How Do I Tell If I Have a Valid Truck Accident Case?
More truck accidents take place in Florida each year than in almost any other state. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, about 35,000 truck accidents occur in the Sunshine State annually. This puts it behind only California and Texas in terms of total truck accidents.
Were you involved in a truck accident in Florida recently? You may wonder whether you should call a truck accident lawyer and file a case against the at-fault driver in your crash.
Before you do, figure out if you have a valid truck accident case. Here’s how to do it.
Read Through the Police Report Regarding Your Truck Accident
Any time you’re involved in a truck accident, you should call 911 and ask for local police to come to the scene. They can investigate it and speak with drivers and eyewitnesses to put together a police report that indicates what happened.
You can then track down a copy of this police report so you can review it to see if you have a valid truck accident case. Many police departments make it easy to request one, even if you haven’t hired a truck accident lawyer yet.
Let’s say, for example, that your truck accident occurred in Plantation, FL, and the Plantation Police Department was in charge of generating a police report. Visit the Plantation website and scroll down to the “Accident Reports” section to see how you can procure a copy of it. A personal injury attorney can also obtain the report on your behalf.
You can read through it to find out who the police thought was responsible for your accident. If it suggests a truck driver caused your crash, you might sit in the perfect position to file a truck accident lawsuit and collect compensation. Vehicle “1” on the crash report is usually deemed the “at-fault” party.
Find Evidence Related to Your Truck Accident
The key to filing a successful truck accident case is working to prove negligence on the part of the truck driver who was involved. You might also have the chance to pin the blame for a truck accident on:
- A trucking company
- A truck parts manufacturer
- A warehousing company that loaded a truck
Whatever the case, you’ll need to search for evidence that bolsters your truck crash claims. A truck accident lawyer can help. This evidence can include the police report, but it should also include other things like:
- Photographs and videos you took with your smartphone
- Eyewitness accounts
- The electronic logging device and black box data from a truck
- Records from a trucking company
- Your medical records
Establishing liability in your truck accident case is the key to winning it. It’s also the key to determining if you have a valid truck accident case in the first place.
Speak With a Truck Accident Attorney
If you’ve never filed a truck accident case, you may not know the first thing about gathering evidence to prove negligence or communicating with your insurance company after a crash about the next steps you’ll need to take. This is where a truck accident lawyer can offer assistance.
Hiring legal representation will make it easier to decide if you should file a truck accident lawsuit. It will benefit you during negotiations that may take place with the liable party in your case.
Call Us When You Need a Reliable Truck Accident Lawyer
Recovering from a truck accident in Florida can present many challenges. Figuring out if you have a valid truck accident case is one of them.
Lyons & Snyder can help those involved in truck accidents in Florida. Contact us at 954-787-1819 to speak with a trusted truck accident lawyer.
