ClaimFinch

Truck accidents

Hit by a semi or work truck? See if you have a claim.

Truck crashes can involve the driver, the trucking company and more than one insurer, and evidence can disappear fast. Check your claim in about 60 seconds. It's free, with no obligation.

Free claim check · Question 1

What kind of accident were you in?

Truck or commercial vehicleCar accidentUber or LyftMotorcycleHit while walking or cyclingSomething else

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Hurt in a crash with a semi or work truck

The short answer

If a commercial truck hit you, you may have a claim against the driver and also the trucking company or others who share the blame. Trucking companies usually carry commercial insurance and must follow federal safety rules, so these cases often involve more records and more parties than a regular car crash. In Arizona and Georgia, you generally have 2 years to file an injury lawsuit. Truck evidence can disappear quickly, so it helps to talk with an attorney early.

Why truck crashes are different

A loaded semi is far heavier than a car, so injuries can be more serious. The legal side is different too. The driver may work for a carrier, drive under another company's authority, or haul a trailer owned by someone else.

That means there can be more than one insurance policy and more than one company that may share responsibility.

Who may be responsible

  • The truck driver, if they were careless or broke a traffic law.
  • The trucking company, for the driver's actions on the job or for how it hired, trained or scheduled drivers.
  • The company that loaded the cargo, if a shifting or overloaded load played a part.
  • A repair shop or parts maker, if a brake, tire or other failure helped cause the crash.
  • The owner of the trailer, if it's a separate business.

The 3-Point Claim Check

  1. 1

    An injury

    You were hurt, even if it didn't seem serious at first.

  2. 2

    Someone else at fault

    Another driver or company caused the crash.

  3. 3

    Insurance coverage

    There's a policy that may cover what happened.

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Federal rules trucks must follow

Federal rules limit how long truck drivers can drive. A driver carrying freight can usually drive up to 11 hours after 10 hours off duty, and can't drive past 14 hours after coming on duty (49 C.F.R. Part 395).

Many drivers must record their hours on an electronic logging device. Federal rules also cover driver qualification files and vehicle inspection and maintenance (49 C.F.R. Parts 391 and 396). If a company ignored these rules, that can matter in a claim.

Commercial insurance

Trucking companies that carry freight for hire across state lines must keep a minimum level of liability insurance on file with the federal government, and those minimums are higher than for regular drivers (49 C.F.R. Part 387).

The trucking company's insurer may contact you soon after the crash. You usually don't have to give the other side's insurer a recorded statement, and it's fine to get advice first.

Evidence to protect early

  • The company name on the truck and any USDOT number shown on it.
  • Photos of the truck, trailer, load and any skid marks.
  • Names and numbers of witnesses.
  • Your medical records from the start.
  • Ask an attorney about sending a letter that tells the company to keep its logs, inspection records and electronic data.

Deadlines and fault

You generally have 2 years to file in Arizona (A.R.S. § 12-542) and in Georgia (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). If you were partly at fault, Arizona reduces your recovery by your share (A.R.S. § 12-2505), while Georgia only allows recovery if you were less than 50% at fault (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33).

It's free to check your claim, and you don't have to go ahead.

How it works

  1. 1

    Answer a few questions

    Tell us what happened. It takes about a minute.

  2. 2

    A local attorney's office calls you

    If it looks like you might have a claim, we match you with one participating attorney near you, and their office gives you a quick call.

  3. 3

    They explain your options for free

    No upfront attorney's fees, and they're only paid if you recover.

Common questions

What if the truck driver says they're an independent contractor?

That can change who is responsible, but it doesn't always end the question. Contracts, leases and federal operating authority can all come into play. An attorney can look at the paperwork and tell you who may be involved.

Does a delivery box truck count as a commercial truck?

It can. Many work trucks are commercial vehicles, and some must follow federal safety rules, depending on their size and use. If the truck carried a company name, write it down and mention it to an attorney.

Should I talk to the trucking company's insurer?

You can give basic facts like your name and the date of the crash. It's usually wise to hold off on a recorded statement or signing anything until you've had a chance to get advice.

Related guides

Hit by a delivery van or package driverShould you give the other driver's insurer a recorded statement?Before you talk to the adjuster

Last reviewed October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different.

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Answer a few quick questions. If it looks like you may have a claim, a local injury attorney's office will give you a call soon, so keep your phone close. You don't have to go ahead.