Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in California

When a semi-truck slams into a passenger vehicle, the results are often catastrophic. Why? Because an 80,000-pound big rig versus a 3,000-pound car isn’t a fair fight.

If you’ve just been in a truck accident in California, you’re not just dealing with smashed metal. You’re facing serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and an insurance system designed to pay you as little as possible.

This isn’t the time to guess your next move. You need a game plan—and fast.

Here are steps to take after a truck accident to protect your health, rights, and future.

What Are the First Steps to Take After a Truck Accident?

Those first chaotic hours after a crash can feel overwhelming. But certain actions are more vital than others when it comes to protecting your rights, preserving critical evidence, and laying the groundwork for a strong truck accident injury claim. If you’re unsure about what to do after a truck accident, focus on these five critical steps.

Step 1: Get Medical Help Immediately

Just because you can walk away doesn’t mean you’re okay. Severe injuries, such as concussions, internal bleeding, or spinal trauma, may not show immediate symptoms.

That’s why the first step in what to do after an 18-wheeler accident is to get checked out ASAP. Whether at an emergency room, urgent care, or your primary doctor’s office, seeing a medical professional is essential to safeguard your physical health and legal rights. Medical records are Exhibit A in your potential injury case. Without that early and professional confirmation that the collision caused your injuries, insurers may try to contest or reject your compensation claim.

Step 2: Collect Evidence While You Still Can

Documenting the crash site is critical. Road conditions, debris, and vehicle positions can change quickly, risking the loss of key evidence.

If it’s safe to do so, grab your phone and take pictures and videos of the scene, including:

• Damage to all vehicles;
• Road debris, skid marks, and intersection layout;
• Truck logos, plates, and identifying info; and
• Visible injuries to you and others.

When you can, take a moment to write down everything you remember about the crash. Include what the truck driver said, how the collision occurred, and anything unusual you remember. These details fade quickly, and you need them.

Bonus tip: Gathering witness contact details, towing receipts, and insurance paperwork are other important steps to take after a truck accident injury. Every detail can help build a more accurate picture of what happened and potentially a stronger case for your compensation.

Step 3: Get the Police Report

California law requires a police report for most truck crashes—and for good reason. These reports contain traffic citations, road conditions, who said what, and officer observations.

Request your copy from the local department or California Highway Patrol as soon as it’s available. It’s crucial evidence that may prove valuable during negotiations or litigation.

Step 4: Understand Who May Be Liable

Responsibility for a truck accident often extends far beyond the driver. The trucking industry operates within a complicated network of employers, contractors, maintenance crews, and shipping partners. Every link in the chain could bear some liability for a collision.

A skilled California truck accident attorney can investigate each potential party, including:

• Trucking companies that cut corners or hire unqualified drivers;
• Maintenance teams that skip safety checks;
• Shipping crews that overload or improperly secure cargo;
• Manufacturers of faulty brakes, tires, or steering systems; and
• Drivers who were distracted, drowsy, or speeding.

A thorough investigation into the range of liable parties can help increase your chances of recovering full compensation and exposing unsafe practices that caused your crash.

Step 5: Know Your Legal Rights

California law includes two rules that impact injury claims:

• Comparative negligence. Under this rule, your share of fault in the accident can reduce your compensation for damages. For instance, a $200,000 award becomes $160,000 if you’re found 20% responsible.
• Statute of limitations. In California, injury lawsuits must be filed within two years. Missing this deadline can mean forfeiting your right to recover compensation.

While victims are recovering, trucking companies may already have teams reviewing black box data, driver logbooks, and service records. Delaying legal action disadvantages victims.

Acting quickly helps protect your rights and pressure the other side to deal fairly.

What Not to Do After a Truck Accident

Just as important as knowing what steps to take after a truck accident? Knowing what to avoid.

Don’t Talk to the Trucking Company’s Insurance Adjuster

After the crash, you may receive a call from the trucking company’s insurer. The adjuster may seem friendly or helpful, telling you it’s just a “routine call.”

However, this routine call aims to protect the company’s bottom line, not your best interests. They’ll fish for comments that can be used to pin fault on you and reduce your compensation claim.

You are not required to speak with the adjuster. Do not give a recorded statement. Don’t discuss your injuries, speculate on what caused the crash, or apologize. Let your attorney handle all communications.

Don’t Post About the Crash on Social Media

Think twice before you hit “post.” Insurance companies are watching and will use your photos and comments to dispute your claim.

Avoid sharing:

• Crash scene photos,
• Comments like “I’m okay” or “I was lucky,”
• Updates on your recovery, and
• Anything that could suggest you’re not seriously injured.

Even private posts can be subpoenaed. Until your case is over, go dark online.

Don’t Repair or Dispose of Your Vehicle Right Away

It’s tempting to get your car fixed quickly and move on, but don’t. Your vehicle is a critical piece of evidence in a truck accident claim. Scratches, dents, and damage patterns can all help accident reconstruction experts determine fault and show how the crash happened.

Before authorizing any repairs or sending your car to the junkyard, speak with your attorney. They may want to further inspect or document the vehicle to support your case.

Take Control of Your Truck Accident Case Today

The trucking company has a team on the scene before the dust settles. You need someone in your corner, too.

The Law Offices of Steers & Associates knows how to take on powerful transportation companies and fight for the compensation you deserve. Our team has 40 years of combined legal experience and has won millions in compensation for Californians injured by someone else’s mistakes behind the wheel.

Let’s talk about the road ahead. Call now to schedule a free consultation with a California truck accident attorney who’s ready to go the distance for you.

Allen Vaysberg

Allen Vaysberg practices personal injury law and works tirelessly to defeat the tactics of insurance companies and large corporations who try to deny justice and fair compensation to injured people.