Learn what to do after a truck crash to protect your health, preserve evidence, and safeguard your legal rights.
Truck crashes can be shocking, overwhelming, and life-altering. Knowing what to do after a truck crash can make a significant difference in protecting your health, preserving crucial evidence, and safeguarding your legal rights. Acting quickly is essential — every minute matters.
Ensure Your Safety and Get Medical Help
Your safety comes first. If possible, move to a safe location and call 911 immediately. Knowing what to do immediately after a truck crash can prevent further injury and ensure proper documentation.
Remember, some injuries aren’t immediately obvious. Closed head injuries, internal bleeding, or traumatic injuries may appear hours or days later. Getting checked by medical professionals ensures you receive the care you need while creating an official record of your injuries, which is critical for any future legal claim.
Document the Scene and Preserve Evidence
If you are able, gather as much information as possible:
- Capture images of vehicles, skid marks, roadway conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Gather names and contact information from witnesses.
- Record the truck’s identifying details: company name, license plate, and truck number.
Modern trucks have a wealth of electronic data, including dashcams, GPS, and driving logs. This data can reveal information about vehicle speed, braking, and driver distractions.
However, if you are seriously injured or unable to move safely, it may not be possible to gather this information yourself. This is why contacting a truck accident attorney immediately is so important. They can send out preservation letters, ensuring critical evidence is protected before it’s lost or erased.
Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney
Truck accidents are complex. Federal regulations, trucking company policies, and insurance tactics make these cases very different from typical car accidents. A lawyer who focuses exclusively on truck crashes knows exactly what to preserve and how to act quickly to protect your rights.
From preserving telematics data to handling insurance companies, your attorney will act immediately on your behalf, giving you peace of mind while you focus on recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can’t document the scene myself because I’m injured?
Even if you can’t gather evidence yourself, a knowledgeable lawyer will take the necessary steps after a truck crash to secure dashcam footage, telematics data, and witness statements. They send preservation letters, coordinate with experts, and ensure critical evidence, such as telematics, dash cam footage, and truck data, is protected before it’s lost.
How soon should I contact an attorney after a truck crash?
It is best to contact a truck crash attorney as soon as possible, ideally within hours. Insurance companies often investigate immediately, and data from the truck — such as electronic logs and dashcams — can be overwritten or deleted if not preserved quickly.
Do I have to pay anything up front to hire a truck accident lawyer?
Most truck crash attorneys, including Florida Truck Attorneys, work on a contingent fee basis. This means you pay nothing unless they recover money for you. You don’t need to worry about upfront legal fees while focusing on recovery.
What kinds of evidence do attorneys look for in truck crash cases?
Critical evidence includes:
- Dashcam footage and telematics data
- Truck company records and driver logs
- Witness statements and photographs of the scene
- Medical records documenting injuries
An attorney who focuses on truck crash law knows how to secure all of this efficiently, even if you’re unable to collect it yourself.
Why can’t I deal with the insurance company on my own?
Insurance companies often act quickly to minimize payouts. They may send adjusters to the scene within hours and use tactics to protect their financial interests. A truck accident attorney will ensure that your rights are protected and that evidence is preserved, which can dramatically increase your recovery.
Protect Your Rights – Act Quickly
If you’ve been seriously injured, knowing what to do after being hit by a truck is critical. Florida has a two-year statute of limitations for truck crash cases, but the sooner you act, the better your chances of preserving evidence and building a strong claim.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck crash, don’t wait. Contact our team right away for expert guidance and legal protection. Your health, evidence, and future depend on it.