What to Do After a Truck Accident

Being involved in a truck accident is a terrifying and overwhelming experience. When a commercial vehicle is involved, the risks are higher, the damage is often greater, and the legal complexity is greater.

If you or a loved one has just been through a truck accident in Maryland, you may ask yourself: What do I do next? The steps you take immediately after the crash and in the following days can impact your physical recovery and legal case.

To discover everything you need to know about personal injury cases and truck accident cases in Maryland, see our Free Legal Guide to Accident Cases in Maryland now. You can learn a lot in just 15 minutes. Know your options and be informed before you make big decisions about your Maryland truck accident case.

You should probably call a Waldorf Maryland truck accident lawyer for a free consultation to make sure your rights are protected. The system is very complicated, and the insurance companies have legions of lawyers to use against you.

To help you stay focused and protected, here’s a clear, step-by-step checklist of what to do after a truck accident, starting at the crash scene.

Step 1: What to Do at the Scene of the Truck Accident

If you are physically able and it’s safe, take the following steps while still at the scene to protect your safety and preserve crucial evidence.

Call 911 Immediately

Even if the damage looks minor or you’re unsure if you’re hurt, always call the police. Request an ambulance if anyone might be injured. First responders will file an official report, which can become important evidence.

Move to Safety

Stay in your vehicle if you’re seriously injured. If you can move and there’s no immediate danger, safely relocate to the shoulder or side of the road.

Exchange Information

Get basic identifying details for all other drivers involved. Be sure to write down:

• Name, phone number, and driver’s license;
• License plate numbers;
• Insurance company and policy number; and
• Name of the trucking company and its DOT number.

Tip: If the truck driver works for a company, get the name of the business and ask if they’re an employee or independent contractor.

Take Photos and Videos

Photo documentation can help your case. Take pictures of:

• All vehicle damage;
• Skid marks and debris;
• Traffic lights or road signs;
• Any visible injuries; and
• The truck’s logo, license plate, registration number, or compliance decals.

Gather Witness Information

If there are witnesses, politely ask for their names and contact information. Third-party accounts can support your version of what happened.

Step 2: What to Do Immediately After the Truck Accident

Once you leave the scene, the next 24-72 hours are critical for medical care, preserving your legal rights, and starting the recovery process.

Get a Medical Evaluation

Even if you feel okay, get checked out at the ER, urgent care, or your primary care provider as soon as possible. Truck crashes involve enormous force, and internal injuries or concussions may not show symptoms right away.

Ask your provider to document:

• Visible injuries;
• Reported pain or tenderness;
• Diagnostics (X-rays, MRIs, etc.); and
• Treatment plan and activity restrictions.

Prompt medical treatment protects both your health and your claim.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the crash to your insurer. Provide:

• The date, time, and location;
• Names involved; and
• Police report number (if available).

Do not offer recorded statements to the truck company’s insurer until you’ve spoken with a truck accident attorney. These companies may quickly try to minimize or dispute fault.

Step 3: In the Days That Follow

This is when a truck accident claim can get complex. It’s important to stay organized and start gathering the information that can support your case.

Start a Personal Injury Journal

Set aside just 5-10 minutes a day to write down:

• Pain levels on a 1-10 scale;
• Impact on daily activities;
• Emotional effects (anxiety, sleep issues, stress); and
• Missed work or obligations.

This day-to-day record helps build a clear timeline of how the injury affects your life.

Preserve All Evidence

Gather and store documents, including:

• Photos and videos from the scene;
• Receipts for medical care, prescriptions, and repairs;
• Doctor visit notes or imaging results;
• Insurance correspondence; and
• Any employer communication, if you’re missing work.

If you’re not sure whether to keep something, keep it. Documentation now can help prevent problems later.

Step 4: Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer

Contact a Maryland truck accident lawyer today. Truck accident cases are often more complex than typical car accidents. They often involve:

• Serious injuries;
• Commercial insurance policies; and
• Federal regulations and multiple liable parties (e.g., driver, trucking company, manufacturer).

A skilled personal injury attorney can quickly begin investigating the case, preserving black box data from the truck, securing witness statements, and protecting you from unfair insurance tactics. Read our post describing the road map of a personal injury case. 

Step 5: Follow Up on Medical Care and Recovery

Too often, people stop going to physical therapy or skip follow-up appointments once they start to feel better. But doing so may hurt your injury claim.

Some of the best things you can do after a truck accident include:

• Attending every follow-up appointment,
• Keeping all medical records and receipts,
• Following your doctor’s treatment plan, and
• Documenting any restrictions the doctor places on your work or daily life.

Insurers will look for any gaps in care or missed appointments to suggest your injuries weren’t serious. Consistency helps prove otherwise.

Step 6: Know What Not to Do After a Truck Accident

Don’t make these common mistakes after a truck accident. Mistakes made early in the process can hurt your chances of recovering compensation. Be aware of these common pitfalls:

• Don’t admit fault. Even a polite “I’m sorry” can be misinterpreted later. Stick to the facts when speaking with anyone at the scene.
• Don’t talk to the trucking company or their insurer. They may pressure you to make recorded statements or accept a low settlement.
• Don’t post about the accident on social media. Photos, updates, or check-ins can be twisted out of context to downplay your injury.
• Don’t delay talking to a lawyer. Evidence like dashcam footage or trucking logs can disappear quickly. An attorney can act fast to secure it on your behalf.

Avoiding these missteps can go a long way in protecting your physical recovery and legal rights. 

Contact Southern Maryland Law for a Free Consultation

Truck accidents can raise complicated medical, legal, and financial questions at a time when your only focus should be on healing. You don’t have to have everything figured out right now. But if you’re unsure what to do after a truck accident, it can help to discuss your options. Call our truck accident lawyers today. 

At Southern Maryland Law, we’ve spent over six decades helping our neighbors in Charles County and throughout Southern Maryland navigate difficult moments like these, one step at a time. If you have questions or want to understand your rights after a truck accident injury, call us today for a free consultation.

To discover everything you need to know about personal injury cases and truck accident cases in Maryland, see our Free Legal Guide to Accident Cases in Maryland now. You can learn a lot in just 15 minutes. Know your options and be informed before you make big decisions about your Maryland truck accident case.