What To Do After A Truck Accident In California (2026)

Get Medical Help Immediately

Step one involves seeking treatment for any personal injury you suffer during the crash. Even if you feel “fine,” you should obtain a medical evaluation. Get treated on scene and allow EMS to transport you to the hospital if they recommend additional treatment. Follow up with your doctor as needed.

Medical records from the day of your accident will be invaluable if you file a claim. Additionally, prompt treatment allows you to understand and address your injuries.

Report the Truck Accident to the Police

You should report the accident to law enforcement right away. Call 911 at the scene and ensure a crash report is generated. The responding officer will provide you with a case number, which you can use to access the report once it is finalized.

When talking to law enforcement, be honest, but don’t admit fault. Stick to the basics, like what direction you were traveling and the manner of impact (i.e., front to rear, head-on, etc.). Don’t try to fill in the blanks. Instead, stick with what you know.

Gather On-Scene Evidence and Documentation

While you wait for law enforcement to arrive, do your best to gather evidence at the scene. Here are some steps you can take to gather and protect critical evidence:

• Take photos of the vehicles, skid marks, injuries, and the surrounding environment
• Write down the truck driver’s name, employer, truck make and model, and tag
• Get contact info for any witnesses
• Make some notes on what happened

While law enforcement will do their own investigation, you want to collect as many details as possible. That way, you can contact a lawyer without waiting for the final police report. While your attorney will eventually need the official report, they can evaluate your case using the preliminary information you provide.

Notify Your Insurance Company Promptly

You’ll need to inform your insurer about the crash, too. Keep the report factual and avoid speculating who’s at fault. Don’t delay, as waiting too long could jeopardize your ability to recover damages for the truck accident.

Remember, the insurer is not fully on your side. While you may be their customer, the insurer wants to minimize their out-of-pocket expenses, which may not be in your best interests.

Provide essential details and stop there. Whatever you do, don’t sign a settlement agreement with either insurance company, as doing so could forfeit your right to pursue additional compensation.

Don’t Talk to Insurance Adjusters Without Legal Counsel

Soon after the crash, you may receive a call from the truck company’s insurer or your own adjuster. They may seem friendly, but their job is to limit payouts. They want to settle the claim as cheaply as possible. With that in mind, don’t give a recorded statement or accept a settlement without speaking to an attorney.

A truck accident lawyer will contact the insurance companies on your behalf. They can protect you from an insurer’s manipulative or unscrupulous attempts to limit your payout.

Avoid Social Media Posts About the Accident

It may be tempting to share updates online, but even innocent posts can be used against you. Insurance companies and defense attorneys often check social media for anything that contradicts your injury claims. Even something as simple as saying, “I’m fine,” in a social media post could be used as “evidence” to dispute the severity of your injuries.

Consult a California Truck Accident Lawyer

An experienced attorney can litigate a truck accident on your behalf. Additionally, they can help you pursue a fair settlement amount based on the unique circumstances surrounding your case. The average truck accident settlement is over $100,000, but the exact value of your claim will vary based on the unique circumstances of the case.

Your attorney will need to consider everything from your medical bills and time missed from work to your pain and suffering. A qualified California truck accident lawyer will also help you:

• Understand your legal options
• Collect additional evidence
• Deal with aggressive insurance companies

Most truck accident lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay unless they win your case.

Get Connected With an Experienced Attorney Today!

Now that you know what to do after a truck accident in California, it’s time to act. Every day that passes, valuable evidence could be lost forever. ConsumerShield can connect you with an experienced truck accident lawyer near you, whether you're in Los Angeles, Santa Diego, or anywhere else in California. Complete our contact form today!