Many people do not know what to do after a truck accident, but you can take key steps to protect yourself, such as:
- Visiting a doctor or hospital for medical attention
- Holding on to any potential evidence from the accident
- Collecting contact information from others present at the accident scene
- Filing a truck accident report
In addition, you may want to hire a truck accident attorney to advocate for you throughout the claims process. Your legal team can build a compelling case for your financial recovery while you work on your physical recovery.
Seek Medical Attention for Your Truck Accident Injuries
Safety is your top priority. You may need to contact emergency medical services right away if you or another party involved in the accident suffered an injury. Otherwise, you can visit your physician in the days following the collision to create a record of your injuries and receive treatment.
Per Florida Statutes § 627.736, you need to seek medical care within 14 days to activate your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage in Florida. Taking this step also creates supporting evidence for your case – your medical records should indicate injury type and severity, connect the injury to the collision, and outline your prognosis and treatment.
Report the Truck Accident to Authorities
You should also get in touch with local law enforcement services to properly report and document the truck accident. Per Florida Statutes § 316.066, this step is mandatory for accidents involving commercial vehicles, especially when injuries, fatalities, or serious damage occurs.
In some cases, law enforcement will come to the scene and record what they find in the accident report before filing it. If this doesn’t happen, you have 10 days to initiate the report yourself. An accident report can provide vital support for your financial recovery.
Preserve Any Evidence Related to the Truck Collision
From here, you should work to collect and preserve any relevant details related to the truck accident. Photos of the accident scene and any vehicle damage may serve as valuable pieces of evidence in the later stages of your case. Taking videos may also help to further establish critical details at the scene of the accident.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), maintaining a safe following distance is one of the keys to responsible driving. When other drivers fail to maintain a safe distance, they generate problems for themselves and other vehicles. This is particularly true when large vehicles, such as trucks, enter the picture.
Capturing evidence at the scene of the accident may help to establish the presence of certain driver errors, such as a failure to maintain a safe following distance.
Obtain Contact Information from Other Drivers and Witnesses
Once you have collected evidence, you should exchange information with other parties related to the incident. You will need this to:
- Identify others involved in the collision
- Contact witnesses for their testimony
- File a case against the correct parties
Sometimes, law enforcement notes this information in the accident report. Still, it may be worth collecting this information yourself if possible. That way, you have it on hand when your lawyer requests it.
Consider Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer to File Your Claim or Lawsuit
Hiring a lawyer after taking these steps will help you in key ways. For example, a lawyer will take care of necessary correspondence with other drivers, insurance agents, law enforcement, and other parties connected to the incident.
Your lawyer will also go after forms of financial compensation that you may be owed. If another party caused your injuries, you might be able to collect compensation to pay for your past and future medical bills.
However, negotiating for these potential forms of compensation is often challenging for accident victims. A lawyer will step in to handle the negotiations process on your behalf as they communicate with other drivers, insurance companies, and law enforcement officers.
Other Perks of Hiring a Truck Accident Attorney
When you hire our personal injury law firm, our team will help you navigate the entire truck accident claims process. For example, we will:
- Investigate the accident to determine the cause and the responsible parties
- Identify and estimate the value of your damages
- Interview witnesses
- Request evidence from the trucking company
- Prepare a compelling case for financial recovery
- Explain the laws that apply to your case, including the statute of limitations
- Advocate for you in and out of the courtroom
All these services are available on a contingency fee basis, and we provide a complimentary initial case review. We want to ensure there are no financial barriers to you seeking legal representation—you deserve to have someone fighting in your corner.
Don’t wait to Start Seeking Truck Accident Damages in Florida
As the statute of limitations in Florida Statutes § 95.11 (3)(a) shows, those who sustain an injury in Florida have a four-year period in which they may take legal action. Acting outside of this statute of limitations usually leaves victims with few options for justice.
When you are involved in a truck accident, taking prompt action could make a difference in the outcome of your case. Giving a lawyer ample notice enables them to begin collecting evidence, investigating the truck accident, and compiling a case that represents your legal position.
Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Today
If you are confused about what to do after a truck accident, a lawyer could help you. The team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help you collect evidence, identify a liable party, and pursue financial compensation that you may be eligible to collect.
For more information, call our office today at (800) 747-3733. We go the extra mile and offer responsive legal care.
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