What Should I Do After Being Injured In A Truck Accident In California?

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in California, you should get emergency medical help, have law enforcement document the crash, preserve as much evidence as possible, and call an experienced California truck accident lawyer like The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544 before you speak with any trucking or insurance company.

That’s the short version. Now let’s walk through exactly what to do right now and how to protect your health, your rights, and your financial future.

Getting hit by a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, big rig, delivery truck, or tractor-trailer is nothing like a typical fender-bender. These crashes on I-5, I-10, I-15, 101, 99, 60, 91, 405, 210, 14, 118 and other California highways and streets can leave you with catastrophic injuries, huge medical bills, and a powerful trucking company already working to limit what they pay.

This guide from The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus explains exactly what to do after a truck accident in California so you can:

• Protect your health

• Strengthen your legal case

• Avoid insurance traps

• Put yourself in the best position to recover maximum compensation

📞 If you’ve already been in a truck crash, you can call 818-784-8544 right now for a free consultation.

Quick Checklist: What to Do Right Now After a Truck Accident in California

Here’s your fast, plain-English checklist:

1. Get to safety and avoid further harm.

2. Call 911 – request police and paramedics.

3. Get medical care immediately, even if you “feel okay.”

4. Document the scene – photos, video, truck info, road conditions.

5. Get witness information before they leave.

6. Do NOT admit fault or apologize at the scene.

7. Do NOT give a detailed statement to the trucking company or their insurer.

8. Report the crash to your own insurance, but keep it brief.

9. Do NOT sign anything or accept a quick check.

10. Call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544 as soon as possible.

Now let’s break each step down in detail.

Step 1: Get to Safety and Check for Injuries

Truck accidents often happen at high speed and on busy roads. After the impact:

• Turn on your hazard lights.

• If you can safely move, pull your vehicle to the shoulder or a safe area.

• If the car can’t move and you’re on a freeway (like the 5, 10, 15, 101, 99, 405, 91, 210, etc.), staying inside the vehicle with your seatbelt on may be safer than standing on the roadway—unless there is immediate danger (fire, smoke, fuel leak).

Do a quick self-check:

• Neck, back, or head pain?

• Dizziness, confusion, loss of consciousness?

• Chest pain, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain?

• Bleeding, obvious fractures, inability to move limbs?

Check passengers as well. Do NOT try to “walk it off.” In a truck accident, the forces involved are huge; injuries can be serious even if you were “belted in” and your car doesn’t look totaled.

Step 2: Call 911 and Get Law Enforcement on Scene

Always call 911 after a truck accident with injury or major damage:

• Ask for police/CHP and paramedics.

• Give your exact location – highway, direction, nearest exit, or cross street.

The responding agency might be:

• California Highway Patrol (CHP) on freeways and many highways

• Local police if the crash happened on city streets

Why this is critical:

• The traffic collision report becomes a key document in your case.

• Law enforcement will document the scene, vehicles, and initial statements.

• Officers may test the truck driver for impairment if they suspect drugs or alcohol.

• If the truck driver later changes their story, that report is often your best defense.

👉 Even if the truck driver begs you to “keep it off the books” or “handle it privately,” call 911 anyway. They’re protecting themselves—not you.

Step 3: Get Immediate Medical Care (Even if Pain Is Mild at First)

With the adrenaline rush after a truck crash, you might not feel the full extent of your injuries right away. Many serious injuries develop symptoms hours or days later, including:

• Whiplash and other neck injuries

• Herniated or bulging spinal discs

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions

• Internal bleeding or organ damage

• Shoulder, knee, and hip injuries

• Fractures and joint damage

You should:

• Let paramedics evaluate you at the scene.

• Go to the ER or urgent care as soon as reasonably possible after the crash.

• Be honest and thorough about every area that hurts or feels “off” — even if it seems minor.

Immediate medical care:

• Protects your health and safety

• Creates a clear medical record linking your injuries to the crash

• Makes it much harder for the insurance company to argue your injuries came from something else

📞 If you’ve already gone to the ER or urgent care and are still in pain, call 818-784-8544 to talk to The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus about your options.

Step 4: Document the Scene Like a California Truck Accident Lawyer

If you’re physically able and it’s safe to do so, your phone is a powerful tool for your case.

Take photos and video of:

• The truck (front, back, sides), including:

  • Company name and logo

  • USDOT or CA number

  • License plate and trailer plate

• Your vehicle and any other vehicles from multiple angles

• All visible damage – close-ups and wide shots

• Skid marks, debris, fluid spills, and the final resting positions of vehicles

• Road conditions, weather, lighting, and any visual obstructions

• Traffic signals, signs, and markings

• Your visible injuries (bruises, cuts, swelling, etc.)

If you can, also:

• Photograph or video the truck driver (their condition and behavior).

• Note if they seem tired, distracted, or impaired.

Truck cases often involve disputes about:

• Speed

• Lane changes

• Following distance

• Sudden stops

• Blind spots

Good photos and videos can help accident reconstruction experts show exactly how the crash happened.

Step 5: Get Witness Information Before They Leave

Truck crashes often attract attention. If anyone saw what happened:

• Ask for their name and cell phone number.

• If they’re willing, get an email address too.

• You can ask them to send you a brief text or email explaining what they saw.

Witnesses can be crucial, especially if:

• The truck driver claims you caused the crash.

• There are conflicting stories about speeding, lane changes, or signals.

At The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus, we follow up with witnesses and secure formal statements when needed. We want neutral people backing up what you already know: the truck driver or trucking company was at fault.

📞 Already have witness info? Call 818-784-8544 and we’ll help you use it the right way.

Step 6: Be Careful What You Say at the Scene

After a high-impact collision, it’s natural to feel shaken and emotional. But remember:

• Do NOT apologize (“I’m sorry,” “I didn’t see you,” etc.) — it can be twisted into an admission of fault.

• Stick to basic facts when speaking with police and others.

• Don’t argue with the truck driver or their employer.

The less you say beyond the essential facts, the better. Let the evidence speak for itself.

Step 7: Report the Crash to Your Insurance – But Be Brief

You generally must report an accident to your own insurance company within a reasonable time, or as required by your policy.

When you call:

• Confirm basic details: date, time, location, and vehicles involved.

• State that you were injured and are receiving medical treatment.

• Do not volunteer long explanations or guesses about fault.

• You can politely decline to give a recorded statement until you’ve talked to a lawyer.

If the trucking company’s insurer calls you (and they will):

• You are not required to give a recorded statement to them.

• They are trained to ask questions that minimize your injuries and shift blame onto you.

• You can say:

  “I’m not comfortable giving a statement. I’m getting medical care and speaking with an attorney.”

Then call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544 and let us handle all further communication.

Step 8: Do NOT Sign Anything or Accept a Quick Settlement

Trucking and insurance companies often try to move fast after a serious California truck accident:

• They may offer you a quick, small settlement to “help with your bills.”

• They may ask you to sign forms or a “release.”

• They may act friendly and supportive while trying to close your case cheaply.

Here’s the problem:

Once you sign a release and take a check, you usually cannot go back for more — even if you later learn you need surgery, injections, or long-term treatment.

Serious injuries from truck accidents can take months or years to fully understand. A small quick check now can cost you tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars later.

📞 Before you sign or accept anything, call 818-784-8544 so we can review it and protect you.

Step 9: Call a California Truck Accident Lawyer as Soon as Possible

This is the step most people wait too long to take.

When you call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus after a truck accident in California:

• Your consultation is free.

• You pay no upfront legal fees — we work on a contingency fee (we only get paid if we recover money for you).

• We start protecting you from day one by:

  • Preserving crucial evidence (like black box and ELD data).

  • Stopping insurance companies from taking advantage of you.

  • Helping you get the medical care you need.

We handle truck accident cases across California, including:

• Los Angeles & Southern California

• Orange County & Inland Empire

• San Diego & Ventura County

• Central Valley (Bakersfield, Fresno, etc.)

• Bay Area & Northern California

📞 If you’re wondering, “Should I get a lawyer for this truck accident?” the answer is almost always yes. Call 818-784-8544 now.

Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different (and More Dangerous) Than Car Accident Cases

Understanding why these cases are different explains why you need a lawyer quickly.

1. You’re Facing a Corporate Defendant, Not Just a Driver

Truck accidents often involve:

• A commercial driver

• A trucking company or motor carrier

• Sometimes a broker, shipper, or trailer owner

• And multiple insurance policies

These entities usually have:

• Rapid response teams at the ready

• Lawyers and adjusters who handle truck claims all day, every day

• A strong financial motive to limit what they pay you

You deserve someone on your side with experience and firepower.

2. Crucial Evidence Can Be Lost or Destroyed

Key evidence in a truck accident includes:

• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data

• Engine Control Module (ECM) / black box data

• Hours-of-service logs

• Inspection, maintenance, and repair records

• Driver qualification and training files

• Dispatch, GPS, and load documentation

Some of this data is overwritten or purged after a short period unless your lawyer sends formal spoliation letters and acts quickly.

If you don’t get a truck accident lawyer involved quickly, the trucking company’s evidence can quietly disappear—and with it, your ability to prove negligence.

3. Federal and State Trucking Regulations Are Complex

Truck drivers and trucking companies are governed by:

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs)

• California state safety and vehicle codes

Potential violations include:

• Driving too many hours without rest

• Failing to perform required inspections

• Ignoring weight limits or improperly securing cargo

• Driving while distracted, fatigued, or impaired

These rules can turn a “he said, she said” crash into a clear case of negligence—if your lawyer knows how to uncover and use them.

4. Truck Accident Injuries Are Often Life-Changing

Because trucks are so heavy, injuries are often:

• Catastrophic

• Permanent

• Extremely expensive to treat

You may need:

• Surgeries and future surgeries

• Long-term physical therapy or rehab

• Pain management and injections

• Assistive devices (braces, walkers, wheelchairs)

• Time off work or a complete career change

A California truck accident lawyer helps ensure your settlement or verdict accounts for future medical needs and future lost income, not just the bills you’ve already received.

What Compensation Can I Recover After a Truck Accident in California?

Depending on your case, you may be entitled to recover:

• Past medical expenses (ER, hospital, MRIs, PT, surgery, meds)

• Future medical expenses (ongoing treatment, future procedures)

• Lost wages (time you missed from work)

• Loss of earning capacity (if you can’t return to your old job or hours)

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress (anxiety, PTSD, depression)

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• Scarring and disfigurement

• Loss of consortium (impact on marital relationship)

• Property damage (vehicle and personal property)

• Wrongful death damages, if you lost a loved one

At The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus, we build your case to reflect the full impact of the crash on your life — not just a line of medical bills.

📞 Want to understand what your truck accident case might be worth? Call 818-784-8544.

How The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus Helps After a California Truck Accident

When you hire us, we:

1. Investigate and Preserve Evidence

• Obtain the police/CHP report

• Send spoliation letters to preserve ELD/black box and log data

• Work with accident reconstruction experts when needed

• Identify all responsible parties and insurance policies

2. Coordinate Your Medical Care and Documentation

• Help you find appropriate doctors, specialists, and therapists

• Make sure your injuries and limitations are properly documented

• Track all bills and records to build a complete damages picture

3. Protect You From Insurance Company Tactics

• Take over all communications with insurers

• Prevent harmful recorded statements

• Fight back against lowball offers and unfair blame

4. Negotiate Aggressively — and Litigate When Necessary

• Prepare a detailed settlement demand

• Negotiate based on real evidence and full damages

• File a lawsuit and prepare for trial if the trucking company and its insurer won’t be fair

Our goal is simple: to win you the maximum compensation the law allows.

FAQ: What Should I Do After Being Injured in a Truck Accident in California?

Do I really need a lawyer after a truck accident?

In almost every case with real injury, yes. Trucking companies and insurers have teams protecting their interests. You deserve someone protecting yours.

How soon should I call a lawyer?

As soon as possible. Evidence disappears fast, and the trucking company may already be working against you. Calling 818-784-8544 quickly gives us the best chance to preserve evidence and build a strong case.

What if I think I’m partially at fault?

California’s comparative negligence law may still allow you to recover compensation even if you’re partially at fault. Don’t assume you have no case—let us evaluate the facts.

How much does it cost to hire The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus?

You pay no upfront fees. We work on a contingency fee — we only get paid if we recover money for you.

Bottom Line: After a Truck Accident in California, You Don’t Have to Fight Alone

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident anywhere in California, you’re up against:

• A powerful trucking company

• Sophisticated insurance carriers

• Complex laws and regulations

You do not have to face this alone.

The smartest move you can make right now is to:

📞 Call The Law Offices Of Gerald L. Marcus at 818-784-8544

• Free, confidential consultation

• No fee unless we win

• A proven team that knows how to handle California truck accident cases and fight for maximum compensation

Don’t wait. Waiting only helps the trucking company and its insurer — not you.