Hit by a Delivery Van or Company Vehicle in Texas? Your First Steps
Updated: 15 hours ago
Delivery vans, box trucks, utility trucks, work pickups: Texas roads are full of vehicles driven for a job. When one of them hits you, the crash can feel bigger than a normal wreck. The driver may be working for a company, a contractor, or a delivery service, and there may be more than one insurance policy involved. Here's what to do, step by step.
At the scene
Get safe and call 911 if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked.
Photograph the vehicle from every side. Company name, logos, truck or unit numbers, DOT numbers on the door and the license plate can all help identify who the vehicle belongs to.
Get the driver's information: name, phone number, driver's license, and the insurance card. Ask who they drive for.
Get the officer's name and report number, if police respond.
Talk to witnesses. A name and phone number is enough.
Write down the time and place, and anything the driver said about their route or deliveries.
You don't need to argue about who caused the crash. Stay calm and stick to collecting information.
In the next 24 to 72 hours
See a doctor or urgent care, even if you feel okay. Some injuries show up later, and a medical record made soon after the crash matters.
Report the crash to your insurance company. Give the facts you know; don't guess.
Start an accident folder: photos, medical papers, receipts, towing and rental bills, missed-work notes.
Request your crash report from TxDOT once it's available. Our Texas crash report (CR-3) guide shows how.
Keep a call log: every insurance call, with the date, the person's name and what they said.
Why company-vehicle crashes are different
When a driver is working, the company's commercial insurance may be involved, along with the driver's own policy and yours. Some delivery drivers are employees; others are independent contractors driving their own vans. Who is responsible, and which policy applies, depends on the facts. That's a question for an attorney, not something to figure out on a phone call with an adjuster.
A few general cautions:
Be careful with recorded statements to the other side's insurance company. You can ask for time to get advice first.
Don't sign releases or accept a quick check before you understand your injuries and your options.
Don't post about the crash on social media.
Mind the deadline. Texas generally sets a two-year deadline for many personal injury lawsuits (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003), with some exceptions. A lawyer can tell you what applies.
Questions people ask after a company vehicle accident
Who is responsible when a delivery van or company vehicle hits me?
It depends on the facts. The driver, the company they work for, a contractor, and more than one insurance company may be involved. An attorney can explain who may be responsible in your accident.
How do I find out who owns the vehicle?
Photos help: company name, logos, unit or DOT numbers and the license plate. The police crash report usually lists the vehicle and insurance information too.
Is a work-vehicle accident handled differently from a normal car accident?
Often, yes, because commercial insurance may be involved along with the driver's own policy. That's why it helps to get answers before you sign anything or give a recorded statement.
What if the insurance company is already calling me?
You can stick to the basics and ask to talk later. Our guide to what to say when the insurance company keeps calling walks you through it.
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Get free help understanding your options
At Accident Advocate Network, we talk with you first, for free. We help you understand general next steps, get organized, and, if you want a lawyer, we share independent Texas personal injury attorneys you can choose from for a free case evaluation. No pressure, and you decide.
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Accident Advocate Network is not a law firm and does not provide legal or medical advice. This article is general information only and may not apply to your situation. Talk to a licensed Texas attorney about your specific case.
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