What to Do in the First 24 Hours After a Semi-Truck Accident in Arizona

Hour 1: At the Scene

Arizona's scorching sun can fade skid marks within hours. The trucking company's accident response team is already on its way. Document everything immediately: photos, video, witness names. The driver's logbook, the truck's black box, the cargo manifest — this evidence disappears or gets "lost."

Hour 2-4: Medical Treatment is Non-Negotiable

Go directly to Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, University of Arizona Medical Center in Tucson, or the nearest Level I trauma center. Semi-truck accidents cause injuries that don't show symptoms immediately — TBI, internal bleeding, spinal fractures. A gap in treatment gives insurers ammunition to deny your claim.

The Black Box: Your Secret Weapon

Federal law requires commercial trucks to maintain an Electronic Control Module (ECM) that records speed, braking patterns, and driver behavior in the moments before impact. Arizona law requires preservation of this evidence — but only if the proper legal notice is filed immediately. Our attorneys send this notice within hours of taking your case.