Truck accident claims: what to do and how a claim works
Last updated: November 10, 2026
A crash with a commercial truck starts with the same steps as any accident: safety, a police report, photos, witnesses and insurance details. The difference is who pays: the driver, the trucking company and others can share responsibility, and federal trucking rules can matter.
What to do after a truck accident
Get safe and call 911
Stay clear of the truck and traffic, turn on your hazard lights, and call 911 so police and help can come.
Get a police report
Ask the officer for the report number, and how to get a copy. Truck crashes are often investigated in more detail.
Take photos
Photograph the truck, the trailer, the company name and the numbers painted on the cab, the damage, the road and any cargo.
Find witnesses
Take the names and numbers of anyone who saw the crash, including other drivers who stopped.
Get the driver's and company's details
Write down the driver's name, the trucking company, its insurer and policy number, and the truck's plate.
Tell your insurer
Report the accident to your own insurance company promptly and keep the claim number.
Keep records and receipts
Save repair estimates, towing and rental bills, lost-time records and every letter about the crash.
Act quickly on evidence and deadlines
Trucking records such as driver logs may not be kept forever, and every state has a deadline to bring a claim.
Who pays
Trucking companies carry commercial liability policies, which usually have higher limits than a family car's. The driver, the company that owns or leases the truck, the shipper that loaded it, or a repair shop may each share responsibility.
Interstate trucks follow federal safety rules on driver hours, vehicle upkeep and record keeping. Whether a rule was broken can be part of the claim. Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may also help.
How long you have
Every state limits how long you have to bring an accident claim. In most states the deadline is two to three years from the accident, some states allow less, and claims against a city, county or state agency often need a written notice within months.
Once the deadline passes, you can lose the right to be paid at all, so check yours early. The state guides list the deadlines in Florida, Texas, California, Georgia and New York, with the law each comes from.
How CaseHelp helps
Start with the free case check: a few questions about what happened. Then Sarah, CaseHelp's AI assistant, or a member of our team calls to go over your answers and your options.
If you have a claim, we introduce you to an independent partner law firm. Accident lawyers usually work on contingency, which means no fee unless they win; case costs may apply. There is no obligation at any step.
Deadlines and fault rules by state
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Why are truck accident claims different?
More than one company may be responsible, the insurance is commercial, and federal trucking rules and records can be part of the evidence.
Who is responsible: the driver or the company?
It depends on the facts. A company can be responsible for its driver's conduct and for how it hires, trains and maintains its trucks.
What records matter in a truck crash?
Driver logs, electronic logging data, maintenance and inspection records, and the truck's own data can all matter. A lawyer can ask that they be kept.
Should I talk to the trucking company's insurer?
You do not have to give a recorded statement right away. Commercial insurers often move fast, so many people speak with a lawyer first.
CaseHelp is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. This page is general information, not legal advice, and laws change. For advice about your own situation, talk to a licensed lawyer in your state.