What to Do After a Truck Accident

No one wants to know what to do after a truck accident until they do not have a choice. Understanding your rights and taking the right steps post-accident protects your health, your rights, and the value of your future claim.

Here we have provided a simple checklist to guide you in the hours and days ahead. Still, having skilled, experienced legal assistance is your best move. With more than 45 years serving injured Coloradans and over $2 billion recovered for our clients, we bring local clout and national strength to every case we take on.

Call the Denver truck accident lawyers at Burg Simpson at 303-792-5595 or contact us online for a FREE case evaluation. We proudly serve clients in Denver, along the Front Range, and throughout Colorado. As Good Lawyers. Changing Lives®, we pursue maximum compensation so you and your family have the support you need during this difficult time.

Here Is What to Do After a Truck Accident

1. Prioritize Safety & Call 911

Move to a safe location if you can do so without putting yourself at further risk. Call 911 to report the crash and request medical assistance. In Colorado, crashes that involve injury or significant property damage should be reported. Reporting is generally the safest course of action because it documents the incident and ensures that medical help is on the way.

2. Get Medical Care Now (Even If You Feel ‘Okay’)

Adrenaline can mask symptoms. A same-day evaluation creates a medical record that ties your injuries to the crash and helps you recover sooner.

3. Document the Scene Thoroughly

If you are able, gather:

• Photos and video of vehicle positions, skid marks, cargo spills, road conditions, and visible injuries
• The truck’s USDOT or company identifiers, plate numbers, and trailer numbers
• The driver’s name, employer, and insurance information
• Names and contact details of witnesses
• The responding law enforcement agency’s contact information, so your lawyer can obtain the full report later

The more complete your documentation, the stronger the foundation of your case will be.

4. Be Careful What You Say

Exchange necessary information, but do not apologize, speculate about fault, or give recorded statements at the scene. Limit discussions to the facts. Anything beyond that can be taken out of context later.

5. Preserve Critical Trucking Evidence

Commercial trucking cases turn on evidence that disappears quickly. This can include electronic logging device (ELD) data, hours-of-service records, driver qualification files, dispatch notes, maintenance records, dashcam footage, and bills of lading. Motor carriers are required to retain certain ELD/RODS data for only a limited period, often six months. An attorney can send immediate preservation letters to secure this material.

6. Notify Your Insurer Promptly, But Do Not Guess About Fault

Report the crash to your insurer within the time limits in your policy. Provide basics only. Do not guess about injuries or vehicle damage before you have medical and repair evaluations. If another insurer calls, you may decline a recorded statement until you have spoken with counsel.

7. Start a Claim File & Expense Log

Create a simple folder (digital or paper) for:

• Medical records & itemized bills
• Pharmacy receipts
• Out-of-pocket costs
• Repair estimates & rental car invoices
• Proof of lost wages or reduced hours
• A symptom journal noting pain levels, missed activities & medical visits

This day-to-day record helps demonstrate the full impact of the crash on your life.

8. Understand Key Colorado Rules That Affect Your Claim

• Reporting: Drivers should promptly report crashes that involve injury, death, or property damage. When in doubt, report.
• Comparative Negligence: Colorado reduces compensation by your percentage of fault, and bars recovery if you are 50% or more at fault. A skilled attorney can make sure you are not assigned any extra fault.
• Deadlines: Most motor-vehicle injury claims must be filed within 3 years of the crash (different limits can apply to property damage and wrongful death). Claims involving a government entity may require a written notice within 182 days of discovering the injury. Consult with a truck accident lawyer promptly to avoid missing any of these deadlines.

9. Do Not Post About the Crash on Social Media

Insurance companies and defense teams monitor public posts. Avoid comments, photos, or videos about the crash, your injuries, or your activities. Even an innocent post can be misinterpreted.

10. Choose a Colorado Truck Accident Lawyer Early

Truck crash cases move fast. Trucking companies and their insurers often have rapid-response teams on call. Your attorney should move just as quickly to:

• Send preservation letters for ELD data, dashcam/surveillance video, and maintenance records
• Inspect the tractor, trailer, and scene before key evidence disappears
• Coordinate with qualified experts (accident reconstruction, trucking safety, biomechanics, and medical specialists)
• Navigate complex liability issues (shipper, broker, motor carrier, maintenance contractor, or loading yard)
• Handle insurer communications so you are not pressured into early low offers or recorded statements

Early legal help levels the playing field and protects the evidence that can be used to prove fault and damages.

Remember What NOT to Do After a Truck Accident

• Do NOT admit fault or apologize.
• Do NOT delay medical care.
• Do NOT give recorded or written statements to insurers before receiving legal advice.
• Do NOT post about the crash or your injuries on social media.
• Do NOT discard damaged parts; keep all repair estimates, invoices, and photographs.
• Do NOT miss deadlines (including the 182-day notice for potential claims involving government entities).

Frequently Asked Questions About Denver Truck Crashes

Here are some common questions regarding what to do after a truck accident in Denver:

Do I Need a Police Report If My Injuries Seem Minor?

Yes. Getting the incident documented helps confirm what happened and who was involved. Officers may choose not to file a report for truly minor property-damage-only events, but asking for one is advisable.

What If the Truck Was Owned by a City, County, or State Agency?

Colorado’s Governmental Immunity Act may require a notice of claim within 182 days of discovering the injury in many cases. Missing that notice can end a case before it starts. Contact counsel immediately.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?

For most motor vehicle injury cases, Colorado’s statute of limitations is 3 years from the crash date. There are exceptions, so ask a lawyer to evaluate your specific timeline now.

How Burg Simpson’s Denver Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help

At Burg Simpson, we treat you with compassion and stand by your side as we work to secure the compensation you deserve. We bring local knowledge, extensive legal experience, and the resources of a national firm to your case. We keep you informed, return your calls, and try to make the process less overwhelming.

Our role is to reduce the burden on you and your family. We will investigate, gather evidence, and pursue full and fair compensation for your medical care, lost income, and the very real losses you have suffered. When accountability is contested, we are prepared to try your case in court.

Contact Our Team Today for a FREE Case Evaluation

If you have questions about your rights after a truck accident, contact Burg Simpson for a FREE case evaluation. Our Denver truck accident lawyers have taken on motor carriers and insurers in order to secure the compensation our clients deserve.

Want to know what to do after a truck accident? We will help you figure it out. We serve clients in the Denver metro area, including Englewood, and throughout the state of Colorado.