After the Crash: What Trucking Companies Should Not Do in the First 24 Hours
When a serious crash occurs, trucking companies often focus (understandably) on safety, operations, and getting equipment back on the road. But from a defense perspective, the first 24 hours after an accident are critical, and missteps during that window can significantly increase litigation exposure.
One common mistake is informal internal communication. Emails, texts, and off-the-cuff statements often resurface in discovery, stripped of context and framed as admissions. Assume every written communication may one day be read by a jury.
Another risk is incomplete or inconsistent documentation. Driver statements, logs, and incident reports should be accurate and timely but not speculative. Guessing about speed, causation, or fault creates problems later, especially when expert analysis tells a different story.
Finally, companies sometimes delay involving counsel, assuming insurance will “handle it.” Early legal involvement allows counsel to coordinate evidence preservation, manage communications, and ensure regulatory obligations are met without creating unnecessary exposure.
Good defense starts early. The steps taken (or avoided) on day one often determine how defensible the case will be two years later.
If you have questions about post-accident response, evidence preservation, or litigation exposure, experienced counsel can help assess risk before it compounds.
Written by Andrew Wilkinson, Partner.
