Something happened. Report it — then read this.
Report first, document second. The sooner the carrier opens the file, the faster the adjuster moves.
- Direct claims line
- Bilingual claims support
- Followed to closure
At the scene
What to do after an accident
Safety first, documentation second, and the claim call as soon as the scene is stable. Never admit fault or discuss liability with the other party.
- 01
Secure the scene
Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Set out triangles or flares, turn on hazards, and move to a safe position off the travel lane if the vehicle is drivable.
- 02
Call the police, then call us
Get a police report number — adjusters will ask for it first. Then contact the AJM claims desk so we can open the file with the carrier.
- 03
Document everything
Photograph all vehicles from four angles, the full scene, road and weather conditions, skid marks, and any cargo damage. Collect the other driver insurance card, license, and plate.
- 04
Collect witness information
Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw what happened. Witness statements settle disputed liability more often than anything else in the file.
- 05
Do not admit fault
Give the police the facts. Do not discuss liability, do not sign anything from another party insurer, and route all adjuster calls through your AJM claims contact.
- 06
Stay in touch
Your AJM claims advocate follows the file with the carrier, chases the adjuster when it stalls, and stays on it until the claim closes.
Have ready
What the adjuster will ask for
Gathering these up front removes days from the cycle time.
- 01 Policy number and named insured
- 02 USDOT and MC number
- 03 Police report number and responding agency
- 04 Driver name, CDL number, and contact
- 05 Date, time, and exact location of loss
- 06 Photos of all vehicles and the full scene
- 07 Bill of lading and cargo manifest, for freight losses
- 08 Other party insurance, license, and plate
- 09 Witness names and phone numbers
- 10 Repair estimates, once available
Cargo claims
Freight losses run on a different clock
Cargo claims are governed by the bill of lading and, for interstate freight, the Carmack Amendment. Notice deadlines are short and the burden of proof sits with the carrier, so photograph the damaged freight before it is moved and keep the trailer sealed until the adjuster gives direction.
Reefer loads add a layer: most policies exclude spoilage unless a reefer breakdown endorsement is attached and the unit has a download showing continuous operation. Pull the reefer download immediately — it is the single piece of evidence that decides temperature claims.
After the claim
Review the policy before the next one.
Most denied claims trace back to a missing endorsement, not a missing policy. Let an agent read your current coverage and tell you what is exposed.
(713) 904-4970 · insurance@truckingservice.net