What to Do After a Trucking Accident: A Step-by-Step Guide

Being involved in a collision with a commercial truck is overwhelming. The vehicles are massive, the injuries tend to be more severe, and the legal landscape is more complex than a typical car accident. Here's a step-by-step guide to what you should do.

At the Scene: Immediate Steps

1. Ensure Safety and Call 911

Move to a safe location if possible. Call 911 immediately — trucking accidents are almost always serious enough to require emergency response. A police report is critical documentation for any later claim.

2. Document the Truck's USDOT Number

This is the single most important piece of information to collect. Every commercial truck is required by federal law to display its USDOT number on both sides of the vehicle. This number identifies the carrier and unlocks their entire safety history.

If you can safely do so, photograph:

• The USDOT number on the truck
• The company name on the vehicle
• The truck's license plate
• The overall accident scene from multiple angles
• Damage to all vehicles involved
• Any visible vehicle defects (bald tires, broken lights, leaking fluids)

3. Get the Driver's Information

Collect the truck driver's name, CDL number, and insurance information. The driver may also have a bill of lading that identifies the cargo and shipper.

4. Seek Medical Attention

Get medical treatment even if injuries seem minor. Trucking accident injuries often present delayed symptoms. Medical records created immediately after the accident are important evidence for any insurance claim or lawsuit.

After the Scene: Investigation Steps

5. Look Up the Carrier's Safety Record

Once you have the USDOT number or company name, look up the carrier's safety record on CarrierRecord. Pay attention to:

• Safety grade — A D or F grade indicates a history of safety problems
• Out-of-service rate — High OOS rates suggest the carrier doesn't maintain its fleet properly
• Prior crashes — A pattern of previous crashes may indicate systemic negligence
• Inspection history — Frequent violations, especially for brakes, tires, or hours-of-service, are relevant evidence

6. Preserve Evidence

Trucking companies and their insurers will move quickly to investigate — and potentially to minimize their exposure. Take steps to preserve evidence:

• Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company's insurance adjuster without legal counsel
• Keep all medical records and receipts for treatment
• Save the police report — request a copy from the responding agency
• Preserve dashcam footage if you have it
• Note witness contact information from the scene

7. Understand Who May Be Liable

Trucking accident liability is more complex than car accident cases. Potentially responsible parties include:

• The driver — For negligent driving, hours-of-service violations, or impairment
• The carrier — For negligent hiring, inadequate maintenance, pressuring drivers to violate safety rules
• The vehicle manufacturer — For defective parts (brakes, tires, steering)
• The shipper — For improperly loaded or overweight cargo
• The maintenance provider — For negligent repairs

Why the Carrier's Safety Record Matters

In trucking accident litigation, the carrier's FMCSA safety record can be powerful evidence. It can establish:

• Notice: The carrier knew (or should have known) about safety problems based on prior inspections and violations
• Pattern: Repeated OOS violations or crashes suggest a systemic failure, not an isolated incident
• Negligent maintenance: High vehicle OOS rates indicate the carrier doesn't properly maintain its fleet
• Negligent hiring/supervision: High driver OOS rates may indicate the carrier employs unqualified or overworked drivers

Time Limits

Every state has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims. In most states, you have 2-3 years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, but some states allow as little as 1 year. Federal claims against the carrier may have different deadlines. Consult an attorney promptly to avoid missing filing deadlines.

Related Reading

• How to File a Complaint Against a Trucking Company — Report safety concerns to the FMCSA
• How to Check a Trucking Company's Safety Record — Full guide to looking up any carrier
• What Does Out-of-Service Mean? — Understanding OOS violations on the carrier's record
• The Most Dangerous Trucking Companies in America — Carriers with the worst crash records