What to do after a truck accident
After a truck accident, get to safety, call 911, and get medical care even if you feel fine. Make sure police write a report, take photos of the truck's DOT number and the scene, and do not give the trucking insurer a statement. Then call Dom Majors 24/7 at (928) 985-8888.
The highways between Arizona, California, and Texas, I-10, I-8, I-40 and I-20, see some of the most dangerous semi-truck crashes in the country. What you do in the first hours protects your health and your case. Dom Majors is based in the Phoenix area and serves clients in all three states. Contact me to find out what your case is worth.
1. Make sure you are safe
If you can move, get out of traffic and away from the truck, its trailer, and any spilled cargo or fuel. Turn on hazards and set out flares if you have them.
2. Seek medical attention
Call 911 and accept an ambulance if you are hurt. Even if you feel fine, see a doctor the same day. Adrenaline hides injuries, and brain, neck, and spinal injuries often appear hours or days later. Gaps in treatment are what insurers use to cut claims.
3. Report the accident
Make sure law enforcement responds and writes a report: the California Highway Patrol, Arizona DPS, or Texas DPS on the interstates. Get the report number and the officer's name.
4. Take photos and gather information
- All vehicles, damage, and final resting positions
- The truck's company name, USDOT number, trailer number, and plates
- Skid marks, debris, road conditions, and weather
- Your injuries
- Names and phone numbers of the truck driver and witnesses
5. Do not talk to the trucking company's insurer
Trucking companies send response teams within hours. Do not give a recorded statement or sign anything before speaking with a lawyer.
6. Call Dom Majors 24/7
Call (928) 985-8888 any time. Dom is licensed in Arizona, Washington, and California, admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, and has helped clients recover major settlements after catastrophic truck crashes. No fee until we win.
Will you sue the insurance company for bad faith?
"We aren't afraid to sue and go after insurance companies for bad faith." When an insurer lowballs, delays, or denies a valid claim, Dom files suit instead of settling cheap. How insurance bad faith claims work.
What else do people ask the Dune Lawyer?
Should I talk to the trucking company's insurer?
No. Do not give a recorded statement before talking to a lawyer. Adjusters use it to reduce or deny the claim.
What if I feel fine after a truck accident?
Get checked anyway. Brain, neck and spinal injuries often show up hours or days later, and a gap in treatment is used against you.
How long do I have to file after a truck accident?
Arizona and California generally allow two years, and Washington generally allows three. Evidence disappears much faster, so call right away.
Which related guides should I read next?
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This page is general information, not legal advice.