Delivery truck clipped me at an intersection — driver claims I cut him off. What now?

Please go get checked out today — don't wait. Upper back and shoulder tightness after an impact is super common and it can take 24-72 hours to really peak. Soft tissue injuries don't always show up on your radar right away because your body is still in a little bit of shock mode. Even if they just do a basic exam and some X-rays, you'll have a medical record showing you sought care promptly. That paper trail matters way more than people realize.

Almost the exact same thing happened to me — commercial van, intersection, driver who had a totally different story than mine. One thing I really wish I'd done sooner was take photos of the tire marks and the position of the vehicles before anything got moved. Did you get any photos at the scene? Also, write down everything you remember about the sequence of events right now while it's fresh. Seriously, do it tonight.

Be really careful about what you say when you call the other company's insurance. They are NOT your friend. Their adjuster's job is to minimize what they pay out, full stop. You don't have to give them a recorded statement right away — and honestly I'd think twice before doing so without some guidance first. Your own insurer is the safer first call.

I processed commercial fleet claims for years. Here's what you need to know: large delivery companies typically have dedicated third-party claims administrators, not just a regular insurance adjuster. Those folks are very experienced and they will be looking for anything that shifts liability to you. The driver's account to his supervisor before police arrived? That's already in a report somewhere.

Document everything on your end just as thoroughly. Photos, your written account, witness info if anyone saw it, and get that medical visit done ASAP so there's no gap between the accident and your symptoms being on record.

Not legal advice, but a couple of things worth knowing: in no-fault states your PIP covers your initial medical bills regardless of who caused the crash, so use it. That doesn't mean you can't pursue a claim against the at-fault driver's employer down the road, especially if your injuries end up being more significant than they seem right now. Commercial carriers have substantial coverage limits but they also have experienced legal teams. Worth at least a free consultation with a PI attorney before you start signing anything. Most won't charge you unless they recover something.

A few practical things: First, file your claim with your own insurer today — most policies require "prompt" reporting and you don't want to give them a reason to push back. Second, ask the police department if there's a formal accident report number even if no citation was issued; you'll need that number for both insurance companies. Third, if the delivery truck had a camera on it (a lot of them do), that footage may only be preserved for a short window before it gets overwritten. An attorney can send a spoliation letter to make sure it doesn't disappear.

Honestly just reading this stressed me out for you. Please take care of yourself first — go to urgent care, rest, don't try to tough it out. The insurance stuff can be figured out but you need to know you're physically okay. Sending good thoughts your way 💙

Three things, in order: 1) Urgent care today, not tomorrow. 2) Write down your full account of the accident and don't post it publicly anywhere. 3) Don't accept any quick settlement offer from the commercial carrier until you actually know the extent of your injuries. Quick offers this early almost always mean they know they're on the hook and they want to close it out cheap before you figure that out.

I don't want to be harsh, but I'm curious — were there any witnesses at the intersection? Because without a citation, dashcam footage from your side, or a witness, it really is going to come down to competing accounts. What does your car's damage pattern look like? Sometimes the location and angle of damage can actually support one version of events over the other. A body shop estimator or an accident reconstructionist can sometimes speak to that.