There is no doubt that a truck accident is traumatic, stressful, and can have catastrophic or life-changing consequences. Often the shock and trauma of an accident can leave us feeling flustered and sometimes causes us to forget about the important steps to take at the scene of a truck accident.
If you are involved in a truck accident that wasn’t your fault, you may also be entitled to compensation. Therefore, it is vital that you take down the relevant information and evidence at the scene of a truck accident to give yourself the best possible chance of receiving the compensation that you are entitled to.
At The Law Place, we have a team of highly skilled personal injury lawyers with over 75 years of combined experience in handling traffic accident cases. An adept personal injury attorney will collate all the relevant information and evidence from the truck accident and will make a successful case for compensation on your behalf.
Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so rest assured you can call us at a time most convenient for you, and an adept lawyer will be happy to help. At our law firm, we offer all our customers a free consultation, where we evaluate your claim and offer valuable legal advice on the next best steps to take, all at no-obligation. Call The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 and speak to a truck accident attorney today.
Best Steps to Take Following a Truck Accident
At The Law Place, we completely understand that it can be hard to think straight and to know what to do following a road collision, which is why we have compiled a step-by-step guide of the best steps to take following a truck accident in Florida.
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Step 1: Be Prepared
Road collisions and truck accidents occur every day on Florida roads and highways. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV) website, there was a staggering 344,170 traffic crashes in Florida in 2014 alone.
If you are involved in an accident, there are a few simple steps that you can follow to prepare yourself.
- Keep a pen and paper in the glove box of your car.
- Always keep your registration and insurance information in your car where you can easily find it. Not only is this useful in the event of a truck accident, but it is also useful if you are ever stopped by a police officer.
- Keep a spare phone charger or portable battery pack in your car in case your phone is low on battery. Your phone is a critical tool in the event of an accident.
- Make sure you have the appropriate insurance coverage.
Step 2: Stop at the Scene of the Accident
If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself involved in a traffic collision, then it is critical that you stop at the scene of the accident. If it is not safe to stop at the scene, then stop in a safe place as close to the scene of the accident as you can.
As noted in Florida Statute 316.061, all drivers are required by law to stop at the scene of an accident, to give information to other drivers, statements to law enforcement, and to render aid if it is necessary to do so. Failure to stop at the scene of an accident is classed as a criminal offense and could result in serious penalties and punishments.
If you crash into an unattended vehicle or cause property damage, then where possible, you should try to find the owner. If you cannot find the owner of the vehicle or property, you should leave a note with your contact information.
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Step 3: Check for Injuries
Once you have safely stopped at the scene of the accident, it is important to check on yourself, as well as the wellbeing of any passengers and those in other vehicles that were involved in the accident. It is important to check on the wellbeing of others as soon as you possibly can, and in the event that anyone is in need of emergency medical care, then it is important to call for help as quickly as possible.
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Step 4: Report the Accident to Law Enforcement
As with any accident, no matter the circumstances, it is important to report a traffic collision to law enforcement. If the accident is only minor, then you can contact Florida Highway Patrol. However, if the collision is serious, then call the police on 911 and provide them with the following information:
- Your full name.
- The location of you and your vehicle.
- If anyone involved in the accident is injured.
At a later date, you can then file an incident report at your nearest police station. This report will also help with a personal injury claim if you choose to pursue one.
Step 5: Gather Information From Anyone Involved in the Accident
At the scene of a truck accident, it is important to collect the following information:
- Vehicle information – This includes the license plate numbers and registration details of all vehicles involved in the accident. With a truck accident, it is important to also note down the trucking company name, as well as the make and model of the truck.
- Driver information – Ask the other drivers for their full name, current address, and contact details.
- Insurance information – Write down the insurance information of the other drivers, including their policy number.
- Witness information – If there are any witnesses to the accident, then ask them for their name and contact information. Witness accounts can be helpful in building a strong claim for compensation.
- Location – Make a note of the location of the accident, the date, time, and direction that each driver was heading.
- Traffic conditions – Make a note of the traffic conditions and any relevant road signs and markings.
- Weather conditions – Make a note of the weather conditions at the time of the accident.
- Damage – No matter how minor, it is important to make a note of any property damage and personal injury.
Ultimately the more information and evidence that you can gather at the scene of an accident, the stronger your claim will be, and the greater your chances of successfully claiming the compensation that you deserve.
Step 6: Photographic Evidence
By taking photographs of a truck accident, you can preserve vital evidence that can be used in your claim for compensation. It is important to ensure you take photos of all cars involved in the accident, the road and scene around the accident, any debris that may be scattered on the road, as well as tire marks and dangerous hazards. Ultimately, taking photographs at the scene of a truck accident can prove vital if you choose to pursue a claim for compensation.
Step 7: Evaluate Your Surroundings
At the scene of an accident, it is always useful to evaluate your surroundings and check for any cameras nearby. Obtaining video evidence can be hugely valuable when making a claim. Additionally, you should also take notice of anything that appears to be out of the ordinary, such as the attitude of other drivers.
Step 8: Contact Your Insurance Company and a Truck Accident Lawyer
After the accident, it is important to inform your insurance company of the incident that has taken place and seek legal advice from an experienced accident attorney.
If you would like to pursue a claim for compensation, then it is important to seek legal advice from a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the incident. A skilled attorney can help to gather necessary evidence and information that will support you with your claim. They will also guide you through the legal process to ensure you receive the best possible outcome.
Contact The Law Place Today
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Florida, then it is strongly advised to seek help from a truck accident attorney as soon as possible after the incident. A knowledgeable accident attorney will be able to guide you through the legal process and will do their best to ensure you win your claim and receive the compensation that you deserve.
At our law firm, we have a team of adept defense attorneys with an abundance of experience in handling truck accident cases. We offer all our customers a free consultation where we will assess the legitimacy of your claim and offer valuable legal advice on the next best steps to take. Our phone lines are open around the clock, so you can call us when you need us most, and an accident lawyer will be there to help. Call us today at (941) 444-4444 and get started with your claim.
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