If you were hit by a semi on I-94, I-69, or along M-29 near the river, knowing what to do next can protect your health and your claim. This supporting guide covers the essential truck accident steps St. Clair to follow, tailored for crashes in St. Clair County, Michigan.
Rowling, Partipilo & Winston has been fighting for The Rights of Injury Victims Since 1974. Our team brings Recognized Excellence in Personal Injury Law with Decades of Success and Millions Recovered for injured motorists in Port Huron, Marysville, St. Clair, and throughout the county.
Call (810) 676-9447 for a free consultation or send a message to get guidance on your next steps.
First 10 Minutes: Safety, 911, and Essential Evidence
- Prioritize safety. Turn on hazards, move to a safe shoulder if possible, and keep clear of traffic. Dial 911 and request police and EMS. Truck collisions often involve heavy vehicles, multiple insurers, and complex federal rules, so an official report helps preserve critical facts.
- Stay calm and limit conversation. Exchange only required information. Avoid apologizing or speculating about fault. Do not discuss injuries beyond basic facts with anyone at the scene except medical personnel and law enforcement.
- Document the scene thoroughly. Photograph vehicle positions, skid marks, debris, damage close-ups, road signage, weather, lighting, and any visible injuries. Capture the truck’s side and rear to preserve the DOT number, license plate, and company branding. If safe, record brief video panoramic shots.
- Ask for witness contacts. Neutral witnesses can make the difference when liability is contested. Save names, phone numbers, and brief statements if they are willing.
Information to Collect From the Truck Driver and Carrier
- Driver’s name, home state, phone, and commercial driver’s license number
- Truck and trailer plates, VIN, and the operating USDOT or MC number
- Motor carrier name and address shown on the cab door
- Insurance company and policy number for both tractor and trailer if different
- Bill of lading or load description if available, plus the origin and destination
- Photos of any electronic logging device display if visible and safe to capture
Within 24 Hours: Medical Care and Reporting
Seek medical evaluation even if you feel okay. Adrenaline can mask symptoms of concussion, soft tissue injuries, or internal trauma. Early records connect your injuries to the crash, which insurers scrutinize closely in St. Clair County claims.
Obtain the police report number from the responding agency, such as the St. Clair County Sheriff or local police in Port Huron. Request the final report when available and keep copies of any tickets issued to the truck driver.
Notify your own auto insurer promptly. Michigan policies typically provide personal injury protection benefits that may help with medical bills and wage loss. Provide only basic facts and advise that an attorney will follow up with details.
Preserve Physical and Digital Evidence
- Keep damaged parts, torn clothing, child seats, and receipts for towing and rentals
- Save dashcam footage and smartphone photos to multiple locations
- Write a same-day memory log describing speed, lane position, traffic, and pain
- Do not authorize repairs or disposal of the vehicle until all damage is photographed
Day 2 through Day 7: Insurance Calls and Protecting Your Claim
Expect contact from the trucking company’s insurer or a third-party administrator. Be polite but cautious. Decline recorded statements until you receive legal guidance. Seemingly casual questions can be used to minimize your injuries or shift blame.
Direct medical providers to bill the appropriate insurer under your policy terms when applicable. Track all appointments, prescriptions, and work time missed. Keep a symptom diary noting sleep, mobility, pain levels, and activity limits.
If you receive letters requesting vehicle inspections, medical authorizations, or broad releases, review them with counsel first. Narrowly tailored, time-limited requests are sometimes appropriate; blanket authorizations rarely are.
Spoliation and Time-Sensitive Evidence Unique to Trucking
Commercial carriers maintain logs, electronic control module data, driver qualification files, maintenance records, dispatch notes, and sometimes inward-facing cameras. These can be overwritten quickly. An attorney can issue a spoliation notice to preserve driver hours-of-service data, telematics, and load documentation before it disappears.
How a St. Clair County Truck Accident Case Is Different
Truck crashes are governed by layers of state and federal rules, including hours-of-service and maintenance standards. Responsibility may involve the driver, the motor carrier, a broker, the shipper, or a maintenance contractor. Liability can expand if an unsafe load or negligent hiring played a role.
Because evidence is technical, early investigation matters. Site inspections, event data recorder downloads, and black box imaging can reveal braking, speed, and throttle position. Rapid-response teams deployed by carriers often start within hours. Level the field by having your own legal team act quickly.
Using Your Keywords Naturally While You Read
Searching for help from an 18-wheeler accident attorney in St. Clair County or a semi-truck accident lawyer in St. Clair County often begins with understanding these first steps. Many clients also look for a big rig accident attorney in St. Clair County once they realize a commercial carrier is involved.
Common Mistakes That Hurt Truck Claims
- Delaying care. Insurers quickly argue that gaps in treatment mean you were not hurt
- Posting on social media. Photos or comments can be taken out of context and used to deny or reduce your claim
- Accepting a quick settlement. Early offers rarely reflect future care, wage loss, or pain and suffering, especially with traumatic injuries that evolve over time
- Repairing or scrapping the vehicle too soon. The frame and crush zones may hold key clues to speed and impact direction
- Talking to multiple adjusters. Conflicting statements can be used against you later. Keep communications centralized and documented
When to Involve a Lawyer
Consult as soon as possible if there are serious injuries, a dispute about fault, multiple vehicles, or a commercial carrier. Early counsel can coordinate medical benefits, issue preservation letters, arrange inspections, and communicate with investigators so you can focus on recovery.
Your Step-by-Step Checklist
- Move to safety, call 911, and request police and EMS.
- Photograph the scene, vehicles, injuries, skid marks, and road conditions.
- Collect driver, carrier, DOT, and insurance details for tractor and trailer.
- Seek immediate medical evaluation and follow all recommendations.
- Report to your insurer without giving any recorded statement to others.
- Preserve vehicle damage and personal items; back up all digital files.
- Start a symptom and expense log; keep all receipts.
- Consult counsel to protect evidence and manage insurer communications.
What We Do While You Heal
Rowling, Partipilo & Winston coordinates a rapid investigation, requests the crash report, sends spoliation letters to the carrier, and begins building your claim. Our team gathers witness statements, monitors your medical progress, and prepares a strategy for liability and damages from day one.
Medical, Work, and Family Impacts After a Semi Crash
Truck collisions commonly cause head trauma, whiplash, spinal injuries, fractures, and psychological effects like anxiety and sleep issues. Early referrals to specialists and consistent follow-up are important for recovery and to document the full scope of harm.
Work disruptions ripple into household budgets. Save pay stubs and employer letters documenting missed hours or modified duties. If you are caring for a child or parent, keep notes on how the crash affects your responsibilities at home.
Local Considerations in St. Clair County
Traffic patterns on I-94 and I-69, winter road conditions, and cross-border freight near the river can complicate crash dynamics and jurisdictional questions. Whether your collision happened near Port Huron, Fort Gratiot, Marysville, or St. Clair Township, timely evidence collection avoids disputes later.
Insurance and Compensation Basics
Compensation generally includes medical costs, wage loss, and non-economic damages where the law permits. Additional categories may apply in trucking cases, such as loss of earning capacity or future care needs. If a defective component or negligent maintenance contributed, multiple defendants may share responsibility.
Do not assume the truck driver’s state of residence controls the claim. Insurance requirements and carrier safety rules are designed to apply wherever the truck operates. Coordination across insurers is common in these cases.
Why Settlements Take Time
Serious injury cases require a clear picture of recovery, future care, and any permanent impairments. Liability disputes, multiple insurers, and complex evidence extend the timeline. Your attorney can push for a fair resolution while keeping you updated on milestones and options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if the trucking company’s insurer calls me the day after the crash?
Take the representative’s name and claim number, but do not give a recorded statement until you have legal advice. You can explain that your attorney will follow up.
Do I have to see a doctor if I feel fine after the collision?
Yes. Symptoms of concussion, whiplash, or internal injuries can appear hours or days later. Prompt evaluation protects your health and creates a clear medical record tied to the crash.
How soon should I contact an attorney after a truck accident in St. Clair County?
As early as possible. Time-sensitive evidence like electronic logs, dashcam video, and maintenance records can be lost without immediate preservation steps.
What if the truck was from another state or country?
It does not prevent a claim. Carriers operating in Michigan must follow applicable safety and insurance rules. Jurisdiction can be addressed by your attorney based on where the crash occurred and the parties involved.
Should I allow the trucking insurer to inspect my vehicle right away?
You can schedule an inspection, but do not release the vehicle or authorize repairs until you have photographed all damage and discussed an inspection protocol with your attorney.
What if I was partially at fault?
Fault can be shared. Do not assume you are barred from recovery. Evidence such as speed, braking data, and dashcam footage may clarify what really happened.
How long will my case take to resolve?
Timelines vary based on injuries, treatment, and disputes over liability. Early investigation and organized documentation help shorten the process and improve outcomes.
Get strategic help in St. Clair County to protect your claim
Truck crashes involve fast-moving evidence and powerful insurers. Take action now to document your injuries, preserve proof, and position your case for the best possible result in St. Clair County, Michigan.
Request your free case review today with Rowling, Partipilo & Winston, or call (810) 676-9447 to speak with our truck accident lawyer now.