Getting into a car accident of any kind can be devastating, and an accident with a large vehicle like a truck or even a semi can be catastrophic leading to death and lifelong injury. It doesn’t matter how careful or safe you are when on the road, the negligence of a truck driver can cause life altering consequences for everyone involved.

If you are involved in a truck accident, make sure that you do not leave the scene of the accident and call 911. While it may be tempting, especially if you are on the receiving end of a crash, it’s best not to engage with the other party involved. Bottom line: avoid talking with the person who hit you, unless necessary. Emotions can run high in an accident, so it’s best to keep quiet until the police and EMS arrive.

Here are a few things you should not do after an accident:

  • Don’t try to represent yourself against an insurance company. You might think that any insurance company will treat you fairly and offer an adequate settlement, but this is often not the case.
  • Don’t hire an attorney based on a TV or radio ad. These law firms are huge, and you’ll have to go through many levels of staff just to talk to the attorney that you thought you were hiring. At Injury Florida Law Firm P.A. you can speak with Attorney Katherine Stone whenever you need to!
  • This might sound obvious, but don’t leave the scene. Call 911 immediately.
  • Do not admit fault or apologize to the other party involved. Anything you say can be used against you later.
  • Even if you feel fine, don’t assume or say that you are ok. Since you have just been involved in an accident, you might not be thinking clearly and might not realize that you are, in actuality, hurt.
  • If possible, take photos of the cars involved in the accident before they have been moved. These can be important later to help assign liability for the accident.
  • Write down the other driver’s insurance information, and get a photo of the license plate of the other car involved.
  • Do not refuse to be medically assessed at the scene. Some injuries, like neck and back injuries, might take a few days to manifest. If you refuse treatment at the scene, the other driver’s insurance can say that you weren’t hurt and will try to get out of covering your injuries.
  • Do not speak to the other driver’s insurance company; instead, tell whoever calls you to contact your attorney. Insurers will often reach out to accident victims after an accident and try to offer a quick few hundred dollars settlement in exchange for an all-inclusive release. If you sign this release, you won’t be able to file a claim even if the injuries that you sustained are serious.

You may think that it is obvious who is at-fault in a truck accident, but this isn’t always the case. Potential negligent defendants could be any of the following:

  1. The driver
  2. The owner of the truck
  3. The truck manufacturer
  4. The truck loader
  5. The brake manufacturer
  6. The truck maintenance company

There are many factors that could play a part in an accident with a truck or other commercial vehicle, and these will need to be considered when it comes to determining fault. The trailer might not have been properly hitched to the truck, or perhaps the truck had faulty or poorly maintained brakes, worn tires, or an improper load distribution. It is not always black and white, and a determination for fault cannot be truly made until after the truck has been examined.

To really be protected when you are involved in an accident that is not your fault, you need to retain an experienced injury law firm that has successfully represented injured clients and knows how to work with insurance carriers.

Injury Florida Law Firm will make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve for your injuries, your pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages due to an accident with a truck or commercial vehicle. We will ensure that the insurance company for the at-fault party doesn’t take advantage of you by trying to settle your claim for an amount that is less than what your case is really worth.

Attorney Katherine Stone of Injury Florida Law Firm – 813-485-8041 – has spent her entire career helping those injured in an accident due to the negligence of another.  There is NO CHARGE for a consultation – and we get paid when you get paid!

Have you or a loved been injured due to the negligence of someone else?

Call us now at Injury Florida Law Firm, P.A. at 833-LAW-STONE.  Our operators are standing by 24 hours, 7 days per week to get your case moving.  Speak with attorney Anna Katherine Stone and find out what your rights are.

 Consultations are FREE – We don’t get paid until you do!