10 Things to Do After a Big Rig Crash

Big rig crashes can be unsettling for even seasoned drivers, so it's best to have a plan just in case.

Here are 10 helpful reminders for what to do following a big rig crash:

1. Check to see if everyone is OK. Just like you would in a regular car accident, check to see that all passengers and drivers are uninjured. If someone is injured, the first thing you should do is call 911.
2. Document your injuries. If you are injured -- and the odds are in favor of truck accident injuries -- make sure that you take pictures and retain medical records of your crash-related injuries.
3. Contact your insurance company. Even if you believe that you were following too closely before the accident, notify your insurance company of the crash.
4. Speak with witnesses. Often truck accidents involve multiple cars or even pedestrians. Make sure to speak with these and any other witnesses about the crash, including onlookers who may have observed something important.
5. Don't admit fault. Yes, there are many ways to avoid truck accidents, but now is not the time to verbalize the things you could have done or didn't do.
6. Consult an attorney experienced in dealing with truck accident cases. You'll likely have lots of questions to ask before you find an experienced truck accident lawyer who can properly represent you in your big rig crash case, and you should find one that answers all of them.
7. Come clean to your attorney. Admitting fault at the scene of the crash: no. Being earnest about your driving mistakes to your truck accident attorney: yes. You don't have to be blameless to have a proper truck accident claim.
8. Investigate the cause(s) of your accident. There are many ways a big rig crash can happen, and you and your attorney can discuss how to go about investigating it.
9. Assess total damages. After reviewing your property damages, medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses, your attorney can explain how your total damages will compare to your chances of collecting from other parties.
10. Discuss whom to potentially sue. Big rig accident cases typically involve multiple defendants: the driver, the trucking company, or even a bar who served the trucker. Pursuing the right party can increase your chances of recovering for your injuries.

To learn more about big rig accidents and the unique legal challenges that can arise in truck-crash lawsuits, check out FindLaw's comprehensive section on Truck Accidents.

Related Resources:

• Proving Fault in a Truck Accident Checklist (FindLaw)
• Top 10 States for Fatal Truck Crashes (FindLaw's Injured)
• 3 Common Truck Collisions and How to Sue (FindLaw's Atlanta Injury News Blog)
• Who's Liable for Drunk Truck Drivers? (FindLaw's Atlanta Injury News Blog)