A common misconception is that truck accidents are the same as “every day” automobile collisions. In reality, they’re not: they’re more complex, require immediate action to preserve evidence such as driver’s hours-of-service logs, and call for an experienced and knowledgeable attorney that understands the intricacies of commercial motor vehicle litigation.
Truck accidents are also far more dangerous than typical car wrecks due to the significant size and weight difference between cars and trucks, which means that the impacts and injuries can be much more severe. In addition, truck accidents tend to be more complicated than regular car crashes because there are typically catastrophic injuries, more liable parties, more insurance layers, and the existence of strict federal regulations that have to be investigated.
That’s why knowing what to do after a truck crash is so important. You must act fast, avoid common mistakes, report what happened, handle the insurance steps right, and hire a skilled truck accident lawyer to protect your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Immediate Actions to Take After a Truck Accident
After a truck accident, it is important to take these steps to protect your rights and strengthen your position:
- Check that you and everyone else are safe. If anyone is hurt, call 911 right away. If possible, move vehicles out of the road
- Ask the driver for their contact and insurance information
- Gather the witnesses’ contact information
- Document details of the accident on a piece of paper or record them with a voice recording app on your smartphone while you still remember them clearly
- Take photos and videos of the scene and your injuries. If the truck has a visible DOT number (a number required on commercial trucks), take a photo of it.
Mistakes to Avoid After a Truck Accident
Avoiding these common mistakes can help protect your rights after a truck crash in:
- Do not admit fault
- Do not place blame
- Make sure that you receive the medical care you need, rather than skipping it
- Avoid posting about the accident on any form of social media
Why Truck Accidents Are More Complex Than Car Accidents
Truck crashes are often much more complicated than regular car wrecks, mostly because many different parties and special rules may be involved. This could include the driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, equipment owners (intermodal equipment), dispatchers, etc.
Truck accidents also involve complex federal regulations, which set forth requirements for commercial motor vehicle operators and trucking companies that differ significantly from those governing“private passenger motor vehicle” operators. For example:
- There are no rules governing how long someone can operate their own personal automobile, but there are rules setting strict “hours of service” requirements for tractor-trailer operators.
- In Pennsylvania, a person can operate a “private passenger motor vehicle” with a BAC of .08; however, a tractor trailer driver must have zero alcohol in their system (and none within four hours of starting the shift).
- A private passenger motor vehicle needs to be inspected only once a year. In comparison, a commercial motor vehicle needs to be inspected twice a year at a licensed inspection center, and drivers must complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections each time the vehicle is operated.
- An operator of a private passenger motor vehicle only needs to have a physical exam before getting a permit. A driver of a tractor-trailer needs to have a physical exam done at least once a year, and there are a list of medical conditions that a tractor-trailer driver can not have.
Accidents involving a tractor-trailer also have bigger damages, and more insurance layers. These factors can be hard to understand for most people, which is why it is important to have a truck accident attorney by your side to help you through the complex process.
Legal Considerations
When to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer
If you have been seriously injured in a truck accident, have unclear liability, or there was a commercial vehicle involved in your truck accident case, things can get more complex. When these factors are involved, it can be more difficult to receive the compensation that you deserve. This is why having a truck accident lawyer by your side is important because your lawyer can take away many of the stress factors and complexity that these issues bring about in the legal process such as proving fault and making sure that you are compensated for your injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
What Should I Do After a Semi Truck Hits Me?
You may be wondering what to do after a semi truck accident. After a semi truck accident, it is important to take these steps in order to have the best chance of succeeding in your case and protect your legal rights:
- Make sure that everyone involved in the accident is safe, check for any injuries, and call 911 if necessary
- If possible, move vehicles out of the road
- Ask the driver for their contact and insurance information
- Gather the witnesses’ contact information
- Document details of the accident while you still remember them
- Take photos and videos of the scene and your injuries. Each commercial motor vehicle is required to display a “DOT number:” if possible, take a picture of the DOT number.
- Never admit fault or place blame
- Do not skip getting the medical care you need
- Do not post about the accident on social media
Do I Need a Lawyer For a Truck Accident?
Having a truck accident attorney by your side in your truck accident case is essential to ensure you receive the compensation that you deserve. When your case involves serious injuries, unclear liability, or a commercial vehicle, things can become more complex, which is why it is important to have a commercial vehicle crash attorney prove fault and ensure that you get the proper compensation.
What If I Am Too Injured to Gather Evidence in My Truck Accident Case?
If you are too injured to gather evidence in your truck accident case, you should hire a truck accident attorney to gather the evidence of your case for you. Your truck accident lawyer will take over the stress of the legal process for you, while you continue getting treatment and recovering from your injuries.
Conclusion
Truck accidents are among the most devastating and legally complex types of collisions on the road. From the severity of injuries to the layers of liability and strict federal regulations that govern the trucking industry, every case demands careful investigation and strong legal representation. That’s why partnering with an experienced truck accident lawyer is essential. The best truck accident attorneys understand both state and federal commercial vehicle laws, know how to secure crucial evidence such as driver logs and black-box data, and have the negotiation and litigation skills to hold trucking companies and insurers accountable. Whether you were hit by a semi-truck, delivery vehicle, or 18-wheeler, a skilled commercial vehicle crash attorney can protect your rights and help you recover full and fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. When the stakes are this high, having a trusted truck accident lawyer by your side can make all the difference between a denied claim and a successful recovery.
