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Missouri Truck Accident Checklist

What to do after a semi-truck crash — steps 1 through 5

⚠️ Critical: Evidence Disappears Fast

Trucking companies deploy investigators immediately. ELD data overwrites in 30 days. Dashcam footage loops in 24–72 hours. Your first priority: preserve evidence and call an attorney before that window closes.

Evidence Type	Disappears In	What It Proves
Dashcam footage	24–72 hours	Exactly what happened at the moment of impact
ELD / hours-of-service logs	30 days	Driver fatigue, hours-of-service violations
Black box (ECM) data	Next significant event	Speed, braking, throttle before crash
Skid marks & road debris	Days–weeks	Pre-impact speed, evasive action, point of impact
Surveillance camera footage	24–72 hours	Third-party, unbiased view of the crash

Phase 1 — At the Scene (First Minutes) If physically able

Call 911 immediately Critical

Police report documents official facts. Always required.

Move to safety — do not leave the scene

Photograph everything before vehicles move Critical

Truck position, vehicle damage, skid marks, road signs, license plates, DOT number on truck door.

Get DOT number and trucking company name Critical

DOT # is on truck door in large text. Photograph it clearly.

Collect witness names and phone numbers

Note driver's condition (fatigue, phone, impairment)

Do NOT apologize or discuss fault

Exchange only: name, license, insurance. Nothing else.

Phase 2 — Medical Attention (Same Day)

See a doctor today — ER or urgent care Critical

Adrenaline masks pain. Delayed care = insurance argument your injuries aren't real.

Tell every provider the crash involved a semi-truck

Document all symptoms — even minor ones

Headaches, stiffness, trouble sleeping, concentration problems.

Attend all follow-up appointments

Start a daily pain journal

Date, pain level 1–10, what you can't do, sleep impact.

Phase 3 — Evidence & Insurance (First 24 Hours)

Notify your own insurance — facts only, no recorded statement

Refuse recorded statement to trucking company's insurer Critical

Say: "My attorney will be in touch." You have no legal obligation to give one.

Back up all photos and video to cloud storage

Keep damaged clothing — do not wash it

Tears, bloodstains, and glass show force of impact.

Do not repair your vehicle yet

An attorney or reconstructionist needs to inspect it first.

Note nearby surveillance cameras at the crash site

Traffic cameras, business cameras, other dashcams. Tell your attorney immediately.

Set social media to private — post nothing about the crash

Phase 4 — Legal Action (Days 1–3)

Contact a truck accident attorney Critical

We send a preservation letter demanding ELD data, dashcam footage, driver records, maintenance logs. This is the single most time-sensitive step.

Do not accept any early settlement offer Critical

Signing a release ends your claim permanently. Never sign without an attorney.

Request your police report

Available within 7–10 days from the responding agency.

Track all expenses from day one

Medical bills, prescriptions, transportation, lost wages. Keep all receipts.

Phase 5 — During Recovery (Ongoing)

Attend every medical appointment

Treatment gaps are the #1 argument insurers use to cut pain-and-suffering damages.

Update your pain journal regularly

Tell your attorney about every new symptom

TBI, PTSD, anxiety, and chronic pain often emerge weeks after the crash.

Discuss the case only with your attorney

Missouri SOL: 5 years (RSMo 516.120) — but act now

Long deadline ≠ unlimited time. Evidence degrades, witnesses forget.

Case Notes

What NOT to Say

✗ "I'm sorry"
✗ "I didn't see you"
✗ "I was distracted"
✗ Anything about your speed
✗ Medical guesses ("I'm fine")
✗ Estimating damages

Information to Collect

✓ DOT number (truck door)
✓ Trailer number
✓ Driver's CDL number
✓ Trucking company name
✓ Carrier's insurance info
✓ Cargo description