What to do After You Get Into a Truck Accident in Tampa

Getting into a truck accident can be a terrifying experience. Trucks are massive; and whether or not you were the one driving it, the impact can be overwhelming. If you have been in a truck accident, you may not know what to do immediately, but there are some things that you should do right away. In this blog, we’ll talk about what to do after a truck accident, how to seek compensation, and what to anticipate from the process.

What to do after a truck accident? The immediate steps to take after an accident in Tampa:

The first logical step is getting out of your car or truck and assessing the situation if you’re physically able to. This could include checking for injuries, fatalities, pedestrian victims, etc. The following are the next steps: 

Call the police

If the accident is major with potential casualties, call 911. If it’s more of a fender-bender, call the Tampa non-emergency number –  (813) 231-6130.  The police will ask for the driver’s name and description of the incident. The driver’s name, physical address, and insurance information will be helpful when filing a claim with the insurance company. They will document the accident and collect evidence.

The police report should give you all the information you need to file a claim. 

Seek medical attention: 

If you have been hurt in a truck accident, you should see a doctor right away. A physician can identify potential injuries and treat them properly. Additionally, the doctor’s report will serve as evidence of the date of the accident, which is important in a Tampa truck accident case. Remember that time is of the essence when it comes to recovering from a truck accident. You must make sure that you have adequate medical care as soon as possible.

Gather whatever evidence you can: 

A photo or video of the accident scene is critical so that you can use them later in court. If you’re injured, you may want to ask witnesses to provide a testimony and contact information. Take pictures of the crash scene and the damage to your vehicle. If the other driver is at fault, it’s important to keep detailed records of what happened. It’s also essential to note the make and model of the truck and the other driver’s license number. You should take pictures of the scene as well.  

You can also get witnesses to testify in your case. If you are in the hospital, ask a friend to take photos of the crash scene and the other driver’s car. You should also request a copy of the police report. This will be crucial for your case. Make sure to follow all traffic laws and take photographs of any vehicle that may have caused the accident. Use the contacts you collected from witnesses to see if they took any pictures or videos; they may have captured from angles that you didn’t. It’s important to collect this information so that you can make the best claim possible. 

Call a Tampa truck accident attorney

A competent attorney can help you get the financial compensation you deserve. They can also help you make sure that the other driver is held accountable. Florida has a four-year statute of limitations for filing truck accident lawsuits, which means that you have a limited amount of time to file a claim. An attorney can help you with the insurance company and handle all the paperwork. A good truck accident attorney can take care of all the paperwork for you and can help you deal with the insurance companies on your behalf. If you or a loved one is involved in a Tampa truck accident, it’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

Call your insurance company

Florida state regulation requires at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection insurance (PIP) to pay for the medical costs of drivers and their passengers, regardless of who is to blame for the mishap. Florida is a “no-fault” state, which means that you can only sue an at-fault driver once your own cover as a motor vehicle driver is depleted. If you are not a driver but have been caught in a truck accident; you can immediately seek compensation from the truck driver’s insurance company through their company. 

If you are unable to contact the trucking company after the accident, you can still contact the truck driver’s insurance company. Most truck accidents require multiple rounds of negotiation. The insurance companies will need time to assess the damage and determine liability. They can also fire the driver if they were at fault. Ultimately, should you choose the right attorney for you,  you can ask them questions about the specifics of your Tampa truck accident case.

What are the insurance policies governing commercial trucks in Tampa? 

The state’s base obligation limits are $10,000 per individual and $20,000 per accident covering bodily injury, and $10,000 for any damage to property such as vehicles. This is referred to as the 10/20/10 rule. In Tampa, this is known as Residual Bodily Injury and Property Damage (RBI-PD). This is because it pays. Property harm coverage is mandatory, while residual bodily injury cover is discretionary.

Trucking companies may be expected to sign up for higher limits depending on the types of vehicles they have in their portfolio and what kind of business they are in. 

You should request that your lawyer contact the insurance agency and document a case on your behalf. If you’re injured in a truck accident in Tampa, you may be entitled to some compensation. Because insurance agents represent their insurance companies, it is essential to recall that they are not on your side. The agent will attempt to persuade you that you were to blame for the accident. Make sure your Tampa truck accident lawyer helps you through this part of the process.

What sort of remuneration would you be able to get after a truck mishap?

You’re entitled to compensation if you’re caught up in a truck accident in Tampa. Your insurance company (or theirs) should remunerate you for all damages you experience as a result of this accident. The insurance adjuster will not want to offer you the full compensation that is due to you; do not forget that it is your legal right to be paid back. If you gathered your evidence well and worked with a qualified attorney to help you through the process, the process should be quite straightforward.

Your compensation will depend on the extent of your injuries. Apart from medical costs, a personal injury attorney will compile a detailed analysis of your injuries. This is why keeping detailed medical records and copies of medical bills is important. These documents will demonstrate what you suffered from the crash. Although the insurance company may not agree to cover the full amount of your expenses, you are entitled to compensation if you have been injured in a truck accident. 

Depending on the extent of your injury and the degree of a fault the court assigns you, you could be eligible for partial or full compensation. Your Tampa truck accident lawyer will help you navigate the legal process and ensure you get what you deserve. You may be entitled to compensation for:

• Pain and suffering arising from the truck accident
• Lost income during recuperation
• Hospital expenses and long-term care.
• Assuming you are the casualty of a genuine accident, your companion might be qualified for extra pay.

How frequent are truck accidents in Tampa? 

Although truck accidents can happen anywhere, there are some areas where they occur more frequently. Every city has certain intersections and on-ramps that are known to be dangerous. In Tampa, Himes Avenue North and Waters Avenue are two such spots. 

Whether a large or small truck is involved, Florida truck accidents can be deadly. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety records data for these crashes and says that in the past year, there were approximately 1,138 large truck crashes that killed people. In most cases, these victims were passengers of passenger vehicles, while a small percentage of the fatalities were pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists. Because trucks are larger and more powerful than most cars, they are also more likely to cause more serious injuries and fatalities than other types of vehicles.

Large trucks are most likely to cause accidents with cars. The FHSMV tracks these accidents and reports them every year. In Florida, truck collisions result in an estimated 140,000 injuries each year and 700 deaths. The resulting damage from truck collisions is far greater than those caused by passenger car crashes. 

How a truck accident attorney can help you seek compensation for your injuries

To secure compensation for your injuries, contact a Tampa truck accident attorney. The attorneys at Coleman Law Group have extensive experience representing victims of large truck crashes and other traffic-related crimes.

Here’s what a good attorney can do for you:

Help with a collection of evidence

They will gather evidence and witnesses and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. A Tampa truck accident attorney will investigate the accident, collect witness statements, consult with experts, and consult with other attorneys. To get the full picture, they will also determine if the truck driver was working too many hours, and how long the truck was on the road at the time of the collision. 

Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork

The lawyers can also help you with the paperwork required to win your case. They can also negotiate for you to get the maximum settlement possible. This could include handling insurance paperwork on your behalf to ensure you’re not blindsided by often craft insurance adjusters. They can adequately calculate the potential value of your case.

Filing a suit

A personal injury attorney will also be able to determine whether or not you’re eligible for a Florida truck accident lawsuit. If you are and (most times) there will be a party that will try to get away with not paying you, your attorney can prepare to go to war for you. Sometimes, they can increase the chances of you getting more compensation than you otherwise would. 

They know the exact right paperwork to bring, the court to file your cases at and the evidence to present before the court. The truck accident lawyer will be able to prove the other party’s liability and work to get you the compensation you deserve. 

It’s important to contact an experienced Tampa truck accident lawyer right away after the accident. The statute of liability is only 4 years after the accident; after which you cannot seek any compensation. Your family or friends can also contact the lawyer on your behalf. After the accident, your lawyer can start preserving data and gathering evidence. This will help you get the compensation you need after a truck accident. 

As you can see, there are many advantages to hiring a Tampa truck accident attorney. At Coleman Law Group, we are the team you need by your side protecting your interests and getting you the maximum compensation for your troubles.