Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers | January 28, 2026 | Truck Accident
Being involved in a truck accident is stressful in any situation, but it becomes even more complicated when the crash happens outside your home state. Commercial trucks travel thousands of miles across the country every day, and accidents involving them often lead to serious injuries, complex insurance issues, and questions about which state’s laws apply.
A truck accident lawyer will help you understand what steps to take after an out-of-state truck collision can help protect your safety, your rights, and your ability to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
Prioritize Safety and Call for Help
Your first step after any truck accident is to check for injuries and move to a safe location if possible. Truck crashes often involve severe impact, fuel leaks, or debris, so staying aware of your surroundings is important.
Call 911 immediately. Even if the accident seems minor, a police report is essential for personal injury claims and helps clarify what happened. Emergency responders will evaluate injuries and transport anyone who needs medical care.
Document the Scene
Out-of-state accidents can create challenges later because you may not be familiar with the area, local authorities, or the trucking companies involved. Collecting as much information as possible helps preserve key evidence.
Gather:
- Photos of vehicle damage
- Photos of skid marks, traffic signals, or road conditions
- Names and contact information of witnesses
- The truck driver’s name, employer, and insurance information
- The truck’s USDOT or company identification number
Commercial trucking companies and insurers often respond quickly to protect their interests, which makes early evidence preservation important.
Seek Medical Care Immediately
Truck accidents often cause serious injuries such as fractures, head injuries, spinal injuries, and internal trauma. Even if symptoms seem minor, seek medical care right away. Some injuries, including concussions or soft tissue injuries, may not appear immediately.
Medical records form a critical link between the accident and your injuries. Gaps in treatment or delays in evaluation may create disputes when filing a personal injury claim.
Understand That Multiple Parties May Be Liable
Truck accidents are different from car accidents because several parties may share responsibility. These can include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- A freight or shipping company
- A maintenance contractor
- A manufacturer of defective vehicle parts
Determining fault requires analyzing logs, inspection records, black box data, and compliance with federal trucking regulations. Out-of-state accidents often involve insurance carriers from multiple states, making the investigation more complex.
Know That Each State Has Different Laws
When you are involved in a truck accident out of state, the laws of the state where the crash occurred generally apply. This can include differences in negligence standards, insurance rules, and statutes of limitations.
Maryland, for example, follows strict contributory negligence rules, meaning that an injured person may be barred from recovery if they are found even slightly at fault. Many states use comparative negligence instead, allowing recovery reduced by the percentage of fault.
Truck accident victims should be aware that the location of the crash often determines which rules apply, which can significantly impact the outcome of a personal injury case.
Understanding these differences is important when deciding how to proceed with a claim.
Get a Copy of the Police Report
A police report provides important details such as:
- Driver statements
- Witness interviews
- Roadway diagrams
- Citations issued
- Officers’ observations
Because the accident occurred out of state, you may need to request the report through the local police department, state highway patrol, or an online records system. The report is often a key piece of evidence when establishing negligence and causation.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your own insurance company as soon as possible. Provide basic facts but avoid making assumptions about who caused the crash. Truck accidents often involve large commercial policies, and insurers may attempt to shift blame or dispute the severity of injuries.
Your insurer may also help coordinate repairs, rental vehicles, or communication with out-of-state adjusters.
Keep Records of All Expenses
Truck accident injuries often result in extensive medical treatment, travel costs, and wage loss. Keep track of:
- Medical bills
- Pharmacy receipts
- Physical therapy expenses
- Travel costs for medical appointments
- Lost income documentation
Maintaining organized records helps support the calculation of economic and non-economic damages, especially when dealing with out-of-state medical providers and insurance carriers.
Understand That Commercial Trucks Are Subject to Federal Laws
In addition to state laws, commercial trucks must follow federal regulations governing driver hours, rest requirements, maintenance standards, and cargo weight. Violations of these rules can serve as strong evidence of negligence.
Truck companies must also keep driving logs, inspection reports, and black box data. These records can help determine whether driver fatigue, improper loading, or poor maintenance contributed to the crash.
Pay Attention To Filing Deadlines
States have different deadlines for filing personal injury claims. Maryland, for example, sets a three-year statute of limitations for most personal injury actions. Other states may have longer or shorter deadlines. Missing a deadline may prevent you from recovering damages, so knowing which state’s timeline applies is crucial.
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Protect Yourself After an Out-of-State Truck Accident
Truck accidents that happen outside your home state create unique challenges. By taking the right steps immediately, preserving evidence, seeking prompt medical care, and understanding how state laws differ, injured individuals can better protect their rights and navigate the aftermath of a serious trucking collision.
If you need help after an accident in Lanham, Maryland, contact Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers. We offer a free consultation with an experienced truck accident lawyer.
Contact the Truck Accident Lawyers at Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers in Maryland for Help Today
For more information, please contact Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a confidential consultation with a Truck Accident lawyer. Our team is available to assist clients in Lanham, Frederick, Rockville, Waldorf, Maryland.
We proudly serve Charles County, Prince George County its surrounding areas. Visit our law offices at:
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers Waldorf
8 Post Office Rd Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 932-9997
Available 24/7
Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers Lanham
4600 Forbes Blvd Ste #200 Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 936-0011
Available 24/7