What to Do If You Were Hit by a Drunk Truck Driver

Thousands of people are injured and killed in crashes with large trucks every year. Some of the drivers of those trucks are intoxicated. When you are hit by a drunk truck driver, it is important that you take steps to protect your rights and help ensure you receive the compensation you need to recover.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, between 2020 and 2024, there were 287,984 drug and alcohol violations issued to commercial drivers. Of course, not all of these drivers cause accidents, but thousands do. Even one serious wreck caused by a drunk truck driver is too many.

Truck collisions often cause severe injuries because of the size and weight difference. People hit by a drunk truck driver commonly suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage, and similarly life-changing consequences. These can result in excessive medical bills, an inability to work, and untold amounts of pain and suffering. When they are the result of such gross negligence as drinking before driving a large truck, victims deserve to be compensated for all of these things and more.

Reach Out for a No-Cost Consultation

If you were hit by a drunk truck driver in Denver or anywhere in Colorado, call Burg Simpson at 303-792-5595 to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation case review with one of our experienced truck crash lawyers as soon as possible. We are here to explain your rights and options, and to help you choose how best to move forward with your claim.

Steps to Take After Being Hit by a Drunk Truck Driver

\Truck accidents often result in debilitating injury. This means it may be impossible for you to take action on the scene of the crash. The two most important things to do after a truck accident are seeking medical help and talking to a qualified lawyer as soon as possible about your options. Your truck crash attorney can help you sort out all the details.

Equally important is what not to do, like admitting fault or accepting an insurance offer before talking to a lawyer. Once you have accepted an offer from insurance, you will most likely be barred from seeking additional compensation.

With that in mind, if possible, after you are hit by a drunk truck driver, you should:

• Call 911 and ask for police and medical help. This is important even if you feel okay. You will want police documentation.
• Prioritize your safety at the scene. If you can move to a safe location, do it. If you cannot, stay put and wait for help.
• Tell emergency personnel what you saw. If you saw telltale signs of intoxication, like swerving or noticed the smell of alcohol, slurred speech, or an open container, be sure to include that information.
• Document everything you can. Use your phone to capture:
  • Vehicle position and damage
  • Skid marks and debris
  • Road signs, lane markings, and weather conditions
  • The truck company’s name and logos
• Collect identifying information. For a commercial truck, this can include:
  • Driver name and contact details
  • CDL information
  • Truck and trailer license plates
  • The trucking company name
  • USDOT number
• Get witness information. Independent witnesses matter, especially when it comes to identifying signs of intoxication the trucker may have exhibited before or after the crash.

Do not discuss fault at the scene. Keep things straightforward. Cooperate with police and EMTs, exchange necessary information, and gather as much documentation as you can, but avoid making assumptions or taking the blame.

As soon as possible after you have left the scene, you should:

• Get checked by a medical professional. Follow up as quickly as possible with urgent care, an ER, or your doctor. Latent onset of symptoms is not uncommon after truck accidents, and early records can provide key evidence.
• Request a copy of the crash report. That report can confirm whether impairment was suspected, whether a test was administered, and which agencies were at the scene.
• Start a file. Be sure to keep:
  • Medical bills and discharge instructions
  • Photos and videos
  • Tow and rental car receipts
  • Pay stubs and missed work documentation
  • A daily symptoms log
• Hire a truck accident lawyer. Talk to a lawyer as soon as you can. Truck cases often involve time-sensitive evidence like electronic data, driver logs, and surveillance footage, which may be deleted after a few months.

Avoid social media posts about the wreck. Insurance companies and defense teams look for anything they can twist to make it seem like their client is innocent. Do not give them anything to work with. And, again, do not take an insurance offer before talking to a lawyer. A quick settlement may seem like a great idea, but it will likely be much less than what you are truly owed.

How a Lawyer Can Help When You Are Hit by a Drunk Truck Driver

A truck accident lawyer can take immediate steps to preserve and obtain key evidence, including truck crash-specific evidence that can easily be overlooked. This is important because even though a drunk truck driver might be mostly responsible, there could be other liable parties as well.

For example:

• If an unrealistic schedule makes drug or alcohol use more likely, hours-of-service logs may suggest broker liability.
• If negligent hiring, poor drug and alcohol policies, or inadequate supervision played a role, the trucking company may bear some responsibility.
• If poor vehicle maintenance contributed to the crash, a mechanic might be partially liable.

Making sure all liable parties are identified is essential when trying to maximize your compensation.

In addition to identifying all liable parties after you have been hit by a drunk truck driver, your lawyers will calculate the actual value of your losses. These might include:

• Past and future medical costs
• Current and future lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent impairment or disability
• Home or vehicle modifications
• Emotional distress

Remember, it is important that you do not accept an offer from insurance until after you have talked to a dedicated truck crash lawyer. It is likely that whatever insurance is willing to pay upfront is less than what your lifelong damages are worth.

Your truck accident lawyer will negotiate with all involved insurance companies for a fair settlement. If a settlement cannot be reached, they can also take your case to trial to seek full compensation. This is why choosing a truck crash attorney with proven trial experience is so important. Many lawyers can sit through settlement negotiations. Not all of them are trial-ready.

Hit by a Drunk Truck Driver? Burg Simpson Can Help

Burg Simpson is a nationally recognized law firm with dozens of trial attorneys who have helped our clients recover over $2 billion in settlements and verdicts. Our team has the resources and experience to investigate these crashes, identify the responsible parties, and fight for the fair and full compensation you are due.

We work on a contingency basis, meaning we only get paid after we have secured compensation on your behalf. You have nothing to lose by calling us for your free consultation, where we can listen to your experiences, discuss all of your options, and help you determine how to pursue the justice you deserve.

Good Lawyers. Changing Lives. Talk to Us for FREE

If you were hit by a drunk truck driver in Colorado, contact Burg Simpson online or call our Denver office to schedule your FREE consultation today. We serve victims of drunk truck drivers throughout Colorado.