Getting into any type of accident is stressful and overwhelming. Things are even more complicated when a semi-truck or 18-wheeler is involved. The size and weight of commercial trucks make them particularly hazardous, and collisions often result in serious injuries and extensive property damage.
Knowing what to do after a commercial vehicle accident in North Carolina is vital for your health and your legal case. Below, we break down what steps you should take, what makes truck crashes so complex, and how a North Carolina truck accident lawyer can help you pursue the maximum compensation.
What to Do After a Commercial Vehicle Accident
Taking the right actions after a commercial truck accident in North Carolina can help protect your health and strengthen your personal injury case.
Check for Injuries and Move to Safety
After a semi-truck accident, your priority should be your safety and the safety of others involved. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If it’s safe to do so, move your vehicle to the side of the road to avoid further danger. If the accident happened on a busy highway, getting out of harm’s way is critical.
Call 911 and Report the Crash to the Police
After ensuring your immediate safety, call 911 to report the tractor-trailer accident. This is a crucial step, not just for getting medical assistance, but also for creating an official police report. When emergency services arrive, they will document the scene, take witness statements, and file a crash report that can serve as key evidence in your case.
When talking to the police, be honest but avoid speculating or admitting fault. Stick to the facts of what happened. The officer’s report will be an important part of your personal injury claim
Exchange Information With the Truck Driver
Just like in any accident, it’s important to exchange information with the other driver or drivers involved. But with commercial truck accidents, this step becomes even more important. Make sure to collect:
- The truck driver’s full name and contact info
- The name of the truck company
- The commercial vehicle’s license plate and registration
- Insurance details, including the name of the insurer and policy number
- The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) number, which is often visible on the truck
This information can help your truck accident lawyer determine liability and identify all the potentially responsible parties in your case.
Gather Evidence at the Scene
If you are physically able and it’s safe to do so, gather as much evidence at the scene as possible. Use your phone to take photos and videos of:
- The vehicles involved, from multiple angles
- Visible injuries
- Road conditions, traffic signs, and skid marks
- Weather conditions
- Any cargo the truck was carrying, especially if it spilled
Also, try to get contact information from any witnesses who saw the truck crash. Their statements could be extremely valuable if the case ends up in court. Every bit of evidence helps when building a strong case after a commercial vehicle accident.
Many forms of evidence can disappear quickly after a commercial truck accident. Documenting the crash scene and seeking legal help as soon as possible is critical.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if you feel fine after the accident, you should still see a doctor. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal trauma, might not be immediately obvious. Delaying medical treatment can not only make your injuries worse but may also hurt your legal case. Insurance companies often use gaps in treatment to argue that you weren’t seriously hurt.
By getting medical attention right away, you protect both your health and your rights. Be sure to follow all recommended treatments and keep copies of your medical records, as they’ll be crucial in calculating damages for pain, suffering, lost wages, and more.
Call a Truck Accident Lawyer
After you’ve taken care of your immediate safety and health, your next step should be contacting an experienced truck accident lawyer.
At NC Car Accident Lawyers, we have extensive experience representing victims of commercial vehicle accidents in North Carolina. We can help you preserve evidence, deal with insurance adjusters, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Commercial Truck Accidents vs Car Accidents
Commercial truck accident cases are far more complex than regular car crashes. They involve corporate defendants, aggressive insurance adjusters, and complex federal regulations.
Liability for a Truck Crash
One of the biggest challenges in a commercial vehicle accident is figuring out who is responsible. Unlike a typical car accident, multiple at-fault parties can be liable for a truck accident. These include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The cargo loading company
- The truck manufacturer
- A third-party maintenance company
Each of these parties may carry separate insurance policies, and all of them will be trying to limit their liability. This is why it’s so important to have a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer who can investigate the full chain of responsibility.
Federal Regulations
The trucking industry is heavily regulated, primarily by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These rules govern things like:
- How many hours a driver can be on the road without rest
- Required vehicle inspections and maintenance
- Weight limits and cargo securing
- Drug and alcohol testing for drivers
If any of these regulations were violated, it can provide powerful evidence of negligence. However, accessing these records and proving violations often requires legal knowledge and resources. Our team knows how to uncover this information and use it effectively in your case.
Severe Injuries
A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When such a massive vehicle collides with a passenger car, the results are usually devastating. Victims of commercial vehicle accidents often suffer from:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Permanent disability
These injuries require long-term medical care and rehabilitation. Victims may be unable to work or enjoy life as they once did. The high stakes of these injuries make it even more important to work with a legal team that understands how to pursue full and fair compensation.
How a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer Can Help
A skilled commercial vehicle accident lawyer can deal with insurance companies and manage the legal process, allowing you to focus on healing.
Building a Strong Case
After a commercial vehicle accident, evidence can disappear quickly. Trucking companies might repair the vehicle, overwrite data from the truck’s black box, or lose logbooks. An experienced truck accident attorney will act fast to preserve critical evidence.
Our lawyers will gather police reports, medical records, driver logs, GPS data, and maintenance history to build a comprehensive picture of what went wrong. If needed, we work with accident reconstruction experts and safety engineers to strengthen your case.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies representing trucking companies are well-trained and aggressive. Their goal is to minimize payouts, not protect your rights. You may be offered a quick settlement that sounds tempting, but accepting it could prevent you from getting the full compensation you need for ongoing medical care, lost wages, or future pain and suffering.
When you hire our team, we handle all communication with insurance adjusters and opposing counsel. We know their tactics, and we know how to counter them. We’ll calculate a fair value for your claim and negotiate relentlessly to get you what you deserve. And if they won’t settle for a reasonable amount, we’re not afraid to take your case to court.
Representing You in Trial If Necessary
While many personal injury cases settle outside of court, some commercial vehicle accident claims do end up going to trial. Having a seasoned truck accident lawyer who is prepared to litigate your case makes all the difference.
At NC Car Accident Lawyers, we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, which often helps us negotiate higher settlements. If your case does go before a judge or jury, you can count on us to present a compelling argument supported by solid evidence.
Contact Our North Carolina Truck Accident Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial vehicle accident in North Carolina, don’t try to handle it alone. These cases are complicated, high-stakes, and often overwhelming. But with the right legal team on your side, you can focus on healing while we take care of everything else.
At NC Car Accident Lawyers, we offer free consultations to discuss your situation and explain your legal options. There’s no pressure, no upfront fees, and no obligation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay us unless we win your case.
Contact us today by calling 864-561-6247 or using our online form.
