Three Reasons Why You Should Always Report a Truck Accident to the Police in Florida
Involved in a crash with a semi-truck in South Florida? Under Florida Statute § 316.061, you should stop your vehicle, exchange information, and remain at the scene of the collision unless there is a medical emergency. A crash should also always be immediately reported to law enforcement. Here, our West Palm Beach truck accident attorney explains why all crashes should be reported to the police in Florida.
Reason #1: It is the Law in Florida
All semi-truck accidents that result in physical injuries or significant property damage should be reported to law enforcement. That is a requirement of Florida law. You are required to report a motor vehicle accident to law enforcement if it results in injury, death, or property damage that appears to exceed $500. Given the size and weight of commercial trucks, even low-speed collisions can cause significant damage or harm. Of course, $500 in property damage is very little. For that reason, most truck accidents need to be reported to police by law in Florida.
Reason #2: A Police Report is Important Evidence
When you call the police after a truck accident, a law enforcement officer will generally come to the scene of the accident itself and write a crash report. A police report is one of the most valuable pieces of evidence in a truck accident claim. To start, it is documentation that a crash happened.
Beyond that, the police report provides an unbiased third-party account of the crash, including details about the vehicles, parties involved, and any initial observations from the officer. Insurance companies and courts often rely on these reports to establish what happened.
Truck Accident Tip: Make sure that you request a copy of the police report after a truck accident. You should reach out to the specific law enforcement agency that responded to the collision. If you have any questions about what you need to do to get the police report, an experienced West Palm Beach, FL commercial truck accident attorney can help.
Reason #3: Calling the Police Helps to Protect You Against False Claims
Another reason why you should always report a crash is that doing so creates an official record of the incident—and that can protect you if the other driver tries to change their story later. You may not always be dealing with honest people after a truck accident. The trucker or another party may even lie about the crash. Unfortunately, in some cases, people attempt to shift blame or exaggerate their injuries after the fact. Having law enforcement document the scene right away creates an official, timely record of the truck accident that can help to protect you against false claims.
Contact Our West Palm Beach Semi-Truck Accident Attorney Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our West Palm Beach truck accident lawyers are skilled, effective advocates for victims and families. We are here to help you fight for the full and fair financial compensation that you deserve after a serious crash. Contact us today for a free, no obligation case review. With an office in West Palm Beach, our firm serves communities all across South Florida.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.061.html
