Critical Action Guide
After a Truck Crash: What to Do Now
If you or a family member was hit by a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, or commercial vehicle, follow this checklist. Some truck-crash evidence can be changed or lost under retention, repair, or ordinary business processes.
Evidence Can Disappear Quickly
Dashcam footage, ECM data, ELD logs, dispatch records, and nearby surveillance video may be affected by retention systems, repair work, or ordinary business processes. Early attorney review can help identify what records should be requested and preserved.
Call (405) 759-0515 →High-value signals
Use this checklist if the crash has high-value evidence or high-severity harm.
- A semi-truck, 18-wheeler, delivery truck, oil field truck, or commercial fleet vehicle was involved.
- There was a death, surgery, hospitalization, traumatic brain injury, spinal injury, or long-term work loss.
- The trucking company, insurer, or investigator has already called, inspected vehicles, or requested a statement.
- Video, ECM data, ELD logs, dispatch records, maintenance records, or witness information may disappear.
What to save now
A strong truck case starts with records that can be verified.
- Crash report number, officer names, and any citation information
- Photos of vehicles, cargo, skid marks, debris, road conditions, and injuries
- Truck company name, DOT number, license plate, trailer markings, and insurer contact
- Names and phone numbers for witnesses, first responders, tow companies, and nearby businesses
- Medical records, discharge papers, imaging orders, work restrictions, and follow-up appointments
Immediate Steps (Day of Crash)
Get Medical Treatment
Go to the ER or urgent care if there is any concern about injury. Some serious injuries are not obvious immediately, and day-one medical records can become important evidence.
Call 911 and Get a Crash Report
Ensure law enforcement responds and documents the scene. Ask for the report number.
Photograph Everything
Photos of your vehicle, the truck (including company name, DOT number, and license plate), the crash scene, skid marks, debris, and your injuries.
Do NOT Give a Recorded Statement
The trucking company's adjuster will call quickly. Do not give a recorded statement. Say: "I need to speak with my attorney first."
Do NOT Sign Anything
Do not sign medical authorizations, settlement releases, or any documents from the trucking company or its insurer.
Do NOT Post on Social Media
Anything you post can be used against you. Do not discuss the crash, your injuries, or your activities online.
Within 48–72 Hours
Contact a Trucking Litigation Attorney
Not a general personal injury lawyer - a firm that handles commercial trucking cases and knows how to preserve ECM data, ELD logs, and dispatch records.
Send a Preservation Letter
Your attorney sends a formal preservation demand to the trucking company, its insurer, and any third-party logistics providers so they are on notice to preserve crash evidence.
Identify the Truck and Carrier
The DOT number on the truck door identifies the motor carrier. Your attorney will use FMCSA SaferSys data to identify the carrier's safety history, insurance, and authority status.
Preserve Your Own Evidence
Save your dashcam footage, phone records, photos, and any witness contact information. Back up everything.
First 30 Days
Follow All Medical Recommendations
Attend every appointment, follow-up, and therapy session. Defense lawyers and insurers may use treatment gaps to dispute injury severity or causation.
Keep a Pain Journal
Daily notes on pain levels, limitations, sleep disruption, and emotional impact. This becomes evidence of your daily suffering.
Do Not Accept an Early Settlement
Early offers may not reflect the full injury picture. Have the long-term medical, wage-loss, and evidence issues evaluated before any settlement discussion.
Attorney review
Get the preservation issue in front of a lawyer.
Share the crash location, trucking company, injury severity, and any evidence you have. The first review is focused on what must be preserved and whether the case needs trucking litigation work.
Truck Crash Case Review
Describe the crash so we can assess evidence preservation needs.
Start with the facts
A clear summary of what happened, who was involved, and what evidence may exist is enough to begin.
Confidential review
The firm reviews your information and responds if the matter appears to fit.
Evidence and timing
Dates, locations, records, photos, video, and witness names help us understand what may need to be preserved.
How to reach you
Tell us how to reach you and when you are available for follow-up.
Need Attorney Review?
Contact us for confidential attorney review if truck-crash evidence may need to be identified and preserved.