Your life can change instantly when your vehicle collides with an 18-wheeler or semi-truck. The confusion, fear, and physical pain are overwhelming. And as you try to make sense of what just happened, one question likely weighs on your mind: What do I do next and what to do after a truck accident.
Knowing what to do after a truck accident isn’t just about ticking off legal boxes. It’s about protecting your health, preserving your rights, and building a path toward physical, emotional, and financial recovery.
At Evans Litigation & Trial Law, LLC, we understand how devastating these accidents can be. With over 20 years of legal experience—including past work for insurance companies—our firm helps injury victims across Georgia take decisive action and pursue justice after a crash. We know how to build truck accident claims that insurers take seriously.
Read on to learn what to do after an 18-wheeler accident to protect yourself and your future.
How Do Truck Accident Lawsuits Work and What Steps Should I Take?
The aftermath of a truck accident is often chaotic. Knowing what to prioritize between medical emergencies and emotional distress can be challenging. These steps will help you stay focused and protect your right to compensation.
Call Emergency Services
Your priority after a truck accident should always be safety and medical care. Call 911 immediately, even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured. Large commercial trucks often cause hidden internal injuries that may not be obvious right away, such as traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding.
Emergency responders will also document the scene, creating a public record of the incident that can support your legal claim later.
Take Photos or Video
If you’re physically able, start documenting the accident scene as soon as it’s safe. Use your phone to take wide-angle shots, close-ups, and videos. Focus on:
- Damage to all vehicles involved;
- Road conditions (wet pavement, debris, skid marks);
- Traffic signs or lights;
- Your injuries (if visible); and
- The truck’s license plate, company markings, or USDOT number.
This evidence can disappear quickly. Weather, traffic, or cleanup crews may alter the scene within minutes. Visual documentation can play a crucial role in determining fault and showing the severity of the impact.
Gather Contact Information
Truck accident claims often involve multiple parties, so gathering accurate contact information is critical. Exchange names, phone numbers, and insurance information with the truck driver. You should also ask for:
- The trucking company’s name and contact details,
- The truck’s vehicle registration number,
- The name of any shipping company if cargo was involved,
- Contact information from any other drivers or passengers, and
- Names and phone numbers of eyewitnesses.
Witness statements can support your version of events and may help identify negligence. If you wait too long, it may become difficult or impossible to track these people down.
Get the Police Report
When officers respond to a crash, they file a police accident report. This document often includes information about the crash, such as statements from drivers and witnesses and notations about traffic violations or citations issued.
Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accident claims are legally more complex than typical car accident claims. Federal safety regulations, overlapping insurance policies, and corporate defense teams make these cases difficult to handle independently. An experienced truck accident lawyer can:
- Launch a prompt, independent investigation;
- Preserve key evidence (like black box data or maintenance logs);
- Identify all potentially liable parties; and
- Deal with insurance companies so you don’t have to.
Hiring a lawyer early gives you a strategic advantage. It also helps you avoid missing critical legal deadlines or falling for lowball settlement offers.
Damage Calculation
You and your lawyer must determine what your injuries and losses are truly worth. This calculation can include:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost wages,
- Reduced earning capacity,
- Long-term care or rehabilitation needs,
- Pain and suffering,
- Emotional distress, and
- Diminished quality of life.
Your attorney will recommend waiting until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) before valuing your claim. This wait allows for a more accurate assessment of how the accident has impacted your life and how much compensation you should seek.
Send Demand Letter
Once your damages are documented, your lawyer will prepare a formal demand letter to the truck driver’s insurance company (or companies). This letter outlines:
- The facts of the crash,
- The evidence proving liability,
- A breakdown of your financial and personal losses, and
- The total compensation amount being requested.
This step starts negotiations and signals that you are serious about recovering what you’re owed.
Take note: Under Georgia law, you generally have a two-year deadline to file a truck accident claim. Otherwise, you may be barred from recovery.
Negotiations
The insurance company will respond after receiving the demand letter. They typically send a counteroffer, which begins the negotiation phase. Your attorney will:
- Handle all communication with your insurer,
- Push back on lowball offers,
- Use expert opinions to support your claim, and
- Keep you informed about progress and options.
With an experienced legal advocate guiding the process, you’ll be positioned to make informed decisions at every turn.
Settlement or Trial
Most truck accident claims are resolved through a negotiated settlement. However, if the trucking company or insurer refuses to be reasonable, your attorney may file a lawsuit and prepare for trial.
What to Do After a Semi-Truck Accident: Bonus Tip
Speaking with insurance companies can be a dangerous thing to do after an 18-wheeler accident. You may receive a call from the truck driver’s insurance provider within days or even hours of the crash. They may sound friendly, but their job is to limit your payout.
Avoid:
- Giving a recorded statement,
- Accepting a quick settlement, and
- Signing any release of liability.
Ultimately, it’s best to let your lawyer handle all communication. One wrong word can be twisted into evidence against your claim.
Your Georgia Truck Accident Claim Deserves a Trusted Advocate
When navigating what to do after a truck accident, every decision matters. The steps you take now can shape the outcome of your case and your future.
At Evans Litigation & Trial Law, LLC, we know how truck accident lawsuits work. We will build strategic, fact-driven cases that hold trucking companies and insurers accountable. Founding attorney Alfred L. Evans, III has recovered millions of dollars for truck accident victims across Georgia—and he’s ready to fight for you.
Contact us today to get started. You focus on recovery. We’ll handle everything else.
Alfred L. Evans III, an Atlanta native and Hampden-Sydney College alum, is a seasoned personal injury lawyer with a unique background in insurance defense. Founding Evans Litigation and Trial Law in 2013, he specializes in wrongful death litigation, trucking litigation, and various vehicle accident cases. Recognized as a Super Lawyer and a “Rising Star” by Superlawyers, Alfred applies his in-depth knowledge of the insurance and trucking industries to maximize client recoveries.
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