Learn what you should do after being involved in a semi truck accident and how Javier Perez, Nuestro Campeón, can help you.
Being involved in an accident with a semi truck is a traumatic experience that can leave you with severe injuries, significant property damage, and substantial uncertainty about what steps to take next. Due to the size and weight of these vehicles, accidents are often devastating, and in many cases, the party at fault attempts to evade their legal responsibility.
However, you do not have to face this situation alone. Knowing what to do immediately after the accident can make the difference between obtaining justice and losing the compensation that could significantly impact your recovery.
Seek medical attention immediately
The first and most important action you should take after an accident involving a semi truck is to seek medical attention, even if you feel that your injuries are not serious. Accidents with these types of vehicles often cause internal injuries or damage that may not manifest right away, such as concussions, hemorrhages, or soft-tissue injuries. Delaying medical care can endanger your health and also weaken your future legal claim.
When a doctor evaluates you immediately after the accident, an official record of your injuries is created. This is essential for demonstrating that they were indeed caused by the crash and not by a later event. You will also receive an appropriate treatment plan that will aid in your recovery. Do not ignore symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, stiffness, numbness, or difficulty breathing. Every minute is crucial. Your well-being and your legal case depend on obtaining prompt medical attention.
Contact the authorities
After finding a safe location and ensuring that you are able to communicate, you must call the authorities. In most semi truck accidents, the law requires police to come to the scene to document what occurred. The police report will be one of the most important pieces of evidence in your case, as it includes information about the parties involved, road conditions, possible traffic law violations, and, in some cases, the preliminary finding of responsibility of the truck driver.
Allow the officers to do their job and provide only objective information. Do not speculate, do not give opinions, and do not admit fault. Your participation should be limited to describing what happened from your perspective. Additionally, it is important to request a copy of the police report as soon as it becomes available, as this document will support your claim with the insurance company and will be very useful to the semi truck accident lawyer.
Gather evidence
If your physical condition allows it, gathering evidence at the scene is crucial to strengthening your case. Take photos and videos of everything you consider important: vehicle damage, the position of the vehicles, the truck’s license plates, road conditions, traffic signs, skid marks, and any other element that may have played a role in the accident. This type of visual evidence can be decisive when proving negligence.
Additionally, try to obtain the truck driver’s information, including their name, the company they work for, insurance information, and license number. If there are witnesses, request their names and phone numbers. Independent testimonies often play a key role in supporting your version of events. Remember that evidence can easily disappear: vehicles are removed, conditions change, and witnesses go on with their lives. What you document at that moment may become essential to your claim.
Do not admit fault or speculate about what happened
After an accident, it is common to feel confused or guilty, even when you did nothing wrong. However, it is vital that you do not admit responsibility or make comments about what “might have happened.” Anything you say at the scene, or later to the insurance company, can be used against you during the investigation.
Trucking companies and their insurers are known for acting quickly to minimize their liability. Their representatives may try to obtain statements that weaken your case. For this reason, limit your communication to what is strictly necessary. Do not explain, do not apologize, and do not make assumptions. Even common phrases such as “I didn’t see them” or “I think I was going fast” can harm you. Stay calm and wait to speak with an experienced semi truck accident lawyer.
Notify your insurance company
After the truck accident, you must notify your insurance company within a reasonable period of time. Most policies require the insured to report any vehicular accident as soon as possible. This does not mean you must provide detailed statements; you only need to communicate that an incident occurred and provide basic information.
When speaking with your insurer, follow the same principle: do not speculate, do not admit fault, and do not provide details that could be interpreted against you. Limit yourself to stating the facts objectively. If the insurance company requests a recorded statement, it is advisable to wait until you have the guidance of a semi truck accident lawyer to avoid mistakes that could harm your claim.
If you report the accident promptly, your insurer can open a file, coordinate the repair of your vehicle, and, in certain situations, cover initial medical expenses. However, keep in mind that your insurer does not defend your legal interests, so you must proceed with caution.
Contact a semi truck accident lawyer
Accidents involving semi trucks are more complex compared to common vehicle collisions. They involve multiple responsible parties, federal regulations, aggressive insurance companies, and technical evidence that must be carefully analyzed. For this reason, contacting a semi truck accident lawyer as soon as possible is one of the most important decisions you can make.
An experienced lawyer knows what evidence must be preserved, how to request records from the trucking company, what documents to demand, and what mistakes to avoid so your claim is not affected. Additionally, they will handle all communication with insurers, protecting you from tactics aimed at reducing the value of your case.
Most accident lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing up front. They only collect if your case is won. This means you can obtain high-quality legal representation without worrying about immediate costs.
Trust Javier Perez, Nuestro Campeón, and his team to deliver justice
Now that you know what to do immediately after an accident with a semi truck, it is time to protect your rights and act decisively. Do not face trucking companies or insurers on your own, as they will attempt to minimize your claim. Javier Perez and his team can support you at every step and strengthen your case from the beginning.
Schedule a free consultation and begin today on the path toward the justice and compensation you deserve. Your recovery and your future depend on it.