I Was Hit by a Large Commercial Truck, What Are My Options?
No one can prepare for what happens during a truck accident. You don’t have many options in those split seconds that your accident occurs, but you have plenty after the fact.
Contact a Florida truck accident attorney to pursue legal action after a truck accident. Recovery is a difficult process, but seeking compensation doesn’t have to be. Here are options in the event you experience an injury accident involving a big rig.
Steps To Take After a Commercial Truck Accident
Before discussing your options for compensation, you should know what to do immediately following the accident. These steps will help you as you pursue damages for your losses later.
Call the Police
According to the state of Florida, any accident involving a commercial vehicle requires a crash report. You or the truck driver should call the police immediately. This will also help your case later on, as the police report can act as evidence.
Seek Medical Treatment
Truck accidents often end in severe injuries. Seek medical attention as soon as you can. These records will also serve as proof of your injuries after the accident.
Collect Evidence
If you are able to, take photos of the accident scene and exchange contact information with the truck driver. If your injuries are too severe, have someone else do this for you. This evidence will be instrumental to your case. Collect the driver’s:
- Name
- Contact information
- Truck’s Department of Transportation (DOT) number
The DOT number will give your lawyer access to the truck’s event data recorder (EDR) if it has one. The EDR tracks the driver’s number of hours on the road, speed, and seatbelt usage.
Contact an Attorney
Before you speak to an insurance adjuster, truck company representative, or anyone else, contact an attorney. A Florida truck accident attorney will help you navigate this difficult process as you recover. They can evaluate your case, advocate for you, and advise you regarding next steps.
Your Options After Being Hit by a Commercial Truck
When you’re hit by a commercial truck, you have several options. After the initial steps following your accident, you can collect compensation in two ways.
Accept the Truck Company’s Settlement Offer
If the truck driver was at fault for the accident, an insurance adjuster may call you with a settlement offer. While you can accept this amount immediately, you might not want to. Insurance adjusters will offer you the least amount of money they can. Additionally, since they make the offer so early, you may not know the extent of your injuries yet.
A truck accident attorney can help you negotiate with the insurance company. However, if you remain dissatisfied with the offer, there are other avenues to take.
Pursue a Personal Injury Claim
You may be able to seek more compensation through a personal injury claim with the help of a Florida truck accident attorney. Through this option, you can seek non-economic and economic damages. Economic damages cover your tangible losses, like property damage or medical treatment.
On the other hand, non-economic damages account for your non-tangible, but still devastating, losses. This includes emotional distress, pain and suffering, and, if you lost a loved one in the accident, wrongful death.
Were You Hit by a Large Commercial Truck? Contact Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys in Florida
If you or someone you love suffered injuries from a commercial truck accident, contact a Florida truck accident attorney. The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A. will help you discuss all of your options and decide what is the right decision for you. Contact us today at 239-500-5000.
