Truck accidents can result in significant harm to you and your loved ones. In Florida, where the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles records thousands of commercial vehicle crashes each year, a collision with one of these large vehicles can result in permanent impairments and injuries that take considerable time to heal.
Recovering financially from these accidents can be as difficult as recovering physically from the harm you sustained. To ensure you receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to after one of these tragic wrecks, it’s vital to consult with an experienced Florida truck accident attorney and follow these steps:
Do Not Admit Fault
One way you can severely impact your ability to recover compensation is to admit responsibility for your Florida truck accident. Therefore, it is crucial to your recovery that you do not apologize or admit to any negligent actions while at the crash scene.
Instead, provide the information requested of you by law enforcement and required by Florida law. If a law enforcement officer asks you how the crash occurred, provide only facts of which you are certain.
Then, let the police conduct their investigation, and your lawyer gather evidence about your accident. It may be that you were not at fault at all for causing the crash, or at least not the primary person responsible.
Get Medical Attention and Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions
It is difficult for you to know how much compensation you deserve after an accident if you do not know how seriously you have been hurt. Getting evaluated at your nearest hospital emergency room as soon as you can after a Florida truck accident is typically the best way to learn the extent of your injuries.
It is equally important to follow your doctor’s instructions and advice. This includes returning for follow-up appointments and undergoing procedures that are deemed necessary to recover from your injuries.
If you lack the funds to pay for all the recommended treatments, consider taking advantage of the assistance programs that some hospitals and clinics offer.
Keep a Journal of Your Recovery
Writing down your emotions and personal experiences after a Florida truck accident may not seem important. However, doing so can not only be therapeutic, but it can also make recovering appropriate compensation for your emotional and mental trauma easier.
Your present-sense impressions and feelings from day to day are easier to recall when you record them as they are happening. Do not worry about writing down your thoughts in any specific format. As long as you express your emotions honestly and why you are feeling those emotions, you are helping ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Avoid Settling Too Quickly
When a trucking company and its driver are responsible for your serious injuries, their insurer will probably attempt to settle with you quickly. Do not assume that they have your best interests at heart.
Instead, trucking company insurers are generally looking out for their bottom line and trying to limit their liability for damages.
Suppose that you take the first settlement offer made to you without fully considering how much you have been harmed. You can find yourself in a position where the compensation you get from your settlement agreement does not fully cover all of your losses and expenses.
Instead, wait until you have learned the full extent of your injuries and the other losses you’ve sustained. Then, you can better decide whether a settlement offer being extended to you is fair and reasonable. This is where a truck accident attorney is key.
Retain an Experienced Florida Truck Accident Lawyer
There are many ways a seasoned truck accident lawyer can help you beyond arguing your case in court. Your attorney can:
- Direct you to the medical and other treatment you need to fully recover
- Talk with insurers, law enforcement, and others about your case
- Gather and preserve evidence, records, and witness statements
- File claims and a lawsuit, if necessary
One of the most significant ways your attorney can assist you is by helping you negotiate an appropriate settlement for your claim. Your lawyer can advise you when a proposed settlement represents a fair resolution to your case and when you should refrain from accepting an offer.
Our Florida Truck Accident Team Can Protect Your Rights
After a truck accident, you don’t have to take on securing the compensation you deserve on your own. The skilled advocacy of a seasoned Florida truck accident lawyer from Schrier Law Group can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Contact us to schedule your consultation today.
