The Truck Accident Law Firm Blog

There are a number of actions you can take if you’re a victim of a hit and run car or truck accident. Because the other driver has "run" your work may be a bit more difficult, but not necessarily impossible. The law is on your side–in many states, it is a felony to leave the scene of an accident regardless of what is at fault.
Call 911 immediately and report any injuries so that medical care is available as soon as possible. If possible write down as much information as is available:

• Describe the vehicle that hit you, especially the license plate number, but make, model, year and color of the vehicle is important.
• Note whatever details describe the driver,
• Get the names and contact information of all witnesses, police officers, tow companies and drivers, and anyone else present. Make a note of any comments they make.
• Write down the location of the accident, time of day, weather conditions, light conditions (if at night were there street lights, well or poorly lit, etc.)
• Describe the events leading up to the accident, as much as you observed.
• Was there a stoplight or stop sign, yield sign, one-way street, or any other traffic control signs.
• Any injuries to you, your passengers or bystanders.
• Any damage to your vehicle, possessions or property outside the vehicle.
• Because you have to move your car from the scene as soon as possible, note where the car was and it’s position, the location of broken glass, metal, hub caps, etc. Take pictures if you have a camera or camcorder.
• Any other factors that you remember. They may or may not be important, but assume that they will help your make your case and help get you a damage award.

It’s always a good idea to keep a camera in your car. Even an inexpensive, disposable camera will take pictures good enough to preserve evidence that will get swept away. Take pictures of everything that you see, including car damage, breakage (glass, headlights, etc.,) stop signs, witnesses, location of things in relation to one another, potholes, oil slicks, and anything that might help describe the event or scene.

An officer will come to take a report. If he is able to get the name of the person to whom the other vehicle is registered or licensed ask for that information, as well. You will be able to get a copy of the report when it has been filed, but that may be a few days.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, please contact an experienced truck accident attorney in your area today to schedule a no-cost, confidential consultation.

Some states, such as Florida, are what is called a "no-fault insurance" state, which means that the driver’s own insurance pays for "first-party" benefits and minor injuries received from a truck accident. There are also restrictions concerning what the injured party may sue for.

If you are an insured driver under Florida law your coverage includes Personal Injury Protections (PIP) coverage, which covers damages and injuries caused by an uninsured motorist, when you are not at fault, up to a $10,000 limit. PIP limits may be insufficient to cover all of your losses.

If your injuries meet the Florida criteria for severity, based upon death, significant disfigurement or medical bills, you may be entitled to sue the uninsured motorist for losses. Certainly, it’s advisable to keep track of any expense associated with the losses, injuries and damages you’ve suffered from an accident. Also, keep track of dates expenses were incurred, receipts, names of people associated with these expenses (doctors, repairmen, replacement of any item such as glasses or other property damaged in the accident) and a description of how that person or expense related to the accident.

It is important to consult with an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible. He can offer additional instructions or advice that you can follow beginning soon after the accident that may further protect your rights in this situation.

Knowing there are so many uninsured motorists on the roads, you should, if possible, get uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) insurance. You can also get bodily injury (BI) and additional medical coverage (MP) as well as other coverage to fill the gap left by less responsible drivers.

If you, or a loved one, have been injured as a result of a truck accident, you should contact an experienced truck accident attorney today.