What Should I Do If I am Injured in a Commercial Truck Accident in Florida?
Accidents involving commercial trucks are extremely dangerous. A typical commercial truck that is fully loaded with cargo can weigh up to about 80,000 pounds, while a typical car only weighs about 4,000 pounds. If you are involved in an accident with a commercial truck, it can be a very traumatic experience, especially if you are unsure about what steps you should take. This article will provide some important steps you should take right away if you are ever involved in a truck accident.
- Call 911
Immediately after an accident, you should check yourself and any passengers for injuries and then call 911. If anyone is harmed, even slightly, make sure that you also ask for an ambulance. Try to provide the operator with as much information as possible about your specific location and any injuries suspected, especially if these injuries appear to be life-threatening.
2. Exchange insurance information
After an accident, one of the most important things to do is exchange insurance information with the truck driver. You should attempt to get the following information from the truck driver: his full name and contact information; the name of his insurance company and his policy number; his driver’s license number; and the make, color, and model of the truck.
3. Document the accident
You will need to make sure that you document any relevant information regarding the accident, which will be helpful for the police and your insurance company. This information could also be helpful in the event that you decide to bring a lawsuit against the truck driver for your injuries. To properly document the accident, you should do the following:
- Take pictures: If possible, take pictures of both your vehicle and the truck involved in the accident. Be sure to take a picture of the USDOT number displayed on the truck. It may also be helpful to get pictures of the surrounding landscape, including road hazards, traffic signs, etc.
- Record anything you can remember: Write down as many details about what you believe led to the accident. This is important because it may be difficult to recall many of these details later on.
- Write down any information you can get from nearby witnesses: Sometimes an accident can happen so quickly that you don’t even really know what caused it. If you find yourself not remembering the details of the accident, you should attempt to speak to any nearby witnesses who may have been watching the entire incident and can fill you in on specific details. You should either write down this information or request the witness to remain at the scene until the authorities arrive.
4. Contact your insurance company
After an accident, you need to ensure that you contact your insurance company. You should do this as soon as possible. Make sure that you have all of the information and photographs ready to provide to the insurance company to better assist in the processing of your claim.
Were You Recently Injured in a Commercial Truck Accident? Contact our Firm
If you or a loved one were recently injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, the Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyers at Rosen Injury Law, P.A. can help you build a strong personal injury case and obtain compensation for your injuries. Our firm is conveniently located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Please don’t hesitate to call us today at (954)-787-1500 or use our online form to get in contact with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys.
