The accident scene after a truck accident is frightening and confusing, especially for those who’ve suffered serious injuries or have injured family members. Often, the distress of the accident continues during the days and weeks following the accident as injury victims navigate Florida’s complex accident claim system to file a claim for damages such as property damage, medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Because truck accidents are so catastrophic, often a victim’s injuries are life-altering, leaving them with temporary or permanent disability. Even less serious injuries can cause significant financial hardship for victims during their medical treatment and recovery.
When a truck driver’s carelessness or a trucking company’s negligence causes an accident to occur, a successful truck accident claim in Florida can recover compensation and a sense of justice for the injury victim. The truck accident lawyers in Sarasota and Bradenton from Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann can handle your claim and help you get the compensation you deserve. But first, it’s important to know what mistakes an injury victim should avoid making after a truck accident in Florida.
Emotions run high after a terrifying truck accident. Many injury victims find themselves apologizing or making other remarks that may be construed as admitting fault and later used against them. Even if you think you might have made a mistake and caused an accident, the evidence might prove differently, but if you’ve admitted fault you may be found liable for the damages. Even off-hand comments like, “I never saw you coming” may be interpreted as admitting fault.
After an accident, don’t discuss the cause or make any statements about how the accident occurred until after you’ve hired an attorney.
After a serious accident, the main focus of the police is to quickly clear the scene so it doesn’t impede traffic flow. This means critical evidence disappears forever. While you may be unable to move safely due to serious injuries, if an uninjured person at the scene can use a cell phone, it only takes a few minutes to preserve important evidence. Use a cell phone to do the following:
Be sure to go to a hospital immediately after the accident, either in an ambulance or by arranging transportation.
Even if you think you are okay after an accident, you could develop symptoms of serious injuries later, after the adrenaline subsides. It’s critical for your health and safety to have a thorough examination after an accident. This also provides important documentation showing that your injuries occurred in the truck accident. Be sure to tell the doctor about every symptom, even if it seems mild. Ask for a detailed medical report with treatment recommendations and your prognosis.
As an injury victim, you should never accept a quick settlement offer by a trucking company’s insurance company since they typically offer fast settlements when they know your claim is worth far more than they’re offering. However, you also shouldn’t wait too long to hire an experienced truck accident attorney and file a compensation claim. Florida has a two-year statute of limitations on accident claims and your attorney will need time to document evidence and negotiate the best possible settlement for your damages. If the case ends up going to court, it must be within Florida’s two-year statute of limitations.
It’s best to hire an attorney soon after a truck accident and then refer all communication with the insurance company to your lawyer.
