5 Mistakes to Avoid After a Truck Accident in Georgia

Protect Your Rights. Get the Help you Deserve from The Rodd Firm.

Truck accidents are some of the most serious and stressful crashes on the road. If you were hit by a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, or other commercial vehicle in Georgia, you may be dealing with severe injuries, high medical bills, and a long recovery process.

At The Rodd Firm, we understand how overwhelming life can feel after a truck crash. We’ve helped people across Albany and South Georgia recover from trucking accidents caused by careless drivers, unsafe trucks, etc. We know how the system works – and we know how to fight back.

The first step in protecting your health and your case is knowing what not to do. Making the wrong move after a crash can cost you time, money, and justice.

Let’s walk through the 5 biggest mistakes to avoid after a truck accident – and how The Rodd Firm can help you avoid them.

1. Not calling the Police After the Crash

In the chaos after a truck accident, you may think calling the police isn’t necessary (especially if the truck driver is apologetic or wants to handle it privately). But skipping the police report is a big mistake.

Why it Matters:

The police report is an official, time-stamped record of the crash.
It includes important facts like the location, damage, and statements from both drivers and witnesses.
It helps determine fault and can be used as key evidence in your case.

How This Helps Your Case:

At The Rodd Firm, we use your police report to:

Start our investigation into the crash
Track down witnesses
Prove the truck driver’s fault

If you’ve been in a trucking accident in Albany, Georgia or anywhere in South Georgia, give us a call as soon as possible so we can start working on your case 229-421-7777.

2. Admitting Fault or Saying Too Much at the Scene

After an accident, many people say things like “I’m sorry” or try to explain what happened – even if it wasn’t their fault. But when it comes to a truck accident, what you say can be used against you by the trucking company and their lawyers.

Truck companies have powerful insurance teams that are trained to look for anything they can use to shift the blame. Even simple or polite statements may be twisted to weaken your claim.

Examples of what you should NOT say:

“I didn’t see the truck”
“Maybe I was going too fast”
“It’s my fault”

Keep in mind: you may be in shock, and some injuries (like internal damage or brain injuries) may not show symptoms until later.

What you should do:

Only discuss the facts with police
Exchange contact and insurance information
Take photos and videos if you’re able
Let our firm handle all communication with the other driver, insurance adjusters, and trucking companies.

3. Delaying Medical Treatment

Even if you feel “fine” after a crash, you should always see a doctor right away. Truck accidents often involve serious impacts, and injuries may take hours or even days to appear.

Hidden or Delayed Injuries Include:

Traumatic brain injuries
Whiplash
Internal bleeding
Spine or disc injuries
PTSD or emotional trauma

If you wait too long to get medical care, the trucking company’s insurance team might argue that your injuries happened after the crash, you weren’t really hurt, etc.

How Medical Records Help Your Case:

Medical records provide clear evidence of what your injuries are, when they happened, and what treatments you’ve needed. We recommend visiting the ER, urgent care, or your primary doctor within 24-48 hours of the crash. Be honest about how you feel and follow up with all recommended care.

4. Talking to the Trucking Company or Insurance Adjusters Without a Lawyer

This is one of the most damaging mistakes we see truck accident victims make. After a crash, the trucking company or it’s insurance provider will likely call you quickly. They may ask for your medical records, a signed release, details about your injuries, etc. They might even offer you a quick cash settlement before you know how badly you’re hurt.

Why You Shouldn’t Talk to Them:

You are not required to give them a statement
They may twist your words to blame you
They’ll try to get you to settle for far less than your case is worth

5. Waiting Too Long to Call a Truck Accident Lawyer

Many people wait to call a lawyer because they think:

“I can’t afford a lawyer”
“I can handle this myself”
“I’ll wait and see if I feel better”

Waiting too long to talk to a lawyer is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. A lot of people assume hiring a lawyer will cost extra money, that they just can’t afford to spend after an accident. At The Rodd Firm, we use a contingency fee structure. This means you don’t need to worry about upfront costs or surprise fees. If we don’t recover for you, you owe us nothing. Call us if you’ve been in an accident – the sooner we start your case, the better: 229-421-7777.

Why Truck Accidents Are So Serious

Trucks are massive, often weighing 20-30 times more than a passenger car. When they crash, the results can be devastating.

Common causes of truck accidents include:

Driver fatigue
Distracted driving
Overloaded trailers
Poor truck maintenance
Speeding through construction or school zones

Why Choose The Rodd Firm After a Truck Accident?

We’re not a big-city billboard firm. We live and work right here in South Georgia. Our offices are based in Thomasville, Valdosta, and Albany, and we take pride in helping our neighbors when they need us most.

When you hire The Rodd Firm, you’re getting:

A team that knows Georgia roads AND Georgia law
One-on-one attention from our team
Free consultations – no obligation
No fees unless we win
Deep experience with insurance companies
A firm that treats you like family

We’ve built our reputation on trust, results, and compassion – and we’ll be here for you every step of the way.

Final Thoughts: What you do Next Matters

Truck accidents are overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. By avoiding these 5 common mistakes, you’ll give yourself the best chance at a full recovery and a strong case.

The 5 Mistakes to Avoid:

Not calling the police
Admitting fault or saying too much
Waiting to get medical care
Talking to the trucking company or their insurance
Waiting too long to contact a lawyer

Call The Rodd Firm Today for a FREE Consultation

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident in South Georgia, The Rodd Firm is ready to help. We’ll listen to your story, explain your legal options, and fight to get you the money you need to move foward. 229-421-7777