18-Wheeler Accident Overview
If you ever find yourself driving on the highway or through town and are next to a semi-truck, you’ve likely tried to drive around them. Most of the time, these trucks carry heavy or even dangerous cargo that can cause even more potential hazards if the vehicle were to crash into someone else. Also, it can be terrifying to collide with these vehicles since they are several times the size of a normal car. 18-wheeler accidents can happen just as easily as other car accidents. Drivers of semi-trucks are oftentimes faced with longer work hours and higher stipulations that can be stressful and draining, thus taking their focus off the road. Since semi-trucks are so powerful, they can ride on top of, rollover, or fall onto a standard car. These accidents are known as override, rollover, or jackknife accidents. All of these, including jackknife accidents, can be fatal.How A Truck Accident Attorney Can Help
Hiring a Stuart Truck Accident Lawyer can help you in several ways. Firstly, they can speak to your insurance representative on your behalf since this is the first place you should turn to for compensation in Florida. They will make sure all questions are answered in a way that will not inadvertently impact an outcome. Secondly, a Florida truck accident lawyer can help you determine what a fair outcome would be to cover your injuries. Since semi-trucking accidents can involve severe injuries and other parties involved, such as trucking companies, your case can be challenging. There may be some liability issues involved in your case that is not typically involved with regular car accidents. Dealing with a trucking company after a collision with one of their vehicles can be extremely difficult to navigate without the help of a trusted Miami truck accident attorney to represent you. Trucking companies have their own high-quality lawyers and insurance adjusters that will likely do their part to minimize how much they owe you for the accident. It can also be complicated to file a car accident lawsuit in Florida due to the no-fault system. You can expect several things after hiring a truck accident attorney, including:- Someone who’s on your side that you can trust
- A legal professional who is familiar with the current laws and regulations
- Help with collecting evidence
- An advocate who will speak on your behalf to insurance, the defendant, and in court
- The best chance at seeking extra compensation, when needed
What To Do After a Truck Accident
Your trusted attorney will do most of the work in using evidence to negotiate on your behalf for a fair settlement from your insurance company and possibly take your case to court if needed, but there are things you should do to help your attorney. Here are the steps to take immediately after your accident while you’re still at the scene if you are capable.Call 9-1-1
In Florida, it’s required for all drivers to call law enforcement most times they’re involved in an accident. Not only is this what you’re supposed to do, but the police report can be used as evidence in your case. The police will come out to the scene and interview you and the other party involved, look at the damage, and write an unbiased report.Do Not Decline Medical Care
EMS will likely arrive with law enforcement or shortly after. Even if you do not see any blood, cuts, or scrapes, you should still be medically examined. Some people try to skip this step, especially if they are afraid of medical professionals, but there are two important reasons to not skip this step. The first is to make sure there are no internal injuries you could have and the second is that your medical report can also be used as evidence to prove your injuries.Collect Necessary Evidence
While you’re at the scene, be sure to collect the following information evidence you can give to your attorney:- Photos of yourself and vehicle damage
- The other driver’s information
- Witnesses who would be willing to make a statement
- Any businesses nearby for cameras
