These are the questions people actually ask after a wreck with a big rig: truck drivers hurt in their own cab, and families hit on the highway. Each one gets its own short, plain answer, with links to the full guides when you need more.
For injured truck drivers
Can a truck driver sue their own trucking company after a crash?If you're a company driver, workers' comp usually blocks a lawsuit against your carrier. But other parties may still owe you. Here's how it works.
Should an injured truck driver file workers' comp or a lawsuit?For many hurt truckers it's both: comp from the carrier plus an injury claim against whoever else caused the crash. How the two fit together.
I'm an owner-operator leased to a carrier. Who pays when I'm hurt?Leased-on owner-operators often aren't covered by the carrier's comp. Your lease, an occupational accident policy and third-party claims decide it.
How do I prove lost wages if I'm paid by the mile or by the load?No hourly rate? Settlement sheets, 1099s, ELD logs and dispatch records can show what you were earning and what the crash cost you.
Will an injury cost me my DOT medical card or my CDL?An injury doesn't cancel your CDL, but it can stop you from passing a DOT physical. What the standards look at and how to protect your career.
Who pays
Who pays my medical bills after a truck accident?Right after a truck crash, your own coverage usually pays first. The at-fault side pays later, if at all. Here's the order bills tend to get paid.
Is the freight broker liable for a truck accident?Brokers don't drive the truck, but they pick the carrier. When that pick was careless, a claim may exist. Here's why the law varies by court.
Can I sue the shipper that loaded the trailer?If a badly loaded or badly secured trailer caused the wreck, the shipper may share the blame. Here's when that claim makes sense and what proves it.
Who pays after a crash with an Amazon, FedEx or UPS delivery truck?The logo on the van isn't always the driver's employer. Who pays after a delivery truck crash depends on contracts, ownership and state law.
Who is liable if a driverless (autonomous) truck hits you?Driverless semis now run some Texas interstates. If one hits you, the carrier, the tech developer and product liability law may all come into play.
What if the trucking company is bankrupt or doesn't have enough insurance?A broke carrier doesn't always mean a dead claim. Federal minimum insurance, other defendants and your own UM/UIM coverage may still pay.
What can I do after a hit-and-run with a semi truck?A semi that clipped you and kept going can often still be found. Report it fast, hunt for the DOT number and video, and check your own UM coverage.
Insurance & settlements
Should I talk to the trucking company's insurance adjuster?The trucking company's adjuster works for the carrier, not you. What to say, what to skip, and how it differs from your own insurer.
Do I have to give a recorded statement after a truck accident?Usually not to the trucking company's insurer. Your own policy may be different. What a recorded statement is and why adjusters want one.
Lump sum or structured settlement: which is better after a truck crash?How a structured settlement works, how it compares to a lump sum, and the tax and Medicare questions to ask before you pick one.
Can you reopen a truck accident settlement after you sign?A signed release is generally final. The narrow exceptions, why new injuries usually don't count, and how to avoid settling too soon.
How the case works
What happens at a deposition in a truck accident case?A deposition is sworn testimony taken before trial. Who asks the questions, who gets deposed in a truck case, and how to get ready.
Can social media hurt my truck accident claim?Yes. Posts can be requested in discovery and used to question your injuries. Why you shouldn't delete them and what to do instead.