What should you do after an accident with an 18-wheeler in Texas?
After a Texas 18-wheeler accident, prioritize emergency medical care and safety, call law enforcement, document the scene when possible, identify witnesses and the trucking company, preserve photographs and records, and avoid allowing important commercial-vehicle evidence to disappear. Truck crashes can involve evidence and potentially responsible parties that are not present in an ordinary passenger-car collision.
Call 911 and Obtain Medical Care
Collisions involving tractor-trailers can cause serious injuries because of the vehicles’ size and weight. Request emergency assistance when needed and obtain appropriate medical evaluation.
If you are physically unable to gather evidence, prioritize your health. Other evidence may be obtained later through investigation.
Identify the Truck and Motor Carrier
If it can be done safely, photograph identifying information on the tractor and trailer.
Potentially useful information can include:
- Company name
- USDOT number
- Truck and trailer numbers
- License plates
- Logos and markings
- Driver information
- Insurance information
Photograph More Than Vehicle Damage
Wide photographs can document lane positions, debris, skid marks, road geometry, traffic controls and the surrounding environment.
Closer images can preserve impact damage, tires, lights, underride damage, cargo conditions and identifying markings.
Commercial Truck Evidence Can Be Time-Sensitive
A truck case may involve records that do not exist in an ordinary automobile claim.
Depending on the circumstances, relevant evidence can include driver logs, electronic logging information, engine or vehicle data, dash-camera recordings, inspection records, maintenance records, dispatch communications, driver qualification materials and cargo documentation.
Why Can Preservation Be Important?
Some electronic data can be overwritten. Vehicles can be repaired or returned to service. Video can be deleted through ordinary retention cycles.
When litigation is reasonably anticipated, appropriate preservation steps can help prevent potentially relevant evidence from being lost.
Do Not Assume Only the Truck Driver Can Be Responsible
Potential responsibility depends on the facts. An investigation may examine the driver, motor carrier, employer, maintenance providers, cargo-related entities or other parties whose conduct allegedly contributed to the collision.
Not every truck accident involves all of these parties, and liability should not be assumed without evidence.
Be Careful With Early Insurance Communications
Commercial truck claims can involve insurers, claims administrators, company representatives and defense investigators soon after a collision.
Provide accurate information, but do not guess about speed, distances, medical prognosis or facts you do not know.
Texas Truck Accident Resources
For additional information, see the firm’s Dallas truck accident page and Fort Worth truck accident page.
Crashes involving other business vehicles are discussed on the Dallas commercial vehicle accident page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I photograph the USDOT number after a truck accident?
If you can safely do so, identifying information such as the carrier name and USDOT number can assist in identifying the motor carrier involved.
What is a truck’s black box?
Commercial vehicles may contain electronic systems capable of recording certain operational information. The available data and retention depend on the equipment and circumstances.
Can trucking-company records be important?
Yes. Depending on the allegations, driver, maintenance, dispatch, inspection and other company records may be relevant.
Should I let the trucking company inspect my vehicle?
Vehicle inspections can become important evidence issues. Before damaged evidence is altered, repaired or destroyed, consider whether appropriate documentation and inspection are needed.
Injured in a Texas 18-Wheeler Accident?
The Piri Law Firm can investigate serious commercial-truck collisions and identify evidence and potentially responsible parties relevant to the claim.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Trucking liability and evidence issues depend on the specific collision and applicable law.
