What to Do After a Truck Accident

Being involved in a truck accident in San Antonio can be an overwhelming and terrifying experience that leaves you confused about what steps to take next. The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks mean that collisions often result in catastrophic injuries, extensive property damage, and complex legal issues that differ significantly from typical car accidents. Knowing what to do in the crucial minutes and hours following a truck accident can protect your safety, preserve critical evidence, and safeguard your legal rights while laying the foundation for a successful compensation claim.

Ensure Safety and Call for Emergency Help

Your immediate priority after a truck accident must be ensuring the safety of everyone involved and getting medical attention for anyone who has been injured. Truck accidents often result in serious injuries due to the massive size and weight differences between commercial vehicles and passenger cars, making prompt medical response crucial for saving lives and preventing further harm.

Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request emergency medical assistance, even if injuries appear minor initially. Adrenaline and shock can mask serious injuries that may not become apparent until later, and some injuries common in truck accidents, such as traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding, may not have obvious external symptoms.

If it’s safe to do so and the vehicles are blocking traffic, turn on hazard lights and move to the shoulder or side of the road. However, be extremely cautious about moving around the accident scene, as truck accidents often involve debris, spilled cargo, or hazardous materials that can create additional dangers.

On San Antonio’s busy highways like I-35, I-10, or Loop 1604, secondary accidents are a serious risk when vehicles remain in traffic lanes. If you cannot safely move your vehicle, exit carefully and move to a safe location away from traffic while waiting for emergency responders to arrive.

Contact Law Enforcement and Cooperate with the Investigation

Texas law requires reporting of accidents involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000, and truck accidents almost always meet these criteria. The San Antonio Police Department or appropriate law enforcement agency will respond to investigate the accident and create an official accident report that becomes crucial evidence for your claim.

When speaking with the responding officer, provide factual information about what you observed and experienced, but avoid speculating about fault or making statements that could be interpreted as admitting responsibility. Please stick to the facts of what happened and let the officer conduct their own investigation to determine fault.

Commercial truck accidents often involve federal regulations and complex liability issues that may require specialized investigation by authorities familiar with trucking industry standards. The responding officer may call for additional investigators or inspectors depending on the circumstances of the accident.

Be sure to obtain the police report number and information about how to obtain a copy of the completed report. This document will contain important details about the accident, the officer’s assessment of fault, and contact information for all parties involved.

Gather Comprehensive Information and Evidence

While waiting for emergency responders and during the investigation process, gather as much information as possible about the accident, the truck, the driver, and the trucking company involved. This information becomes crucial evidence for establishing liability and building a strong compensation claim.

Exchange contact and insurance information with the truck driver, including their name, commercial driver’s license number, phone number, and insurance company information. Also obtain information about the trucking company, including the company name, address, phone number, and Department of Transportation (DOT) number displayed on the truck.

Document the truck’s information thoroughly, including the license plate number, DOT number, vehicle identification number if visible, and any company names or logos displayed on the vehicle. Take note of whether the truck was carrying cargo and what type of trailer was involved.

Take extensive photographs of the accident scene from multiple angles, including wide shots showing the overall scene and close-up images of vehicle damage, the truck’s position, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. The massive damage often caused by truck accidents makes photographic evidence particularly important for demonstrating the severity of the collision.

If there are witnesses to the accident, obtain their contact information and ask for brief statements about what they observed. Independent witnesses can provide crucial testimony about how the accident occurred, especially when dealing with commercial trucking companies that may have significant resources to dispute liability.

Seek Immediate and Comprehensive Medical Attention

Even if you feel relatively uninjured immediately after a truck accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible. The forces involved in truck accidents are enormous, and serious injuries may not manifest symptoms immediately. Some injuries, particularly traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal injuries, can have delayed onset symptoms that don’t appear for hours or days.

Be completely honest with medical providers about any pain, discomfort, or unusual sensations you’re experiencing, regardless of how minor they may seem. Medical records created immediately after the accident carry significant weight in legal proceedings because they document your condition before insurance considerations or legal strategies become factors.

Follow all recommended medical treatments and attend all scheduled follow-up appointments. Truck accident injuries often require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment, making comprehensive medical documentation essential for your legal claim.

Keep detailed records of all medical care you receive, including emergency room visits, doctor appointments, diagnostic tests, prescription medications, physical therapy sessions, and any medical equipment you need for recovery.

Notify Insurance Companies Carefully

Contact your insurance company to report the accident promptly, as required by your policy terms. However, be cautious about providing detailed recorded statements or accepting quick settlement offers without first consulting with an attorney experienced in truck accident cases.

The truck driver’s insurance company or the trucking company’s insurer will likely contact you quickly after the accident. Remember that these companies represent the interests of the truck driver and trucking company, not your interests, and they will work to minimize any payout they have to make for your claim.

Commercial trucking insurance involves much higher policy limits than typical auto insurance, but it also involves complex coverage issues and aggressive defense tactics that require experienced legal representation to navigate effectively.

Preserve Evidence and Documentation

Truck accidents involve unique evidence preservation challenges due to federal regulations governing the trucking industry and the complex corporate structures common among trucking companies. Acting quickly to preserve evidence is crucial because trucking companies are only required to maintain certain records for specific periods, and important evidence can be lost if not properly preserved.

Keep detailed records of everything related to the accident and your injuries, including medical bills, prescription receipts, documentation of lost wages, and records of any other expenses related to the accident such as rental car costs or transportation to medical appointments.

Save all correspondence with insurance companies, including letters, emails, and notes from phone conversations. Document your injuries’ impact on your daily life, including pain levels, physical limitations, and how the accident has affected your work, relationships, and activities.

Avoid posting anything about the accident on social media platforms, as insurance companies routinely monitor accident victims’ social media accounts looking for evidence that could be used to dispute injury claims or minimize settlement values.

Understand the Complexity of Truck Accident Claims

Truck accident claims involve numerous complexities that don’t exist in typical car accident cases. Federal regulations governing commercial trucking, multiple potentially liable parties, and corporate defense strategies make these cases significantly more challenging than standard motor vehicle claims.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes strict regulations on commercial truck drivers and trucking companies regarding driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement. Violations of these regulations can establish negligence and liability in truck accident cases.

Multiple parties may bear liability for truck accidents, including the truck driver, trucking company, vehicle owner, cargo loader, maintenance provider, and potentially parts manufacturers. Identifying all liable parties and their insurance coverage requires thorough investigation and legal expertise.

When to Contact a Truck Accident Attorney

Given the complexity of truck accident cases and the resources that trucking companies dedicate to defending these claims, contacting an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident is crucial for protecting your rights and maximizing your recovery.

Truck accident attorneys understand the federal regulations governing the industry, know how to preserve crucial evidence before it’s destroyed, and have experience dealing with the aggressive defense tactics commonly employed by trucking companies and their insurers.

Legal representation becomes particularly important when dealing with serious injuries, disputed liability, or when trucking companies attempt to shift blame or minimize their responsibility for accidents.

Avoid Common Mistakes

Several common mistakes can significantly harm truck accident claims. Never admit fault or make statements that could be interpreted as accepting responsibility, even if you believe you may have contributed to the accident. Fault determination in truck accidents is complex and should be left to qualified investigators and legal professionals.

Don’t sign any documents from trucking companies or their insurance carriers without first consulting with an attorney. These documents may limit your legal rights or provide the companies with broad access to your personal information.

Avoid delaying medical treatment or missing scheduled appointments, as insurance companies often use gaps in medical care to argue that injuries weren’t serious or weren’t caused by the accident.

Why Choose J.A. Davis & Associates, LLP

At J.A. Davis & Associates, LLP, we understand the unique challenges that truck accident victims face in San Antonio. Our experienced attorneys have successfully handled numerous truck accident cases and understand the federal regulations, complex liability issues, and aggressive defense tactics involved in these claims.

We act quickly to preserve crucial evidence, conduct thorough investigations, and build strong cases that hold trucking companies accountable for their negligence. Our resources and expertise allow us to take on large trucking companies and their insurance carriers while providing personalized attention to each client.

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for your case. This allows you to access experienced legal representation without upfront costs during what is likely a financially challenging time.

Don’t let the complexity of truck accident claims overwhelm you during your recovery. Contact J.A. Davis & Associates, LLP at (210) 732‑1062 or visit our office at 2914 Pleasanton Road, San Antonio, TX 78221, immediately after your truck accident to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can protect your rights while you focus on healing from your injuries.