What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?
A truck accident can be more serious and more complicated than a regular car crash. If you were hit by a semi truck, delivery truck, box truck, or commercial vehicle, the steps you take early can protect your health and your claim.
Truck accident cases often involve serious injuries, commercial insurance policies, company records, driver logs, maintenance issues, and multiple responsible parties. If the crash happened in St. Louis, Kansas City, or anywhere in Missouri, it is important to act quickly and carefully.
Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different
A crash involving a commercial truck is not always handled like a normal car accident. The truck driver may be working for a company. The truck may be owned by one company and operated by another. Cargo may have been loaded by a separate business. Maintenance may have been handled by a contractor.
That means the case may involve more than one responsible party and more than one insurance policy.
Truck accident cases may involve
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The company that owns the truck
- The trailer owner
- A cargo loading company
- A maintenance contractor
- A parts manufacturer
- Multiple insurance companies
Call 911 Immediately
After a truck accident, call 911. These crashes can cause serious injuries and major roadway hazards.
Police can secure the scene, help injured people, speak with drivers and witnesses, and create an official crash report.
When speaking with police, stick to facts. Do not guess about speed, distance, or fault if you are unsure.
Get Medical Treatment Right Away
Truck accidents can cause serious injuries, even when pain is not obvious immediately. Adrenaline can hide symptoms for hours or days.
Common truck accident injuries include
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee injuries
- Emotional trauma
Medical records also help connect your injuries to the crash. If you delay treatment, the insurance company may argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident.
Collect Truck and Driver Information
If you are physically able, collect information from the truck driver and the commercial vehicle.
Information to collect
- Truck driver’s name
- Driver’s license information
- Insurance information
- Trucking company name
- Employer information
- License plate number
- Trailer plate number
- Truck number or unit number
- Company markings on the truck
- DOT number if visible
Do not argue with the driver. Gather information calmly and wait for police if there is disagreement.
Take Photos and Videos
Truck accident scenes can change quickly. Vehicles may be moved, debris may be cleared, and road conditions may change.
Photograph these details if possible
- Damage to your vehicle
- Damage to the truck and trailer
- Vehicle positions
- Skid marks
- Debris on the road
- Traffic signs and signals
- Weather and road conditions
- Company names on the truck
- Visible injuries
- Nearby cameras
Injured in a Truck Accident in Missouri?
M.E. Law Group helps injured people in St. Louis, Kansas City, and across Missouri understand their rights after serious truck accidents. Commercial vehicle claims require fast evidence preservation and careful insurance handling.
Get Witness Information
Witnesses can be very important in truck accident cases. A witness may confirm whether the truck driver was speeding, drifting, following too closely, making an unsafe turn, or failing to stop.
Ask witnesses for their names and phone numbers. Do not assume the police will collect every witness.
Truck Accident Evidence Can Disappear
Truck accident cases may involve evidence controlled by the trucking company. That evidence should be preserved quickly.
Important truck accident evidence may include
- Driver logs
- Hours of service records
- Truck inspection reports
- Maintenance records
- Electronic truck data
- GPS records
- Dispatch records
- Cargo loading records
- Driver qualification files
- Camera footage
A lawyer can help request preservation of important records before they are lost or deleted.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck crashes can happen for many reasons. The cause matters because it helps identify who may be responsible.
Common causes include
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Unsafe lane changes
- Poor truck maintenance
- Brake failure
- Tire failure
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Inadequate driver training
Be Careful With Insurance Companies
Trucking companies and their insurers may begin investigating quickly. Their goal is to protect themselves and reduce what they may have to pay.
Be careful with recorded statements, early settlement offers, and broad medical authorization forms.
Before giving detailed statements, make sure you understand your rights.
What Compensation May Be Available?
A truck accident claim may include compensation for the financial, physical, and emotional harm caused by the crash.
Possible damages may include
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital bills
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Vehicle damage
- Loss of normal life activities
Mistakes to Avoid After a Truck Accident
Avoid these mistakes
- Leaving without calling police
- Waiting too long to get medical care
- Failing to photograph the truck
- Not getting witness information
- Giving a recorded statement too early
- Accepting a quick settlement
- Assuming only the driver is responsible
- Waiting too long to preserve evidence
How M.E. Law Group Can Help
Truck accident cases require careful investigation and quick action. A lawyer can help identify responsible parties, preserve evidence, review insurance coverage, calculate damages, and communicate with insurance companies.
M.E. Law Group helps injured people understand what to do after serious truck accidents in Missouri.
If you were hit by a commercial vehicle, do not let the trucking company or insurance adjuster control the story without a full investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are truck accident cases different from car accident cases?
Yes. Truck accident cases may involve commercial insurance, company records, federal safety issues, maintenance records, and multiple responsible parties.
Who can be responsible for a truck accident?
The truck driver, trucking company, truck owner, trailer owner, cargo loader, maintenance contractor, or another party may be responsible depending on the facts.
Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?
Be careful. Avoid detailed or recorded statements before understanding your rights because your words may be used to reduce your claim.
Why is evidence preservation important?
Trucking companies may control important records such as driver logs, electronic data, dispatch records, and maintenance documents. These should be preserved quickly.
Can M.E. Law Group help after a truck accident?
M.E. Law Group helps injured people in Missouri understand their options after serious commercial vehicle accidents.
This page is for general information only and does not create an attorney client relationship. Every truck accident case is different. Speak with a qualified Missouri personal injury lawyer about your specific situation.