What to Do If the Trucking Company Contacts You Directly After a Crash

Being in a trucking accident in Buffalo is stressful enough without receiving calls or letters from the trucking company afterward. While their representatives may seem polite or helpful, it’s important to understand that their goal is often to protect the company’s financial interests, not yours. How you respond in the first days and weeks after their contact can make a significant difference in your recovery and your legal claim.

Steps to Take When the Trucking Company Contacts You

Before responding to the trucking company after a crash, it’s essential to have a clear plan. Taking immediate, careful actions can protect your legal rights, preserve evidence, and ensure that any communication does not negatively affect your claim.

Acting hastily or providing information without guidance can unintentionally weaken your case or reduce the compensation you may be entitled to. The following steps outline practical actions you can take to handle the situation safely and effectively.

1. Pause Before Responding

It can be tempting to answer questions immediately or agree to a quick settlement. In reality, any statement you make can be used later to challenge your claim. Even saying “I’m fine” or “I don’t think it was serious” could be interpreted as minimizing your injuries. Take a deep breath, and do not respond without consulting a qualified truck accident lawyer.

Trucking companies often have experienced claims adjusters trained to gather statements in ways that may reduce their liability. They might ask seemingly harmless questions, downplay injuries, or try to settle quickly for less than what you deserve.

2. Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer Immediately

In Buffalo, trucking accidents can involve commercial carriers with large insurance policies and experienced adjusters. A local truck accident attorney can:

• Serve as the main point of contact with the trucking company
• Advise on what information can safely be shared
• Ensure all injuries, property damage, and lost wages are documented properly
• Protect you from tactics designed to minimize payouts

Engaging a Buffalo truck accident lawyer from Hiller Comerford early allows you to focus on recovery while knowing your legal rights are fully safeguarded. Remember that in New York, there are strict time limits, known as statutes of limitations, for filing personal injury claims after a truck accident. You have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for injuries caused by negligence. Missing these deadlines can prevent you from pursuing compensation, even if the accident was clearly not your fault.

3. Document Every Interaction

Buffalo is a city with busy streets and many trucking routes, so accidents often involve multiple witnesses and complicated liability. Keep a detailed record of every contact from the trucking company, including:

• The name and title of the person reaching out
• The date and time of the conversation
• Notes on what was said or requested
• Any emails or letters received

In addition to documenting communications, make note of any witnesses to the accident and gather any available evidence, such as dashcam footage or surveillance videos. A qualified truck accident lawyer can help you identify the most relevant evidence and formally preserve it. This evidence can also attest whether driver safety standards were met, which can be crucial in proving negligence or liability in your case.

4. Don’t Sign or Commit to Anything

Trucking companies may send forms or offer small settlements quickly. Even if the offer seems fair, accepting it too soon can prevent you from being fully compensated for medical bills, lost wages, or long-term effects. In some cases, insurers use these early offers to calculate the minimum amount they believe they can pay.

5. Keep Track of Your Health and Recovery

The trucking company might try to frame your claim around “minor” injuries. To counter this, maintain a daily log of your recovery, including pain levels, medical visits, therapy sessions, and any limitations in daily life. This documentation can be critical in proving the full impact of the accident.

6. Understand Your Legal Protections

Even if the trucking company contacts you directly, you have rights under New York law:

• You can refuse to provide recorded statements until you have a lawyer present
• You are entitled to full compensation for all accident-related damages
• You are protected under New York’s comparative negligence rules, meaning your claim is not automatically denied if you share some fault

By knowing your rights and taking careful steps, you reduce the risk of unfairly low settlements or legal complications.

Protect Your Rights and Recovery

Being contacted directly by a trucking company after a crash can feel intimidating, but approaching it strategically is essential. Pause before responding, document every interaction, avoid signing or committing to anything, and contact a truck accident lawyer in Buffalo, NY, as soon as possible. By handling the situation carefully, you protect your health, your recovery, and your right to fair compensation.