A truck wheel just slammed into your car. Your hands are shaking, your heart’s racing, and you’re probably wondering what in the world just happened. Take a breath. You’re going to get through this, but what you do in the next few hours really matters.
Check Yourself First
Before you do anything else after a truck wheel detachment, honestly assess how you’re feeling. Adrenaline is a powerful thing – it can mask pain and make you think you’re fine when you’re not. Move your arms and legs slowly. Any sharp pains? Trouble seeing clearly? Chest tightness?
If your car’s blocking traffic and seems drivable, carefully get to the shoulder. If there’s any doubt about safety, stay put with your hazards on. Don’t risk making things worse by trying to be a hero.
Get the Right People There
Call 911 right now. This isn’t a minor fender bender – truck wheel detachments are serious accidents that need police reports. Tell the dispatcher you need both police and medical response. Even if you feel okay, let the paramedics check you out. Internal injuries and concussions don’t always announce themselves immediately.
Turn Into a Crime Scene Investigator
If you can move around safely, start taking pictures of everything. Take photos of your car from multiple angles, focusing on damage. The detached wheel, if it’s visible. Skid marks, debris, the whole scene.
Write down what happened while it’s fresh. How fast were you going? What did you see right before impact? Where exactly did the wheel hit your car? These details will fade, but they’re gold for insurance claims and potential lawsuits.
Get contact info from any witnesses. Other drivers who saw what happened can back up your version of events if anyone tries to dispute it later.
Handle the Official Stuff Smart
When cops arrive, stick to the facts about what you experienced. You saw a wheel come off a truck and hit your car. Period. Don’t guess about why it happened or whether the driver was speeding.
Your insurance company needs to know what happened, but don’t jump at any quick settlement offers. These cases can involve big money and multiple responsible parties.
This Is Bigger Than You Think
Truck wheel detachments involve federal regulations, commercial insurance, and potentially several liable parties. The trucking company, its maintenance crew, or even the wheel manufacturer could be on the hook.
Think about talking to a personal injury lawyer who handles trucking cases. Many offer free consultations. Don’t talk to the trucking company’s insurance people without legal backup – they’re not your friends.
Keep records of everything: doctor visits, missed work, car rentals, and how the accident messed with your life. All of it matters.
Take Care of the Whole You
Your body might hurt now or in a few days. Follow through with medical treatment even when you start feeling better. Don’t skip appointments.
It’s totally normal to feel weird about driving after this. If you’re having trouble sleeping or keep thinking about the accident, talk to someone. These reactions are common and fixable.
You’re Still Here
You survived getting hit by a truck wheel – something that could have killed you. That truck wheel didn’t detach because you did something wrong. Someone didn’t maintain their vehicle properly, or something was defective.
You deserve to be compensated for what you’ve been through. The steps you take right now set you up to get the help and money you need to truly recover. Focus on getting better, but don’t let anyone shortchange you on making this right.