What to Do After a Truck Accident in Atlanta – Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve just been hit by a semi-truck on I-285, I-20, or in Midtown, you’re likely overwhelmed—and rightfully so. Crashes involving 18-wheelers are unlike typical fender benders. The injuries are often severe, the trucking company’s legal team moves fast, and what you do in the hours and days that follow could affect your ability to recover compensation. That’s why knowing what to do after a truck accident in Atlanta matters.


Here’s your step-by-step guide to protect yourself physically, legally, and financially.

Call 911 and Get to a Safe Place
The first priority is safety. If you’re able, move out of harm’s way and call 911. Truck crashes can block lanes or spark fires, especially on high-speed corridors like I-75 or the Downtown Connector. Let emergency services handle the scene. EMTs can assist the injured, and police will secure the area and start documenting the crash.


If you’re trained in first aid, you can assist others—otherwise, stay calm and wait for help.


Get Medical Attention Immediately—Even if You Feel “Fine”


After a violent collision with an 18-wheeler, your body may be in shock. Adrenaline can mask pain, and symptoms from spinal injuries or concussions may not appear for hours. Don’t brush it off. Go to Grady Memorial, Emory Midtown, or your nearest ER.


Aside from protecting your health, medical records from right after the crash create a direct link between the accident and your injuries—something insurance companies will later scrutinize.


Make Sure Law Enforcement Files a Report


In Georgia, officers responding to a serious crash are required to file an official report. This document is essential—it records facts, witness names, initial impressions, and may even note citations against the truck driver. Get the officer’s name, badge number, and the report number. Later, this report can be obtained through the Georgia Department of Transportation.


Need help getting the report? Contact our team—we can request it for you.


Gather Evidence at the Scene—If You Can Do So Safely
If you’re physically able, or if someone with you can help, collect:


  • Photos of the crash scene, damage to all vehicles, and skid marks
  • Close-up shots of the truck’s license plate and company name/logo
  • Any visible injuries
  • Weather and road conditions (wet pavement, debris, poor lighting)
  • Contact info for witnesses


This real-time evidence may disappear quickly—especially truck data like electronic logs or dashcam footage. The sooner your attorney gets involved, the better chance of preserving it.


Learn how black box data and driver logs prove fault


Stay Quiet—Especially Around Insurers
It’s natural to want to say “I’m okay” or even “I’m sorry.” Don’t. These statements can be twisted to shift blame. More importantly, do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster or sign anything they send you. Their goal is to limit payouts, not protect you.


Call Your Own Auto Insurance—But Keep It Factual
Your policy likely requires you to notify them promptly after a crash. Make the call, but don’t guess or speculate about who was at fault. Just share the time, place, and general facts. We’ll handle the rest once we’re on your case.


Start Documenting Everything
From your first doctor’s visit to time missed from work, keep detailed notes. Save receipts, appointment summaries, pharmacy costs, and journal your symptoms. These records become the foundation for your legal claim—and for calculating the compensation you’re owed.


Talk to a Truck Accident Lawyer—Immediately
Trucking companies are allowed to destroy certain records after a short time unless they receive legal notice. That includes black box data, driver logs, and inspection reports. Our firm sends what’s called a spoliation letter, requiring them to preserve key evidence. We also start investigating right away—before witness memories fade or scene evidence disappears.


If you’ve suffered serious injuries, like broken bones, brain trauma, or back injuries, getting legal representation quickly can make or break your case.


Our Atlanta truck accident lawyers explain how we fight back

How We Help You Reclaim Control After the Crash

From the moment you call, we take over communication with insurance companies. We connect you with medical specialists. We preserve evidence and start building a case aimed at full compensation—for medical bills, lost wages, pain, and long-term impact. You focus on recovery. We handle the legal battle.


Whether your crash happened in Fulton County, along Buford Highway, or just outside the Perimeter in Cobb, we’re here to support you.


Quick Reference: What to Do After a Truck Accident in Georgia

  1. Call 911 – Get police and EMS to the scene
  2. Seek medical care – Even if you feel fine
  3. Gather evidence – Photos, witness info, truck details
  4. Avoid insurers’ calls – Don’t admit fault or give statements
  5. Call Ugwonali Law Group – Let us protect your rights from Day 1

Need Help After a Truck Crash?

Call Now.

If you’re lying in a hospital bed wondering what to do next—or if your loved one is too injured to act—we’re here 24/7. Our firm helps victims of catastrophic truck accidents across the Atlanta metro area recover compensation and clarity in the middle of chaos. We’ll investigate your case, preserve evidence, and fight to get you what you’re owed. You only get one shot at recovery—don’t go it alone.