What Are the Key Steps to Take After a Semi-Truck Accident?
If you or someone you care about has been hurt in a semi-truck accident, we don't have to tell you how the aftermath can feel overwhelming. The size and weight of these vehicles often lead to devastating outcomes, both physically and financially. Knowing what to do in the moments, days, and weeks following such a crash can make a significant difference in protecting your rights and well-being.
At Downs McDonough & Foley, LLC, we help individuals who’ve been injured in truck collisions hold negligent drivers and companies accountable. Whether you’re dealing with medical bills, insurance calls, or lost wages, we’re here to help you work through the legal process and focus on your recovery.
If you’ve been in a semi-truck accident, don’t wait. Contact Downs McDonough & Foley, LLC to discuss your legal options. We serve clients in Durango, Colorado, Telluride, Colorado, Pagosa Springs, Colorado, Cortez, Colorado, and the Four Corners area.
Prioritize Safety and Immediate Medical Needs
After a crash with a semi-truck, your first concern should always be safety—yours and everyone else’s. Even if injuries don’t appear serious at first, the force of impact in these collisions can cause internal injuries that don’t show symptoms right away.
Steps to take immediately after a crash include:
Check for injuries: Look for signs of pain, dizziness, bleeding, or disorientation. If someone is unconscious or seriously hurt, don’t try to move them unless there’s immediate danger.
Call emergency services: Dial 911 to report the accident and request police and paramedics. A formal police report will be crucial later.
Move to a safe area: If possible and safe to do so, move vehicles out of the flow of traffic to prevent further injury or damage.
Turn on hazard lights: Alert other drivers to the situation, especially in low-visibility or high-traffic areas.
Once emergency responders arrive, cooperate with medical personnel and law enforcement. Even if you feel okay, accept medical evaluation. Adrenaline may mask symptoms that could become worse later.
Gather Important Evidence at the Scene
Once your immediate safety is addressed, it’s time to start building a record of the crash. This information will become key to any insurance claim or legal action.
Be sure to collect the following details if you’re able:
Driver and company information: Get the name, license, employer, and insurance details of the semi-truck driver.
Vehicle and plate numbers: Record the truck’s license plate, DOT number, and trailer information.
Photos and videos: Take pictures of damage to all vehicles, the surrounding area, skid marks, signage, and injuries.
Witness statements: Ask for names and contact information from anyone who saw the crash. Eyewitness accounts often support your version of events.
Police report number: Once officers have responded, ask for the report or incident number. You’ll need this later when filing claims.
If you’re unable to collect this evidence because of injuries, a lawyer can often conduct an investigation on your behalf.
Avoid Admitting Fault or Speculating
Even though it may feel natural to apologize or explain what happened, saying the wrong thing after a semi-truck accident could impact your case. Insurance companies often use recorded statements against injured drivers, even when they’re not at fault.
To protect yourself after a collision:
Don’t admit guilt: Keep conversations factual and avoid saying anything that could imply blame.
Don’t speculate: If you’re unsure about what caused the accident, say so. Guessing can lead to problems later.
Wait to speak to insurers: If the truck company’s insurance adjuster contacts you quickly, consider referring them to your lawyer before making a statement.
This is especially important in semi-truck crashes, where multiple parties—drivers, employers, and manufacturers—could all share responsibility.
Seek Medical Care and Document Your Injuries
Whether or not you were treated at the scene, follow up with a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding, may not show up right away. Seeing a doctor not only helps your recovery but also creates a clear link between the crash and your injuries.
When getting medical care, describe the crash. Let your doctor know you were in a semi-truck accident. This context helps with proper evaluation. Follow the treatment plan, attend follow-ups, take prescribed medications, and follow restrictions.
Gaps in care may be used to argue your injuries aren’t serious. Keep records. Hold on to bills, imaging results, prescriptions, and written instructions. These documents will be important later for any compensation claim.
Having a consistent medical history tied to the crash makes your case stronger.
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
Even though the semi-truck accident may not have been your fault, most insurance policies require timely reporting. Failing to do so could lead to claim delays or even denial.
When reporting the crash:
Stick to the facts: Tell your insurer what happened without offering opinions or assumptions.
Avoid recorded statements if unsure: It’s okay to say you’re still collecting information. You don’t need to provide a full statement until you’re ready.
Ask about your policy benefits: Depending on your coverage, you may be entitled to rental reimbursement, medical payments, or collision repair assistance.
At this stage, you may also begin receiving calls from the truck driver’s insurance. You’re not required to speak to them directly, and it’s often best not to.
Be Aware of Potential Liability Factors
Crashes involving semi-trucks are often more legally complicated than standard car accidents. Multiple people or companies may be at fault. That’s why it’s crucial to understand what might have caused the crash beyond what was obvious at the scene.
Common liability issues in semi-truck accidents include:
Driver fatigue: Drivers who exceed legal hour limits may be impaired by exhaustion.
Improper maintenance: Mechanical failures due to neglected maintenance can lead to serious wrecks.
Overloaded or unsecured cargo: Shifting loads or excess weight can make trucks harder to control.
Distracted driving: Texting, eating, or using dispatch devices can all cause crashes.
Poor training or hiring practices: Trucking companies may be liable if they fail to vet or train drivers properly.
Uncovering these issues often takes a thorough investigation, including reviewing driver logs, maintenance records, and black box data.
Watch for Early Settlement Offers
It’s not uncommon for trucking companies or their insurers to reach out with a fast settlement offer. They may hope to close the case before the full extent of your injuries or losses becomes clear.
Before accepting any money, review all injuries. Some symptoms worsen over time, and early offers may not account for future medical care. Calculate lost income, including time off work, reduced hours, or long-term career impacts. Consider non-economic losses; pain, trauma, or reduced quality of life can also be compensable.
Talk to a lawyer first. Once you accept an offer, you typically can’t pursue more money—even if your condition worsens.
Accepting too early often means receiving less than what you’re truly owed after a semi-truck accident.
Know the Time Limits to Take Legal Action
Every state has time limits—called statutes of limitation—that control how long you have to file a lawsuit after a truck accident. In Colorado, you usually have three years from the date of the crash to bring a claim involving a motor vehicle. However, it’s always better to start the process sooner rather than later.
Delays can cause:
Loss of key evidence: Camera footage, black box data, and witness memories can disappear quickly.
Missed deadlines: Filing too late can bar you from recovery, no matter how strong your case is.
Added stress: The longer you wait, the harder it may be to prove what happened and why.
Talking with a lawyer soon after your semi-truck accident gives you the strongest chance of building a solid case.
Reach Out to a Lawyer
If you’ve been in a semi-truck accident, you don’t have to deal with the legal and insurance process on your own. Downs McDonough & Foley, LLC can help you work through the aftermath and move forward with confidence. We serve clients in Durango, Colorado; Telluride, Colorado; Pagosa Springs, Colorado; Cortez, Colorado; and the Four Corners area. Contact us today to discuss your options and protect your rights.