One of Southwest’s Florida’s main industries is shipping and transportation. In fact, Florida has over 7.8 million trucks and is the number three state for the most semis on the road at any given time. As a result, Florida also has one of the highest rates of semi-truck accidents in the country. If you live in Southwest Florida, it is crucial you know what to do if you are ever in one of these accidents. Semi-truck accidents are extremely devastating because the average semi truck weighs between 10,000 and 25,000 pounds and up to 48,000 pounds depending on the haul. When a passenger vehicle is hit by a truck it causes severe damage. Here’s what to do.
Contact 911
In most cases, there will be injuries from a semi-truck accident. So calling 911 right away can help potentially save lives. If you are injured, go to the hospital before worrying about anything else. Your health is the most important thing and everything else can be figured out later. Even if everyone is okay, you will still need to speak with the police. The police will file a report detailing the accident. This report will be later used by the insurance companies during the settlement process. The police are also seen as objective by the courts, so having a police report can help with your claim.
Trade Information With The Truck Driver
If possible, exchange information with the truck driver. You will need their name, contact information, their insurance information, and the trucking company name. You will also give them your name, contact, and insurance information. You will need this information for when you file a claim. Only do this if you are not injured though. The police can collect this information if you need to go to the hospital right away.
Collect Evidence
Try to collect evidence from the scene. Take pictures of the accident, the road, and the damage. Also take pictures of any injuries. If there were any eyewitnesses, get their contact information. If there are traffic or security cameras, take note of where they are and if they could see the accident. This will all help you prove your claim later on. Don’t worry about overdoing it. The more evidence you gather, the better.
See A Doctor
Even if your injuries don’t seem very severe, you will still need to see a doctor. There are two main reasons. The first is that many injuries including life-threatening injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and internal bleeding can have delayed onset of symptoms. Getting an early diagnosis can help save your life and give you more treatment options for these injuries. Secondly, seeing a doctor immediately connects your injuries to your accident. This will be important when you file your claim. Insurance companies often try to say the injuries were pre-existing to get out of paying them.
Speak With An Attorney
Trucking accidents are not like passenger vehicle accidents. Trucking is a highly regulated business. Thus, there could be a number of people at fault for the accident. The driver, the company, the loading company, and the vehicle manufacturer are just some of the people who could be held liable for the accident. A trucking attorney understands these regulations and can investigate the situation. They’ll determine who is responsible for paying the damages from the accident.
The team at Justice Pays can help. Together we have won over $500 million dollars for Southwest Florida accident victims. We have years of experience defending the victims of trucking accidents and we will defend you as well. Call us now at 1-833-954-1234 or chat with us on our website. We’ll provide a free case review and answer any questions you may have about your legal rights.
Source: https://www.justicepays.com/news/five-things-to-do-if-youve-been-hit-by-a-semi-truck-in-florida
