What to Do After a Truck Accident: Accident Guide

Whether you’re driving home after an exhausting day of work or an enjoyable day out with friends, the last thing you want to worry about is getting into a car accident. But every time a semi-truck veers slightly in your direction, you might find yourself white-knuckling the steering wheel to give them a wider berth.

Unfortunately, you can only control one vehicle in this scenario—yours.

If the unthinkable happens and you find yourself in an accident, it’s essential to be prepared. Taking immediate action can be the difference between receiving compensation for damages and wishing you’d done more to help your case.

In this article, we explain what to do after a semi truck accident so you can confidently hand over all the information to your team of truck accident lawyers and let them take the wheel from there.

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Step 1: Call 911

What happens when a truck driver has an accident? Immediately following an accident, the first thing to do is call 911. The dispatcher will route the local authorities, including police officers and—if necessary—emergency vehicles, such as an ambulance or firetruck.

Even if the accident seems minor, it’s important for police to file an official police report, whether you hold the truck accident liability or not. It’ll provide you with more details about the accident, which can be helpful when filing an insurance claim.

Step 2: Seek Medical Treatment

Whether you have a few bumps and bruises or feel you may be suffering from more serious injuries, it’s essential for a paramedic to assess your health and well-being. They’ll check for obvious injuries and ones you may not be aware of.

In addition, if you refuse treatment at the accident scene but seek medical attention at a later date, it’s more challenging to prove your injuries are accident-related.

Step 3: Document the Evidence at the Scene

If it’s safe to exit the vehicle and you’re free of injuries, you can collect evidence to use when filing a truck accident claim. Some of the most useful evidence includes:

• Photos of the accident – Take pictures from different angles of the damage to your car. This includes broken windows, deployed airbags, dents, and skid marks on the road.¹ If you’re able, open the hood and take photos of the engine, too. There’s no detail too small, and once they tow away your car, any chances of taking pictures are towed along with it.
• Contact information – After paramedics have assessed everyone, be sure to collect the truck driver’s contact information, such as their:²
  - Full name
  - Address
  - Insurance company and policy number
  - Driver’s license
  - License plate number
  - Type, model, and color of their truck

In addition to gathering the truck driver’s information, ask for the name, phone number, and email address of any witnesses present at the scene. Like the rest of the evidence, you can give this to your insurance company and attorney in case they need to reach out to them for more information.

Step 4: Document the Accident

Collecting the contact information of the other driver and witnesses is a solid start, but there’s more documentation you can complete to help solidify your claim, like:

• Asking police for a copy of the accident report
• Jotting down the names and badge numbers of the police officers at the scene
• Writing a description of the accident in your own words, including the time, the weather conditions, the speed you were traveling, and a general timeline of events
• Drawing a diagram of the semi-truck accident, including the positions of each vehicle during the time of the crash

Step 5: Notify Your Insurance Carrier

If you need your vehicle towed, you can notify your insurance carrier at the scene of the accident. They’ll send a tow truck to take it to a body shop for a repair estimate, which you can also use when filing a claim.

Step 6: Contact a personal injury attorney

Lastly, reach out to truck accident lawyers. They can help you navigate the murky waters of insurance claims and ensure you at least receive the average settlement for your truck accident. Whether your car suffered damage or you have one or more injuries, they’ll work with you to help you receive fair compensation.

When You Need It Most, Hire A Lawyer Who Cares

Being an unwilling participant in a car accident can frazzle even the most seasoned of drivers. But if you know what to do after a truck accident, you can improve your chances of receiving a settlement.

That’s where Mighty comes in. We've put together a list of trusted Truck Accident Attorneys with your best interests in mind. Head over to Mighty's Truck Accident Lawyers Directory to find a trusted attorney in your area today.

Find a personal injury lawyer with your best interests in mind. Contact Mighty for a free case evaluation today.

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Sources

1. Direct Auto. 8 Tips for Taking Pictures After a Car Accident. https://www.directauto.com/learning-center/car-insurance/how-to-take-car-accident-pictures
2. Allstate. What to Do After a Car Accident: A Step-by-Step Guide. https://www.allstate.com/resources/car-insurance/in-case-of-a-car-accident