According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 34,045 motor vehicle accidents in 2022 involved heavy trucks that weighed more than 10,000 pounds. If you were injured in a truck accident, it’s essential that you know how to protect your legal rights.
An experienced Jacksonville truck accident lawyer from The Truck Accident Law Firm can explain what to do after a truck or 18-wheeler accident in Florida during your free consultation.
Here are the essential steps to take:
- Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer
The most crucial action you can take after a truck accident is to hire an experienced truck accident lawyer. The Jacksonville, Florida, truck accident attorneys at The Truck Accident Law Firm are board-certified, demonstrating our in-depth knowledge of truck accident cases and personal injury law. We have successfully recovered over $1 billion in financial compensation for our deserving clients.
An experienced Jacksonville personal injury attorney can help with your claim by:
- Investigating the accident and identifying all at-fault parties
- Gathering and preserving evidence before it is lost or destroyed, including black box data from the truck
- Handling communication with insurance companies and other parties on behalf
- Preparing your legal claims and case paperwork
- Compiling information about the full extent of your damages
- Negotiating for maximum compensation on your behalf
- Advising you of your legal options, including accepting a fair settlement or litigating your case
Learn more about how we can help when you call for a free case review at (888) 511-8782.
- Report the Accident
It’s critical that you report the accident to law enforcement immediately so a police officer can respond to the accident scene and prepare an objective report. This report can include essential information, such as:
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- Weather and road conditions
- A diagram of the vehicle’s locations at the time of the collision
- Statements from the truck driver and witnesses
- Information about whether the truck driver was cited for a safety violation
- Opinions about who was at fault for the accident
When law enforcement responds, be cooperative, but just stick to the facts. Avoid casting blame or speculating on how the accident happened. Also, do not admit fault for the accident, as doing so could minimize the recovery you could obtain due to Florida’s modified comparative fault rule. You don’t have all of the information yet, and an experienced personal injury lawyer can investigate to determine the underlying cause of the truck crash.
- Seek Medical Attention
Do not delay in seeking medical treatment after a truck accident. Even if you don’t immediately notice injuries or symptoms of them, adrenaline could be masking them. Additionally, to receive benefits from your PIP insurance policy, you may be required to seek treatment within a certain number of days after the accident, typically 14 days.
- Document the Accident Scene
The accident scene will quickly be cleaned up to avoid injuries to others and to minimize the trucking company’s liability. While waiting for police to arrive at the crash site, take the following steps to preserve valuable evidence:
- Ask the driver for their information, including their name, phone number, address, employer name, employer contact information, insurance information, and U.S. DOT number.
- Ask the driver for information about who is responsible for the load if an unsecured load contributed to the accident.
- Ask witnesses for their names and contact information so your lawyer can follow up with them later for a statement.
- Take pictures of the accident scene. Include close-ups and wide shots of property damage, road conditions, and your injuries.
This evidence can go a long way in preserving evidence that can help establish how the accident happened and who is at fault.
- Keep Documentation of Your Damages
Through a personal injury claim, you may be able to recover compensation for the damages you sustained as a result of the truck wreck. You may be able to recover compensation for:
- Emergency medical treatment, ambulance rides, surgeries, specialist visits, medication, hospital stays and medical devices, and follow-up care
- Ongoing medical expenses, including rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages for income you lost while you were recovering from your injuries or seeking medical treatment
- Reduced earning capacity if your injuries diminished your long-term earning potential
- Costs to repair or replace your vehicle
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
Your receipts, invoices, medical bills, pay stubs, and pain journal entries can help establish these damages.
- Take Timely Legal Action
Florida law limits the time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit after an accident. In most cases, you have only two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you don’t file your legal claim within this time, you can forfeit your right to compensation.
The Truck Accident Law Firm Can Help After an Accident in Jacksonville, Florida
You can learn more about your legal rights and options during a free case review. When you call The Truck Accident Law Firm, we can explain what to do after a truck or 18-wheeler accident in Jacksonville, FL. Contact us for a free consultation with a Jacksonville truck accident lawyer.
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