The aftermath of a commercial vehicle accident can be horrific, which is understandable given the weight and size of semi-trucks. These monsters on wheels outweigh cars by quite a few tons, and if one hits your car, you could be left with serious injuries or even lifelong disabilities.

If you’re wondering what to do after a truck accident, this truck accident response guide can help. Learn all about the steps for victims after a truck crash from a truck accident attorney in Charlotte, NC.

Check for Injuries

In a list of post-truck collision steps, checking for injuries should be your number-one priority. If you’re seriously hurt, go to the hospital right away. If others are badly injured, call an ambulance.

Don’t move seriously injured people unless they’re in life-threatening danger (for instance, their car is on fire). Moving an injured person could worsen or add to their injuries.

Move Vehicles Out of the Road

Move your car to the side of the road if you can so that other vehicles don’t collide with it.

If the accident happened on a busy highway, it may be too dangerous to risk moving your car. Ask whether anyone at the scene has an emergency road safety kit. These kits sometimes contain flares and bright-orange signs, which you can set up around the wreckage. These visual cues will help prevent further collisions.

Call the Police

North Carolina requires you to call the police if a car accident involves property damage, injury, or death. If no one at the scene has called the police yet, do it yourself.

When the police arrive, they’ll take statements from everyone involved and make a report.

Gather Evidence at the Scene

Many people who wonder what to do after a truck accident don’t think about gathering evidence, but this is an important step you should not ignore. The evidence you collect could be a key factor in determining your case’s outcome.

Using your phone, take photos of your car, any other cars involved, and the truck that hit you. Truck accidents require specific legal steps. Our guide outlines what to do after a truck accident to protect your rights. You should also take pictures of any other factors that might have contributed to the accident, such as partially obscured road signs, debris in the road, bad weather, and broken stop lights.

Exchange Information With Everyone Involved

Don’t leave the accident scene without exchanging information with every driver involved. Ask each driver for:

  • Their contact information
  • The make, model, and year of their car
  • Their driver’s license number
  • Their insurance details

See a Doctor

If you didn’t go to the hospital right after the accident, you should still see a doctor, even if you don’t think you’re injured. Some injuries only become obvious a few days after an accident, and the longer you wait for help, the harder it will be to recover.

This step is also important because the insurance company will want to see records of your treatment. If you decide not to see a doctor, the insurance company could say that you’re not seriously injured, which might lead to a lower settlement amount.

Call Your Insurance Company

Call your insurance company as soon as you can after the accident. North Carolina doesn’t impose a deadline as to when you must report accidents to the insurance company, but it’s smart to start the claims process as soon as possible.

If you believe someone else was at fault for the accident, you should also report the crash to their insurance company. If the truck driver caused the accident, you’ll need to make a claim with their employer’s insurance company.

Avoid Discussing the Accident Online

Wanting to discuss your accident with friends and family is normal, but only do so in person and over the phone. Don’t post details about the accident online in publicly accessible spaces, such as social media websites and forums.

Insurance companies sometimes check these spaces to see whether you’ve written anything incriminating about the accident. For instance, if you tell the insurance company the accident wasn’t your fault but then admit that you caused the accident on social media, it might deny your claim.

Learn More About Legal Actions Following Truck Crashes

Now that you know what to do after a truck accident, reach out to Yale Haymond Law PLLC to learn more about your next steps. If a distracted driver hit you, we can negotiate with their insurance company for a fair settlement that covers your damages.

Call (704) 800-HELP for your free consultation now.