Free Guide
Getting hit by a truck is frightening, and the moments after are confusing, so here's a calm, step-by-step list you can follow. Truck cases move faster than car cases because the trucking company starts protecting itself within hours, so the sooner you act, the better. Do what you can; the rest is what we're here for.
Call 911 and accept the ambulance. Truck crashes cause injuries that don't show up until later.
Photograph the truck, the trailer, the company name, and the DOT number painted on the door. That number identifies who's responsible.
Get the driver's name, license, and insurance, plus the trucking company's name.
Get names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
Don't discuss fault with anyone at the scene.
See a doctor and tell them exactly how the crash happened.
Save everything, medical records, the police report number, photos, and a note of every workday you miss.
Don't sign anything from the trucking company or its insurer, and don't give a recorded statement.
Call a lawyer quickly. Trucking companies can move or overwrite evidence like driving logs and onboard data within days.
Guides are general. Your case isn't. Ask us, it's free and there's no obligation.
Start a free reviewThe first thing to do after a truck accident is get medical care and preserve evidence, even if you feel okay. Call 911 for a police report, photograph the truck's DOT number and company name, and see a doctor right away. Truck cases depend on evidence the company controls, like driving logs and onboard data, so acting quickly matters more than in a typical car crash.
You need a lawyer fast after a truck accident because the trucking company often sends investigators to the scene within hours and can overwrite key evidence, such as electronic logs and inspection records, within days. Getting a lawyer involved early lets them send a legal hold to preserve that evidence before it's gone. Peretz Law Firm can do this right away.
Responsibility for a truck accident often extends beyond the driver to the trucking company, the truck's owner, the company that loaded the cargo, or a maintenance provider. Because federal safety rules apply to commercial trucks, a violation by any of these parties can establish liability. Peretz Law Firm investigates every party that may owe you money.
This guide is general information for people in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, it isn't legal advice for your specific situation, and reading it doesn't create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your own case, talk to a lawyer. We're happy to be that first call, free.