at the scene, even if you don’t feel injured. The adrenaline from the truck accident can mask symptoms, and some bodily injuries, like internal bleeding, require immediate attention.
Follow Up with a Medical Professional: Schedule a thorough medical exam within 24-48 hours, even if you think you’re fine. Conditions like whiplash, concussions, or back injuries may not show symptoms until days later. You also want to create a medical record that can serve as vital evidence later.
Attend all medical appointments and keep a detailed record of your treatments, prescriptions, and medical expenses. These documents will be vital when calculating the full extent of your damages.
Step 3: Document the Semi-Truck Accident Scene Thoroughly
By gathering evidence at the scene, you make your case stronger and provide a clearer picture of what happened. If you’ve suffered catastrophic injuries and need to be transported to the nearest hospital, ask someone for help with the following steps:
Take Photographs: Use your phone to take pictures of all vehicles, damage, and visible injuries. Include close-ups of license plates, the tractor-trailer’s company name, and any road conditions (e.g., skid marks or debris) that may have contributed to the crash.
Capture the Surroundings: Photograph the nearby traffic signals, intersections, and weather conditions. For example, a missing stop sign or an obscured traffic light or traffic sign could support your case.
Record Details Immediately: Write down everything you remember, including the time, location, and sequence of events leading up to the accident. Include descriptions of the truck driver’s behavior, such as speeding or swerving, as these details may become harder to recall over time.
Accurate documentation preserves the facts of the semi-truck accident, helping to establish liability. The more thorough and detailed your records, the stronger your personal injury lawsuit will be.
Step 4: Exchange Information With Others
While waiting for emergency responders, exchange information with all parties involved in the crash. Below is an overview of everything you’ll want to cover in this step:
Obtain Driver Details: Ask the truck driver for their name, contact details, driver’s license, and insurance information. Document the truck’s license plate number and any visible company branding.
Gather Employer Information: Find out the trucking company’s name, as their involvement often complicates liability. They may carry separate insurance coverage that could impact your claim.
Keep the Conversation Neutral: Avoid discussing fault or apologizing, even casually. Statements like “I didn’t see you” or “I’m sorry” can be used against you later, even if they’re not admissions of fault. In Maryland, Virginia, and DC, a contributory negligence law states that if an injured party is found to be even slightly at fault for an accident, they are barred from recovering any damages.
Collecting accurate information ensures you can pursue the correct parties for compensation. Remaining calm and neutral during this exchange protects you from unintended liability.
Step 5: Notify Your Insurance Company
Getting in touch with your insurer promptly is an important part of your post-accident checklist, but you should be careful about what you say. Here are some general guidelines:
Report Basic Facts: Share essential details like the semi-truck accident’s date, time, and location. Avoid providing opinions about fault or speculating about the cause of the crash.
Be Wary of Recorded Statements: Insurance adjusters may ask for a recorded statement, but it’s best to consult your attorney first. Anything you say could be used to reduce your payout.
Reporting the accident keeps you in compliance with your policy and sets the stage for processing your insurance claim. Proceed cautiously to protect your interests as well as your right to compensation for damages.
Step 6: Protect Yourself Against Insurance Firm Tactics
Trucking companies and their insurers often work aggressively to minimize their liability. As we stated earlier, this strategy is alarmingly effective in Maryland, Virginia, and DC, where you can be barred from a financial recovery if you’re even 1% at fault. Protect yourself by:
Avoiding Quick Settlements: Insurance companies may offer a low settlement soon after the truck accident, hoping you’ll accept before understanding the full extent of your injuries or damages. Politely decline until you’ve consulted with an attorney.
Deflecting Manipulative Questions: Insurance adjusters might ask leading questions intended to make you admit fault or downplay your injuries. Always stick to facts and avoid speculation.
By understanding these tactics, you can navigate discussions with confidence. Having an experienced truck accident lawyer handle communications can also level the playing field.
Step 7: Consult an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney
Identifying All Liable Parties: In a tractor-trailer accident, determining fault is rarely straightforward. While the semi-truck driver may seem like the obvious party at fault, other entities often share responsibility. Trucking companies can be held accountable for negligent hiring practices, poor training, or pressuring drivers to work beyond legal hours. If improperly loaded cargo caused the accident, those responsible for securing the load may be liable.
Accessing and Preserving Crucial Evidence: Key evidence in truck accidents often resides with the trucking company or driver, requiring prompt action. Examples include black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records. Your lawyer will also get copies of any police reports and witness statements as well as your medical treatment records.
Negotiating for Maximum Compensation: The damages from a tractor-trailer accident are often far-reaching. An experienced lawyer knows how to calculate the full scope of your losses, including economic damages (medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and any future earnings lost due to long-term injuries) and non-economic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium.
Insurance providers often undervalue personal injury claims or use tactics to reduce payouts. Your truck accident lawyer will advocate aggressively on your behalf by negotiating with insurers or taking the case to court if necessary.
Speak to a Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawyer Today
A tractor-trailer accident can leave you shaken, injured, and uncertain about what to do next. However, following the right steps can protect your health, preserve critical evidence, and set the foundation for a successful truck accident claim. From ensuring safety and documenting the scene to seeking medical attention and consulting a qualified personal injury attorney, each action brings you closer to securing the financial compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured in a tractor-trailer accident, time is of the essence. Evidence can fade, and deadlines can slip by quickly. At DuBoff & Associates, we are here to fight for the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Contact us today for a free initial consultation about your legal options and let us help you put this challenging time behind you.
