The First 72 Hours After
a Truck Accident
Protect Your Health. Preserve What Matters.
After a truck crash, medical care comes first. Once immediate safety needs are addressed, a few practical steps can help you document what happened and avoid losing important information.
Brandon Smith Law helps people injured in truck and commercial vehicle collisions throughout Gwinnett County and across Georgia. Use this checklist to organize your next steps, whether you are recovering at home or helping an injured family member.
The first 72 hours are an organizing guide—not a legal filing deadline. If more time has passed, you can still contact us to discuss your circumstances.
Immediately After the Crash: Safety Comes First
Call 911 and follow emergency responders’ instructions. Do not put yourself in traffic or approach a damaged truck, spilled cargo or leaking fuel to collect evidence.
Get medical care and follow your treatment instructions. Gathering photographs or paperwork should never delay necessary care.
If you can safely exchange information, obtain the driver’s name, insurance information and vehicle details. Note the trucking company’s name, license plates and any USDOT or MC numbers visible on the vehicle.
Ask the responding officer how to obtain the crash report and save the report or incident number.
Within the First Day: Save the Information You Already Have
Keep original photographs and videos of the vehicles, roadway, debris, traffic signals and surrounding conditions. Back them up without editing or deleting the originals.
Save witness names and contact information. Preserve dashcam recordings promptly, since some systems record over older footage.
Write down what you remember while it is fresh: the location, direction of travel, weather, traffic and sequence of events. Separate what you personally observed from what someone else told you.
Notify your insurance company promptly. Ask what your policy requires and keep the claim number, adjuster’s contact information and copies of your communications. Provide accurate information and avoid guessing about details you do not know.
Over the Next Two Days: Organize Care, Records and Expenses
Create one place to keep discharge instructions, appointment information, prescriptions, medical bills and crash-related receipts.
Record missed work and any changes to your ability to manage everyday activities. Keep your notes factual and update them as circumstances change.
Save letters, emails, texts and voicemails from insurers, the trucking company and other people involved in the claim.
Before authorizing repairs, disposal or transfer of your damaged vehicle, discuss inspection and evidence-preservation needs with your insurer and attorney. Address towing and storage charges promptly so they do not accumulate unnecessarily.
Seek legal advice before signing a settlement release or broad authorization. Before giving the opposing insurer a recorded statement, discuss the request with an attorney. Continue meeting your own policy’s notice and cooperation requirements.
Evidence That May Need Prompt Attention
Some important evidence will be held by the trucking company, other businesses or third parties. Depending on the collision, it may include:
Truck and passenger-vehicle electronic data
Dashcam and nearby surveillance recordings
Driver logs and supporting trip records
Dispatch messages and delivery information
Vehicle inspection and maintenance records
Driver qualification and training records
Cargo-loading documents
The vehicles and damaged components
Not every vehicle records the same information, and different records have different retention requirements. Camera footage may be overwritten and vehicles may be repaired or moved.
An attorney can identify potential evidence holders, send preservation requests and evaluate whether further legal action is needed to obtain or protect evidence. A preservation letter does not itself guarantee that every item will be retained or produced.
Your First-72-Hours Checklist
Keep medical documents, receipts and work-loss records.
Save claim-related messages and correspondence.
Discuss vehicle inspection before repairs or disposal.
Get advice before signing a settlement release.
Ask about preserving trucking-company and third-party evidence
Get medical care and follow treatment instructions.
Save the crash report or incident number.
Preserve photographs, recordings and witness details.
Notify your insurer and review your policy requirements.
Help With Your Next Steps
You do not need to gather every record before contacting Brandon Smith Law. Bring what you have, and tell us what remains uncertain.
Brandon’s trial experience and background representing insurers and corporations inform how he evaluates liability, insurance questions and evidence. The firm can discuss your circumstances, explain the representation process and identify issues requiring further investigation.
Based in Peachtree Corners, Brandon Smith Law represents injured people across Gwinnett County and Georgia.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Not necessarily. This checklist does not establish a filing deadline. Contact an attorney to evaluate the deadlines and evidence issues that apply to your case, even if days or weeks have passed.
-
Your medical care comes first. Other sources may include responding officers, witnesses, vehicle cameras and nearby businesses. An attorney can investigate what evidence remains available.
-
Notify your insurer promptly and comply with your policy’s requirements. Provide accurate information. If you are unsure about a requested statement or document, seek advice promptly rather than ignoring the request.
-
Yes. A trusted person can help save documents, record contact information and arrange an initial call. The firm will explain any authorization needed to discuss private information or act on the injured person’s behalf.
-
Bring any crash-report information, photographs, insurance details, medical paperwork and correspondence you have. You do not need a complete file to request an initial consultation.
Questions After a Truck Crash? Start Here.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck collision, contact Brandon Smith Law to discuss your next steps.
📞 CALL (678) 831-5278 or request a free consultation online.
The initial consultation is free. Before representation begins, we explain the fee agreement, attorney fees and how case expenses are handled.
