If you need to file a truck accident claim in Florida, the process is similar to any other car accident. Call the police to create an accident report, then report the accident to your insurer and the trucker’s insurance company. Truckers are required to exchange insurance information after a crash like any other driver.
However, filing a truck accident claim is just the beginning. Once you file, you can expect the insurers to start asking questions to prove what happened and work to reduce how much they have to pay. Therefore, you may wish to hire a lawyer before you file your claim.
GOLDLAW has West Palm Beach truck accident lawyers ready to talk with the insurers on your behalf. Get GOLDLAW and get the help you need and the compensation you deserve.
Steps to File a Truck Accident Claim in Florida
Here are the steps that GOLDLAW recommends you should take to file a truck accident claim.
Seek Medical Attention
After a crash, get medical care as soon as you can. If you or anyone else is injured, call 911 for help. Even if you feel fine at first, some injuries may not show symptoms right away. See a doctor if you develop pain or other symptoms later.
Seeing a doctor also creates a record of your injuries and the treatment you received. This documentation can help connect your injuries to the crash if you later file a claim.
Report the Accident to Law Enforcement
If you haven’t already, you also need to file a crash report with law enforcement. This can be done at the scene by calling 911, or you can report it up to 10 days later. The crash report documents the crash and can provide insurers with important information about what happened.
The police should give you a case number to reference. Our lawyers can get the report with that number once it’s ready.
Document the Scene and Preserve Evidence
Thanks to smartphones, it’s easy to take photos and videos at the scene to document what happened and who was involved. Try to capture the following:
- The USDOT number and license plate of the truck, and any company logos on the truck that hit you. See this USDOT Guide for more information.
- The damage to the vehicles
- The general scene, including location markers like street signs
- Your own injuries
Do not repair your vehicle until our lawyers have had a chance to review it. There could be evidence that could be helpful to your case. Likewise, keep the clothing you wore during the crash.
Notify Your Insurance Company
As part of your coverage, insurers usually require crash victims to report what happened. You do not need to go into great detail. Tell them you were in a crash and give them the basic facts about what happened.
They may ask for the insurance information of the trucking company and other basic information. Have that handy before you call. Do not say anything that admits or accuses others of fault. GOLDLAW can do that for you once we take your case.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer to File Your Claim
With the evidence you have and your legal responsibilities finished, now is the time to speak with a Florida truck accident lawyer about what happened. Personal injury lawyers usually offer free consultations to assess cases and explain how they can help you.
With a truck accident lawyer on your side, they can contact the other side’s insurance company to demand compensation for you. You can also refer any calls you receive from insurers to them.
For a free legal consultation, call 561-222-2222
Florida’s Statute of Limitations for Truck Accidents
All accident claims have a legal limit for how long you can wait between the accident and any lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations. In Florida, you have two years to start a lawsuit. If you try to file beyond that point, the courts will deny your case.
This deadline is there so that evidence and memory do not become so old that they are no longer reliable. It also forces plaintiffs to take legal action sooner rather than later. The more time you give your lawyer, the more time they’ll have to work before you’re forced into a lawsuit.
Most personal injury cases settle within a year after starting them, and there is little benefit to waiting to start. If you are helping a loved one who is severely injured and cannot contact GOLDLAW, call us on their behalf, and we’ll explain your options.
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Do You Need a Lawyer to File a Claim?
No, but you are at a serious disadvantage in a truck accident case if you do so. You will likely face at least two insurance companies: the truck driver’s insurer and their employer’s insurer. That’s double the headaches and negotiation.
You’ll also face people who handle truck accident claims every day. Unless you’re an insurer or a lawyer yourself, this is probably your first time dealing with a personal injury claim. You’re at a strong disadvantage, which is why people turn to experienced attorneys to handle the negotiations for them.
By letting GOLDLAW file your truck accident claim in Florida, you gain peace of mind and the freedom to focus on your recovery and not on the next phone call from an insurer. You’ll also have someone fighting to help you get the most money possible.
Call or text 561-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
Get Help Filing Your Truck Accident Claim in Florida
Now that you know how to file a truck accident claim in Florida, it’s time to take action. By carefully building your case with the help of a lawyer and taking the steps in this article, you’ll set yourself up for a strong case.
If you are in South Florida, reach out to GOLDLAW for a free consultation with our attorneys. We’ll be glad to assist you.
