One moment you are driving along Texas Avenue or Highway 6, and the next you are facing a crushed vehicle and a tractor-trailer blocking the road. The noise, chaos, and shock of a truck accident can make it difficult to think clearly, especially when you are worried about injuries and your family.
In the hours and days that follow, the steps you take can affect your recovery and any future claim. This guide outlines what to do after a truck accident in College Station to help guard your health and your legal rights.
At Paradowski Law, we have spent more than 30 years handling personal injury and wrongful death cases. Our attorney, Jeff Paradowski, is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law, which means we have been through many truck accident cases and understand how quickly evidence can disappear and how aggressively insurers start building their defense. The following steps reflect what we have seen work for our clients in real cases here in our community.
1. Put Safety First & Call 911 After a Truck Accident in College Station
After a collision with a large truck, your first priority is staying safe and reducing the risk of further harm. Commercial trucks are long, tall, and heavy, and they often block multiple lanes after a crash. If your vehicle is drivable and it is safe to do so, turn on your hazard lights and move it to the shoulder of the road.
Always call 911, even if the damage seems moderate or you feel “just shaken up.” A collision that involves an 18-wheeler or other commercial vehicle is a serious event. The 911 call triggers an official response and leads to a crash report that documents the scene, identifies the vehicles and drivers, and notes visible injuries and basic facts. That report can become a key piece of evidence later, especially if the trucking company starts trying to shift blame.
When officers arrive, answer their questions honestly, but stick to what you actually remember and observed. If you are in pain or feel disoriented, say so and ask for medical evaluation.
2. Get Medical Care Immediately, Even If You Feel “Mostly OK”
After a truck accident, adrenaline can mask serious injuries. Many people climb out of their vehicles, walk around, and assume they are fine, only to wake up the next day with severe neck or back pain, headaches, or dizziness. Collisions involving commercial trucks transfer enormous force into the smaller vehicle, which can lead to concussions, internal injuries, and spinal trauma that are not obvious at the scene.
If EMS offers to transport you from the scene, think carefully before declining. A visit to a local emergency room can identify problems that are easy to miss, especially head injuries and internal bleeding. If you choose not to go by ambulance, try to get checked out at an ER or urgent care clinic in College Station as soon as possible. Tell the medical staff that you were in a crash with a commercial truck, describe every symptom you notice, and do not downplay your pain.
Lastly, consistent follow up care, attending recommended imaging or specialist visits, and keeping a simple journal of your pain and limitations all strengthen your case and help your doctors understand how to treat you.
3. Document the Scene & Your Injuries If You Can
Evidence from the crash scene can fade quickly. Vehicles get towed, debris is swept away, and skid marks wear off or are hidden by new traffic patterns. If it is safe and you are physically able, use your phone to take photos and video before you leave.
Document the following:
- Vehicles: Take photos of all vehicles from multiple angles, including any damage under the bumpers, on the sides, and on the rear.
- Truck: Capture photos of the truck’s cab and trailer, license plates, and any company logos or identifying numbers.
- The scene: Document traffic lights or stop signs, lane markings, nearby intersections, and any construction or road hazards.
- Damage: Take pictures of skid marks, gouges in the pavement, and scattered debris.
- Weather conditions: Take pictures of the weather conditions, such as rain, fog, etc.
- Injuries: If you've suffered any visible injuries, be sure to take photos and videos of them as well.
If you notice nearby businesses, gas stations, or homes with security cameras facing the road, make a note of them. Footage from those cameras can be valuable if obtained quickly.
If your injuries prevent you from gathering this information, do not risk your health to try. Ask a passenger, family member, or friend to return to the scene as soon as possible to take photos and note potential camera locations.
4. Exchange Information With Involved Drivers & Witnesses
Keep your interactions with the truck driver and any company representatives brief and calm. Avoid discussing what happened, do not apologize, and do not speculate about speed, distraction, or fault. Innocent comments at the scene can be twisted later by insurers to suggest that you admitted fault when you did not.
Exchange the following information with the truck driver:
- Names
- Driver's license information
- Phone numbers
- License plate numbers
- The trucking company's name
- Insurance details
- U.S. DOT number or other markings on the cab and trailer
Get the names and contact information of anyone who saw the collision or stopped to help. Witnesses often leave before police finish their reports, and their independent accounts can make a big difference if the truck driver or company disputes what happened.
5. Be Careful What You Say to Insurance Adjusters & Trucking Companies
In many truck accidents, the insurance companies move faster than the injured person realizes. A commercial insurer or a representative of the trucking company may call soon after the crash. They may sound friendly and concerned, and they may say they just need to “get your side of the story” or “process the claim quickly.”
Insurance adjusters often call soon after a truck accident, asking for recorded statements or broad medical authorizations. While their questions may seem routine, they are trained to gather answers that could later be used to reduce or deny your claim. Casual remarks about feeling “okay” or guesses about details like speed or traffic signals can be treated as admissions.
You may need to cooperate with your own insurer, but the trucking company’s insurer is focused on protecting its driver and company. Before giving a detailed statement or signing anything, it is wise to speak with a lawyer.
If you do find yourself on the phone with an adjuster before contacting a lawyer, you can provide basic information like your name, contact details, and the fact that you were in a crash on a certain date and location. You can also say that you are receiving medical care. Then, politely explain that you do not wish to give a recorded statement or sign any authorizations until you have had an opportunity to consult with counsel.
6. Contact a College Station Truck Accident Lawyer as Soon as Possible
After a serious truck accident, many people wait to call a lawyer because they think they should “see how things go” with the insurance company first. By the time they realize the adjuster is not being fair, key evidence may already be gone. Involving a lawyer early can make a substantial difference in how a truck accident claim unfolds. From the start, we can take over communication with insurers, send preservation letters, and start building the foundation of your case while you focus on healing.
Other reasons to hire a truck accident attorney in College Station include:
- Strategic negotiation: An attorney can negotiate firmly with trucking companies and insurers that are focused on limiting payouts.
- Maximizing compensation: Your claim can be evaluated for the full range of damages available, including medical costs, lost income, and long-term impacts.
- Clear guidance: Legal terms and procedures are explained in plain language so you understand each step.
- Avoiding costly mistakes: Early advice helps prevent statements or actions that could weaken your case.
Overall, our team has handled truck accident cases similar to yours and understands the tactics commonly used by trucking companies and their insurers. We work to guard your rights, preserve critical evidence, and pursue the compensation you need to move forward.
Get Help Now
Every truck accident in College Station is different, with its own mix of injuries, insurance policies, and evidence. A short article cannot answer every question about your specific situation, and it is normal to feel unsure about your next move. If you were hurt in a crash with a commercial truck, or if a family member was seriously injured or killed, we invite you to reach out so we can talk through what happened and what options you may have.
Call our team at (855) 524-2976 or send us a message online.