Do I Need to File a Police Report After a Miami Truck Accident?
February 25, 2022 | Sagi Shaked | Truck Accidents
Florida law requires you to report a Miami truck accident if the accident meets specific criteria. However, because you could sustain injuries that you might not be aware of immediately following a truck accident, it is generally wise to call the police to report the crash and allow them to file a police report. In addition, having an official record of the truck accident could be helpful if you file a personal injury claim.
When Do You Need to File a Police Report After a Miami Truck Crash?
Florida Statutes §316.066 and §316.065 explain the conditions that require a law enforcement officer to file a Florida Traffic Crash Report Long Form after investigating an accident. The report must be filed within ten days after the officer completes the investigation. Conditions that require a traffic crash report include accidents that involve:
- Death or personal injury to any of the parties or passengers
- A driver leaving the scene of the accident
- Driving under the influence
- A motor vehicle being inoperable, requiring a wrecker to remove it from the accident scene
- Commercial motor vehicles
- At least $500 in apparent property damage
Drivers are also under a legal duty to provide information to the other driver and render aid to victims at an accident scene.
You will almost always have to report a truck accident to the police. If you were in an accident and you didn’t report the truck accident to the police immediately, call your local police department to report the truck crash. You can also self-report by completing a form online or by mail.
Why Should You Report a Truck Accident to the Police?
In addition to complying with Florida laws, there are several benefits of calling 911 to report a truck crash.
Some benefits of allowing police officers to handle the accident investigation include:
- Other individuals involved in the accident could be angry or hostile
- Alcohol or drugs may be involved
- The police officers generally note who contributed to the cause of the truck crash and whether the drivers were charged with traffic violations
- Your injuries may prevent you from gathering information and evidence at the accident scene
- The police officers generally take statements from eyewitnesses and obtain their contact information
- When you call 911 for a commercial truck accident, the appropriate government agencies who regulate the trucking industry are notified of the crash
Having an official traffic crash report helps support your claim of injuries and damages caused by the accident. Furthermore, it’s rare for a truck accident not to cause at least $500 in property damage. Therefore, you must call the police to report the truck accident to comply with Florida laws.
What Should I Do After a Miami Truck Accident?
Seek medical treatment as soon as possible. In many cases, truck accident victims are transported directly to the emergency room because of the severity of their injuries. Common truck accident injuries include:
- Severe burns and disfigurement
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Loss of limbs and amputation
- Broken bones and fractures
- Back and neck injuries
- Internal organ damage and bleeding
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
A commercial truck and passenger vehicle collision generally results in significant property damage and catastrophic injuries. The passengers in other vehicles and non-passengers sustained roughly three-fourths of the deaths and injuries caused by truck accidents in 2019.
No matter how severe your injuries are, the trucking company and its insurance provider may fight the claim to limit their liability for damages. In addition, they may use numerous tactics to shift blame for the accident to the victims or another party.
The damages caused by a truck accident can be significant. A Miami truck accident lawyer helps victims recover full compensation for injuries and damages.
What Damages Can I Recover for a Truck Accident Claim?
Victims may sustain severe injuries which result in substantial damages. The types of damages you could receive after a truck accident include:
- Reimbursement for necessary medical treatment, nursing care, and therapies
- Your loss of income and benefits
- Compensation for permanent disabilities and impairments, including reductions in future earning potential and ongoing medical expenses
- Pain and suffering caused by mental anguish, physical injuries, and emotional distress
- Compensation for a loss of quality of life, enjoyment of life, and disfigurement
The amount you could receive for a truck accident case depends on the severity of your injuries and other factors. Truck accident cases are complex personal injury claims that often involve multiple parties. Seeking legal advice as soon as possible after the crash could give you a better chance of recovering the compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Truck Accident Law Firm in Miami, FL
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Miami, FL and need legal help, contact our Miami truck accident lawyers at Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers
20900 NE 30th Ave Suite 715
Aventura, FL 33180
(305) 937-0191