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Jun 02, 2026
There are few accidents more terrifying than a collision with a commercial truck. These accidents have the devastating potential to alter the course of your entire life, and the injuries that can occur are often catastrophic. Whether you have been injured in a rollover accident caused by a truck on I-35 or a truck driver neglected to check their blind spots and collided with your vehicle in South Lamar, knowing what to do after a truck accident in Austin is crucial.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Austin
In a single year, 76,000 people are injured in trucking accidents across the United States, and 65% of all traffic fatalities occur due to overloaded commercial trucks. While these vehicles are a vital part of our economy—72.4% of American freight is transported using trucks—they pose a huge threat to other drivers on the roadway when handled negligently.
When you find yourself in the aftermath of a truck accident in Austin, it’s important to protect both your own physical safety and the viability of a future personal injury claim. To do so, take the following steps:
- Move to safety. First, you need to move yourself to a place of safety if possible. If you are able, you should also try to move your vehicle off the road and onto the shoulder before activating your hazard lights. Assess the condition of any other passengers and do not move anyone who appears to be suffering a head, neck, or back injury.
- Call 911. Even if injuries appear minor, you should still call 911. In Texas, you are required to report any accident to the police that involves death, injury, or property damage exceeding $1,000. Once the police arrive, they can create an official report that can be useful in your future claim.
- Document the scene. If it is safe for you to do so, use your phone to take photographs and videos of the accident scene. You should capture the damage to your vehicle, the details of the truck, such as the license plate number, and any of your visible injuries.
- Exchange information. It is important that you exchange contact information with all the involved parties. You should try to record the truck driver’s name, their CDL, insurance information, employer information, and their USDOT number. You should also record the contact information for anyone who may have witnessed the accident take place.
- Receive medical care. Even if you feel uninjured, it is wise to get checked out by your doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries are not always immediate following an accident. Make certain to hold onto all records, bills, and receipts related to medical care.
- Notify insurance. You need to then report the accident to your insurance provider. Stick to the simple facts of the accident and do not, under any circumstances, admit to any kind of fault. If the truck driver’s insurance company contacts you, do not provide them with any kind of statement without an attorney present or before receiving any legal counsel.
- Contact an attorney. Lastly, you need to hire an attorney as soon as possible. There are multiple, highly complicated layers to a truck accident in Austin, and it is vital to have a knowledgeable lawyer by your side who can help gather evidence, preserve all related records, and negotiate for full compensation.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Trucking Accident?
Unlike Austin-area car accidents, truck crashes tend to involve more than one at-fault, or liable, party. Your attorney can help review all of the details of the crash to help you identify who these parties may be and who may be on the hook for paying compensation. These parties often include:
- The truck driver, such as in cases of speeding or drunk driving
- The trucking company, in cases of negligent hiring practices or overworking drivers
- Maintenance providers for the truck, in cases where a mechanical issue is to blame for the accident
- Cargo loaders, in cases where overloaded cargo or improperly secured cargo caused the accident
- The manufacturers of the truck or parts of the truck, in product defect situations
FAQs
What Are the Most Common Injuries Suffered in a Truck Accident?
In a truck accident, the most common injuries typically suffered include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures and broken bones, internal injuries, such as internal bleeding or organ damage, severe burns, cuts, bruises, and lacerations, the loss of a limb or medically necessary amputations, and psychological trauma, such as anxiety or depression.
What if I Was Unable to Collect Evidence at the Scene?
If you were unable to collect evidence at the scene of the accident due to serious injuries, that is where your attorney can step in and help. At The Stewart Law Firm, our attorneys can help obtain evidence regarding the accident after the fact by retrieving police reports, contacting possible witnesses, and accessing your medical records.
What Can I Do if I Have Lost a Loved One in a Truck Accident in Texas?
If you have lost a loved one in a truck accident in Texas, the team at The Stewart Law Firm understands that no amount of money will bring them back to you. However, there are still several legal options available to you and your family that can help bring about closure. Your attorney can help file a wrongful death claim, allowing you to recover damages such as funeral and burial costs in Texas.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Truck Accident?
In a truck accident, there are several forms of compensation you may be able to recover. Depending on the accident itself and the severity of your injuries, you may be able to recover damages such as all related medical costs, lost wages, lost employment benefits, loss of your future earning ability, pain and suffering, loss of the enjoyment of life, and, in rare cases, punitive damages.
Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you have suffered injury and property damage in an accident with a semi or other large commercial vehicle, you need to hire a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. At The Stewart Law Firm, we have been protecting clients for decades and are now ready to work for you. Contact our offices today to schedule a consultation.
