Accidents involving semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and big rigs are fundamentally different from standard car crashes. The sheer size and weight of a commercial vehicle—often weighing up to 80,000 pounds—mean that the collisions are often catastrophic, leading to severe, life-altering injuries and significant property damage.
For victims, the moments immediately following the crash are often a blur of pain, confusion, and adrenaline. However, the actions you take in these first few hours can decide the future of your recovery and your financial stability.
Commercial trucking companies are backed by massive insurance policies and aggressive legal teams. Their goal is to minimize their liability the moment the crash occurs. To level the playing field, you need to act quickly. In this guide, we outline the essential steps regarding what to do after a semi-truck accident to help you receive the medical care you need and protect your legal rights.
Why is Knowing What To Do After a Semi-Truck Accident So Important?
Many drivers assume that a truck accident claim is handled just like a car accident claim, just with “bigger numbers.” This is a dangerous misconception.
When you are hit by another passenger vehicle, you are typically dealing with an individual driver and their personal insurance policy. When you are hit by a commercial truck, you are often going to war against a corporation.
Large logistics companies and insurers have “Rapid Response Teams.” These are investigators and defense attorneys who are dispatched to the scene of a crash immediately, sometimes arriving while the police are still clearing the wreckage. Their job is to find evidence that shifts the blame onto you.
Knowing what to do immediately after the accident is your only defense against these tactics. By documenting the scene and securing legal counsel early, you prevent the trucking company from controlling the narrative of the crash.
4 Things to Do After a Semi-Truck Accident
It can be difficult to know exactly what to do after a semi-truck accident, but we’re here for you. With decades of experience under our belt, we suggest you know these 4 things after a semi-truck accident:
1. Call 911 and Ensure an Official Report is Filed
In the chaotic aftermath of a semi-truck accident, it may be difficult to think clearly, but the very first action you should take is to call 911. Do not let the truck driver talk you into “settling this without police” or just exchanging info.
When law enforcement arrives (typically the Nevada Highway Patrol or local police), they will create an official accident report. This document acts as a neutral third-party account of the scene. It will include:
- The officer’s preliminary determination of fault.
- Statements from the truck driver and witnesses.
- Weather and road conditions.
- Citations issued to the truck driver (e.g., for speeding, logbook violations, or equipment failure).
Without this report, it becomes your word against the trucking company’s word, and insurance adjusters will almost always side with their client.
Calling 911 also ensures paramedics arrive quickly. You should always accept medical attention at the scene, even if you feel “fine.” Adrenaline often masks the pain of serious injuries like internal bleeding, spinal fractures, or Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs). If you refuse care at the scene, the insurance company will later argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident.
2. Assess Your Injuries (and Do Not Move if Unsure)
Semi-truck accidents often result in significant physical trauma. Before you attempt to exit your vehicle, take a moment to assess yourself.
Consciousness: Do you feel dizzy, confused, or nauseous? (Signs of concussion). Mobility: Can you move your arms and legs without sharp pain? Sensation: Do you have numbness or tingling in your extremities? Bleeding: Check for lacerations or visible injuries.
If you suspect a neck or back injury, do not move unless you are in immediate danger (such as a vehicle fire or oncoming traffic). Waiting for paramedics to extract you safely can help prevent serious injury. If you are able to move safely, check on the other passengers in your vehicle. However, apply the same rule: Do not move an unconscious passenger unless absolutely necessary to save their life.
3. Gather Evidence at the Scene
Because commercial trucks are often moving goods on tight deadlines, the “evidence” of the crash can disappear quickly. The truck may be towed to a private yard, the road may be swept clean, and the weather can wash away skid marks.
If the area is safe and you are physically able, start gathering evidence for a truck accident immediately using your smartphone.
- The Truck’s Identification: Don’t just get the license plate. Take photos of the DOT Number (usually on the cab door), the trucking company logo, and the trailer number. The truck cab and the trailer may be owned by different companies, which means different insurance policies.
- Impact Points: Take wide shots and close-ups of the damage to your vehicle and the truck.
- The Scene: Photograph skid marks (or lack thereof), traffic signs, stoplights, and road conditions.
- The Driver: If possible, get a photo of the driver’s license and insurance card—don’t just write it down, as handwriting can be misread later.
Eyewitnesses are critical. People who stop to help may leave once the police arrive. Quickly ask for their name and phone number. A neutral witness stating that the truck ran a red light or drifted into your lane is powerful evidence that is hard for insurance companies to refute.
4. Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
The 4th and final thing to do after a semi-truck accident is to contact a lawyer you can trust. Trucking companies and their insurers will move quickly to protect their interests, so it’s highly advisable to have a legal representative fighting for yours.
Do not assume the insurance adjuster is your friend. They are trained to extract statements from you that can be used to deny liability. For example, a simple “I’m okay” said out of politeness can be used to argue you weren’t injured.
A skilled truck accident lawyer in Reno does more than just file paperwork. We take immediate steps to stop the trucking company from destroying evidence. We handle all communication with the insurance adjusters so you can focus on healing.
The Critical Role of the “Black Box” (ECM)
One of the most important reasons to hire an attorney when deciding what to do after a semi-truck accident is the preservation of the Electronic Control Module (ECM), commonly known as the “Black Box.”
Most modern semi-trucks are equipped with these devices, which record data similar to an airplane’s black box. This data is the “smoking gun” in many investigations.
What the Black Box Records:
- Speed: Was the driver speeding at the time of impact?
- Braking: Did the driver brake before impact, or were they distracted?
- Hours of Service: How long had the truck been running? (Helping prove truck driver fatigue).
- Throttle Position: Was the driver accelerating?
The Danger of “Spoliation”
Here is the catch: The Black Box data belongs to the trucking company. They are not required to keep it forever. In fact, many systems automatically overwrite this data after a certain number of days or engine cycles.
If you do not have a lawyer, send a formal “Spoliation Letter” (Preservation of Evidence Letter) immediately. Without such a document, the trucking company can legally delete this data, destroying the proof of their negligence. At Jensen Personal Injury Law, sending this letter is one of the very first steps we take.
Benefits of Choosing Jensen for Your Semi-Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accident cases are not the same as car accident cases. They require a deep understanding of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, mandatory logbook requirements, and complex commercial insurance tiers.
You need an attorney with experience in this specific field.
At Jensen Personal Injury Law, we understand the specific tactics trucking defense teams use to avoid paying claims. As a proud member of the Academy of Trucking Accident Attorneys, Bob Jensen has the extensive knowledge and resources required to go toe-to-toe with large logistics companies.
Get Help from a Reno Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer
In the aftermath of a collision, knowing exactly what to do after a semi-truck accident can determine whether you receive a full settlement or are left paying for medical bills out of pocket. Remember the four steps: Call 911, Assess Injuries, Gather Evidence, and Call a Lawyer.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a collision with a commercial vehicle, do not face the insurance giants alone. Our experienced legal team is here to help you navigate this complex process.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will review your case, secure the evidence, and aggressively pursue the justice you may be entitled to.
The information provided on this site is for general information purposes only. The information you obtain at this website is not, nor is it intended to be, legal or medical advice. You should consult an attorney or doctor for advice regarding your own individual situation. Use of this website or submission of an online form does not create an attorney-client relationship.