After A Commercial Vehicle Accident

Road accidents are one of the leading causes of injury or death in the United States. Being struck by another passenger car or pickup truck can be serious enough, with the potential to cause serious harm – but when an accident involves a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), that potential is much, much higher. If you have been involved in this type of crash, the moments immediately afterward can make the difference between recovering monetarily for what you have been through, and having to go it alone.

On The Scene

As one might imagine immediately after a road accident, a person’s first priority is to get themselves and any passengers to safety, getting off the roadway and contacting emergency services ASAP to ensure anyone in need of medical treatment is taken care of as quickly as possible. If you need medical attention, do your best to gather evidence while you can – take photos to capture facts like the position of the vehicles, any traffic lights or signs, and the like.

While the procedure in a CMV accident will be largely similar to those followed after an accident between two cars, one major difference is that regardless of the level of injury or property damage, law enforcement must be called in Florida every time there is a road accident involving a CMV. A police report can sometimes be a valuable tool in court or in making insurance claims.

In The Days After

Once the immediate needs of those involved in the accident have been managed, the next step is to contact your no-fault insurance company. Florida requires every driver to carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, and at least $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL) coverage. In most cases, that coverage will reimburse you for medical bills and other expenses incurred in this type of situation, though only actual damages will be covered.

Keep in mind that Florida observes what is known as an “injury threshold” within its no-fault system. If the harm you have suffered is “significant and permanent,” such as losing a limb or a bodily function, that threshold is deemed to have been met, and you may then file suit against the (allegedly negligent) CMV instead of having to seek compensation through your insurer. The rationale is that in these situations, one’s PIP coverage may not be enough to cover all the bills for such serious injuries.

Call A Tampa Commercial Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in an accident involving a commercial motor vehicle, know that you have the right to seek compensation if negligence was a factor. A Tampa commercial motor vehicle accident attorney from the Rinaldo Law Group can help you position yourself to receive the best possible legal outcome. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.

Source:

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.066.html