Getting in an accident with a semi-truck can be extremely frightening and lead to multi-car collisions and serious damage. These massive commercial vehicles–which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded–often cause devastating injuries that can change your life in an instant. When you’ve been in a trucking accident, it’s crucial to take the right steps after your collision to protect your health, your rights, and your future. Here, attorneys David Chester and Jennifer Weeks discuss what to do after a truck accident in Ohio.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
If you’ve been hit by a semi-truck in Ohio, these immediate steps are critical:
1. Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel “okay” after the collision, it’s essential to get checked out by medical professionals. As Attorney Jennifer Weeks explains, “If it’s high impact with a lot of damage to your vehicle, it’s a good idea to get checked out, especially with head injuries and brain bleeds. Sometimes those don’t show up right away but can be deadly.”
Many serious injuries, like brain trauma, spinal injuries, and internal bleeding, might not show symptoms immediately. The adrenaline from the crash can mask pain, and you might not realize how severely you’re injured until hours or days later.
2. Call the Police and Get a Report
When a commercial truck is involved in your accident, it’s crucial to have police documentation. Most trucking accidents in Ohio will warrant a police response, especially when injuries occur. The official report will contain valuable information about the crash scene, statements from drivers and witnesses, and potentially the officer’s determination of fault.
This report becomes critical evidence when pursuing your claim–make sure you get a copy for your records.
3. Document Everything
If you’re physically able, take photos of:
- Your vehicle damage
- The truck involved (including company name, DOT numbers)
- The overall accident scene
- Your visible injuries
- Road conditions and any contributing factors
You can also consider recording audio statements from witnesses if possible, as memories fade and witnesses can be difficult to locate later.
4. Contact a Semi-Truck Collision Lawyer in Columbus Immediately
This step is perhaps the most time-sensitive step after a truck accident in Ohio. “You want to make sure that you hire an attorney right away so the attorney can send what’s called a spoliation letter to the trucking company to keep them from removing evidence,” says David Chester. “The federal rules give them only so much time to keep logs and information about the truck, and they can get rid of them if you don’t act quickly.”
A preservation letter requires trucking companies to maintain crucial evidence like:
- Driver logs showing hours of service
- Truck maintenance records
- Black box data
- Driver cell phone records
- Training documents
- Drug testing results
All of this evidence has the potential to make or break your case. If the trucking company destroys this evidence after receiving a preservation letter, it creates a presumption in court that the evidence would have been harmful to their case.
5. Don’t Speak With Insurance Companies
When wondering what to do after a truck accident in Ohio, not speaking with the insurance companies is one of the most important things you can do.
Trucking companies and their insurers often dispatch investigators to accident scenes immediately. Their goal is to limit their liability and minimize your compensation. Any statements you make could be used against you later, so it’s important not to speak to insurers after an accident.
Let your attorney handle all communications with insurance companies. They understand the tactics these companies use and can protect your interests.
Why Truck Accidents Are Different
Truck accidents involve unique factors that make them more complex than typical car accidents:
- Commercial Regulations: Semi-trucks are subject to federal regulations through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These rules govern everything from driver qualifications to vehicle maintenance.
- Multiple Liable Parties: Unlike a typical car accident, liability might extend beyond just the driver to include the trucking company, maintenance contractors, cargo loaders, truck manufacturers, and brokers.
- Higher Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks must carry minimum insurance of $750,000, and many carry much more, especially when working for major corporations.
- Specialized Evidence: Truck cases often involve specialized evidence like driver qualification files, electronic logging devices, and post-accident drug testing.
The trucking industry has also changed dramatically in recent years. With the shift to online shopping and the pandemic accelerating delivery demands, there are more inexperienced drivers on the road than ever before. As Jennifer Weeks notes, “They don’t have enough good truck drivers out there, so they’re hiring people with little or no experience.” This makes proper legal representation even more critical for accident victims.
When to Get Trucking Accident Legal Help in Ohio
Many accident victims wonder if their case actually warrants an attorney. For truck accidents in Ohio, the answer is almost always yes.
“If the truck is at fault, it’s best to call us as soon as you’re hit by a truck, and we’ll figure out the rest. We can get the police report and determine who’s at fault,” David Chester advises.
Even in situations where you think you might be at fault, it’s worth consulting an experienced Ohio commercial vehicle accident lawyer. As David explains, “You can have a case when you don’t think you do. Let’s say a truck is driving too slow in a snowstorm, and you run into the back of it. You would think you’re at fault, but they can be in violation of federal regulations by actually being on the road when they should have gotten off.”
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a semi-truck accident in Ohio, don’t wait to get help. Contact Chester Law Group today for a free consultation. Remember, we only get paid if we win your case, so you have nothing to lose by speaking with an experienced attorney about your case. Let us protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.