What to do When Injured by a Big Commercial Truck

Vehicular wrecks involving large trucks occur frequently. They are far deadlier or involve serious injuries than wrecks involving just cars. Factors such as bad weather, driver error, and vehicle trouble lead to truck accidents.

But what do you do when you are in a truck accident?

Seek immediate medical care, even if you think your injuries are insignificant, and follow up to make sure you have no external or internal medical issues. Do not flee the accident scene. Stop if someone has been injured from the wreck. Call 911 or local police or law enforcement; they will document the incident, treat the injured, and help determine how the wreck occurred. Cooperate with law enforcement and share relevant information. It is preferable not to discuss the wreck with others, except that you should speak to law enforcement if asked. At the time of the wreck, often people are upset, distraught and sometimes confused and disoriented and thus may not have sorted out the facts or remembered exactly what actually happened.

Unless there is a grave emergency, such as a car is burning and a person is trapped inside, do not try to be a hero and carry an injured individual to safety; emergency responders will take care of that. Leave your damaged vehicle at the scene, if it is still safe to drive (often it is not); it may be evidence for an investigation. A tow truck will transport it later. Move to the side of the road or a safe area if possible. Sometimes, fast moving vehicles, with their drivers unaware of the accident, will plow into a vehicle that is stopped on the interstate.

When you are involved in a truck wreck, insurance adjusters or agents for the trucking company often flock to the site, but do not talk to them or agree to anything unless they are your own insurance provider. After the wreck, contact your insurance provider and inform your provider about the wreck.  Have a record of your insurance information – your insurance card – with you. If you are able and can do so safely, help police and your own case document the scene: photograph or write down the other party’s or parties’ insurance’s contact information (full name, physical address, telephone numbers, email addresses), the other drivers’ license information (license number and state where the license was issued) and the name of their insurance carriers, all involved vehicles’ license plates and identification numbers, witnesses’ contact information, and the wreck site’s layout and location. Get the names and telephone numbers – and as much contact information as possible — of police, troopers, witnesses, tow truck drivers and emergency responders when possible and practical.

Take pictures of the scene and vehicles – cars and trucks – involved.   Most smart phones have the ability to take pictures and videos.   Some people carry a camera or two in their glove boxes for such emergencies, but you can use any type of camera from an inexpensive disposable camera to a cellphone.

If you drive a car, how can you avoid a truck accident? Drive especially carefully when semi-trucks are nearby; they weigh far more than passenger vehicles, are not as maneuverable as your vehicle, and cannot brake or swerve as easily as your vehicle. In an accident involving a passenger vehicle and a big truck, almost always the passenger vehicle and its occupants are hurt far worse than the truck and the truck driver. Don’t

When driving, don’t move suddenly in front of a fast moving truck and don’t tailgate behind a big truck. Visibility is key; if a truck’s mirrors are not visible to you, then your vehicle is not visible to the trucker. Remember: Timing is important; allow for enough time for you to suddenly stop if an emergency lies ahead. Refrain from driving aggressively and from “cutting off” a semi-truck, as such driving could decrease the safe distance needed for the truck to suddenly stop in an emergency.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) points out that wrecks involving big rigs and passengers vehicles result from poorly-trained or inexperienced truck drivers, driver fatigue, truck drivers who speed, fail to abide by traffic laws, drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or drive dangerously, recklessly, or aggressively, or because trucks are overstuffed or oversized, or not maintained, their brakes fail or other mechanical failure, or bad weather and road construction.

Often, within days after a bad truck-passenger vehicle wreck, an adjuster for the trucking company may pay a visit and try to settle the case. Almost always, the offer will be a low-ball. You should consult an experienced lawyer if you are or a loved one are involved in wreck involving a big truck.

If you or a loved one are involved in a truck accident, know that you have legal remedies and rights available to you. The trucking companies generally must pay for accidents that their trucks or drivers cause.

If you have questions or need additional information, contact Attorney Perry A. Craft. He will fight for you every step of the way.