If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Call 911 if anyone is hurt, if you have neck or back pain, numbness, a head injury or chest pain, or if the truck is leaking fuel or on fire.
- 2If you can, set out warning devices and move away from traffic. Do not climb down from a damaged cab if you are dizzy or in pain; wait for help.
- 3Notify your dispatcher, safety department or carrier as soon as you are able, following your company's crash procedure.
- 4Get the other drivers' names, insurance and plate numbers, and the police report number.
- 5Photograph the vehicles, the road, the load and the scene if it is safe.
- 6Write down your route, load, hours that shift, weather and what happened in your own words.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Truck drivers can be hurt in collisions, jackknifes and rollovers, or when cargo shifts. A crash report is not the same as an injury report. Make sure your injuries are reported to your employer in writing. Climbing down from the cab, being thrown against the steering wheel or door, and injuries while securing a load after a crash all count as injuries worth reporting.
If another driver, a shipper that loaded the trailer, or a maintenance shop played a part, there may be third-party questions in addition to workers' comp. Ask questions before giving statements to other companies' insurers. Your carrier will often send its own investigator or ask you for a statement. It is reasonable to ask who they represent and to request a copy of anything you sign.
Some drivers are classified as independent contractors or owner-operators, which can affect coverage. That label is not always the final word. Ask your state's workers' compensation agency or an attorney if you are unsure. Lease agreements and settlement statements can help show your work relationship, so keep copies.
Deadlines vary by state. Keep the police report, photos, logs, bills of lading and all medical records. Save your electronic logs and any dash camera footage if you can, or ask the carrier to preserve them.
Getting medical care
A licensed clinician decides what care is appropriate. Follow-up may involve spine care, orthopedics and physical therapy. Crash forces in a large truck can cause neck, back and shoulder injuries as well as broken bones. Mention every area that hurts, plus any headaches or dizziness.
Tell every provider you were driving for work. If you are hurt far from home, ask the adjuster how follow-up care near home is handled. Some states have rules about which provider you see. If you were taken to a hospital far from home, keep every discharge paper and bill, since these may be needed later.
Ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Home delivery is helpful if you are recovering far from where the crash happened. Ask whether any medication you are prescribed affects your ability to drive commercially.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- Another driver, shipper or maintenance company may have caused the crash.
- You are classified as an independent contractor or owner-operator and told you are not covered.
- You have a spine injury, fractures or other serious injuries.
- You cannot return to driving and are concerned about your medical certification.
- Multiple insurers want statements.
- Your claim is denied or delayed.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Follow your care plan. Driving a truck requires being medically fit; ask your clinician about when you can drive again. Ask your clinician directly about the physical demands of your job, like climbing into the cab, tarping or chaining loads, and long hours sitting.
Ask about restrictions and share them with your carrier. Some carriers have non-driving work. Some carriers have dispatch, yard or safety office work for drivers who are recovering.
Stay in touch with your adjuster and keep records organized. It is also common to feel anxious behind the wheel after a serious crash. Tell your clinician; support is available.
Questions to ask
- Has my injury been reported separately from the crash report?
- Am I covered as an employee, or am I considered a contractor?
- How is follow-up care handled if I live in another state?
- Doctor, when can I safely drive again?
- Is there non-driving work available while I recover?
- Can my prescriptions for this injury be billed to the claim and sent to my home?
- Attorney, could the other driver or shipper be responsible?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do after a truck accident on the job?
Call 911, get medical care and notify your dispatcher or carrier. Report your injuries in writing, separately from the crash report. Keep the police report number and photos.
Are truck drivers covered by workers' comp after a crash?
Many are, but it depends on your state and whether you are an employee or a contractor. Ask your carrier and your state's workers' compensation agency.
What if I am an owner-operator?
Coverage can be different for owner-operators. The label is not always the final answer. Many people talk with an attorney.
Can I file a claim against the other driver after a truck accident?
In some situations, yes, there may be a claim against an at-fault driver in addition to workers' comp. How the two interact depends on your state. Many people talk with an attorney about this.
What if my truck accident happened in another state?
Which state's rules apply can be complex for drivers who cross state lines. It may depend on where you were hired, where you are based and where the crash happened. Ask your state's agency or an attorney.
When can I drive a truck again after a crash?
Your clinician decides when it is medically safe for you to drive. Commercial driving often has its own medical standards, so ask about those too. Follow their guidance before returning.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).