A Trucker Lied About Why the Crash Happened—What are My Options?

Were you involved in a commercial truck accident in South Florida? You need compensation to cover your damages and pay your bills. Unfortunately, in some cases, truck accident victims have to deal with a trucker who simply lies about how and why the collision happened. It is crucial that you take a proactive approach in this type of case. Here, our Miami semi-truck accident lawyer explains what you can do if the trucker is lying about what happened in your crash.

You Should Speak to a Florida Truck Accident Lawyer

 If you were involved in a serious crash with a tractor trailer, you need an attorney—especially if the trucker is lying about what happened to cause the accident. Your lawyer can review your case and help you develop a plan of action to prove what really happened.

You Can Seek the Truck’s Electronic Logging Device (ELD) and Black Box Data 

In Florida, most commercial trucks are equipped with devices that track speed, braking, and driving hours. These are objective records that, in some cases, can be used to help disprove a trucker’s false version of events. An attorney can help you take action to get these records.

You Can Take Action to Compel the Trucker and Truck Company to Preserve Evidence

Will the trucker and trucking company try to hide evidence? You can take action to prevent that. Send a legal spoliation letter requiring the trucking company to preserve logbooks, GPS data, and any dashcam footage. Destroying or altering this evidence can be grounds for sanctions.

You Can Track Down Surveillance Footage or Eyewitness Testimony 

A comprehensive investigation of a disputed truck accident should always happen. Your Florida truck accident lawyer can try to track down video and witnesses. Nearby businesses or traffic cameras may have captured the crash. Witnesses may also contradict the trucker’s claims.

You Can Report the Incident to the FMCSA or Other Regulators 

If the trucker’s false statement involves a violation of federal regulations, you can file a complaint with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In some cases, an FMCSA investigation could help to move your civil legal case forward.

 Note: Our state operates under a no-fault standard, including for truck accidents. Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) explains that all motorists are required to get Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Your initial claim is a PIP claim—even if a negligent trucker caused your crash. However, if you suffered a serious injury, you can bring a fault-based truck accident claim.

 We Fight for Justice for Truck Accident Victims in South Florida 

At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our Miami tractor trailer accident attorney is standing by, ready to fight for your rights. If you or your loved one was hurt in a semi-truck accident, we are here to help. Call us now or contact us online for a free, no obligation case evaluation. With an office in Miami, we represent truck accident victims throughout South Florida.