What Evidence Can You Use to Prove Liability in a Semi-Truck Accident Case?
Hurt in a semi-truck crash in Palm Beach County? You are not alone. Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports that there were more than 35,000 confirmed heavy duty truck accidents statewide in 2022. A trucker or trucking company may be held legally liable for a serious crash. You may be wondering: What evidence can be used to establish fault? The short answer is that a wide array of evidence may be relevant. Here, our West Palm Beach semi-truck accident attorney provides an overview of the evidence that can be used to prove fault after a crash in Florida.
Starting Point: No-Fault System for Minor/Moderate Truck Accidents in Florida
Florida is a no-fault insurance state for motor vehicle collisions, including trucking accidents. Your own insurance company covers the initial medical expenses and lost income after an accident—no matter who caused the crash. You can claim benefits through your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which is a mandatory form of coverage for all vehicle owners in Florida. You should always file a PIP claim after a bad truck accident.
At-Fault Claim After Serious Crash: It is also possible to bring a fault-based truck accident claim in many cases in Florida. If you sustain serious injuries in a truck accident in Florida that exceed your PIP coverage, you may be able to pursue a fault-based claim against the responsible party.
An Overview of Evidence You Can Use to Prove Fault in a Truck Crash Case
Evidence helps to build the foundation for any successful legal claim. Hurt in a tractor trailer crash in Florida? Here is an overview of common forms of evidence that may help you prove fault:
- Your Account: Your own detailed description of the tractor trailer crash in South Florida provides a personal perspective on what happened and why it happened.
- Police Report: The police report is a crucial document that records the officer’s observations and findings at the scene. Be sure to get a copy of the report right away.
- Witness Statements: Statements from people who witnessed the accident can corroborate your version of events and, potentially, provide additional insights about what happened
- Photos/Videos: Photos/videos from the crash scene capture relevant details, including things like the road conditions, positions of vehicles, and the damage.
- Truck Company Records: Maintenance logs, driver’s logs, and employment records from the trucking company can reveal violations of safety regulations and patterns of negligence.
- Expert Testimony: Testimony from accident reconstruction experts or medical professionals can explain the technical aspects of the crash.
Set Up a Free Case Review With Our West Palm Beach Truck Accident Attorney
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our West Palm Beach semi-truck accident lawyers fight aggressively to protect the rights of victims. If you or your loved one was hurt in a semi-truck collision, please do not hesitate to contact us today for a free consultation. With an office in West Palm Beach, we handle semi-truck accident claims throughout the wider region in South Florida, including in Palm Beach County, Martin County, Miami-Dade County, and Broward County.
Source:
flhsmv.gov/pdf/crashreports/crash_facts_2022.pdf
