Who Investigates a Truck Accident in Florida?
Hurt in a semi-truck accident in Florida? The crash must be thoroughly investigated to determine what exactly went wrong. This raises an important question: Who is responsible for investigating a truck accident? The short answer is that many parties may investigate the incident, including law enforcement, the insurance company, and your lawyer. Here, our West Palm Beach semi-truck accident attorney explains why you need to make sure the investigation is done properly.
Truck Accidents in Florida Will Often Be Investigated By Three Different Parties
- Law Enforcement
After a serious truck accident in Florida, local or state law enforcement will typically respond to the scene and begin an official investigation. They gather crash data, inspect the vehicles, interview witnesses, and may issue citations or file charges. The police report is a key document. Typically, it will include some basic facts/information about the crash. You should always take action to get a copy of the police report after a truck accident in Florida.
- Insurance Company
Insurance companies will also investigate the accident. Indeed, the trucking company’s insurance provider will generally launch its own investigation without delay—but make no mistake, they are not on your side. These investigators are hired to protect corporate profits, not help you get justice. They will look for any excuse to reduce your claim, shift blame onto you, or even deny liability altogether. You cannot rely on the insurance company for a fair, impartial investigation.
- Your Lawyer
A semi-truck accident in Florida should always be carefully investigated by an experienced attorney. You need a lawyer who is on your side to conduct a proper investigation after a wreck. Your attorney will collect evidence, review police reports, review medical reports, consult with knowledgeable experts, and build the foundation for a strong legal case on your behalf. Unlike insurance companies, your lawyer works for you—not against you.
Why it Matters: Evidence is Key to Proving Fault After a Serious Tractor Trailer Crash
Evidence is the key to any personal injury case in Florida—and semi-truck accidents are certainly not an exception to the rule. Relevant evidence may include photographs of the crash, black box data from the truck, witness statements, police reports, and even an analysis for an accident reconstruction expert. Remember, trucking companies and their insurers will fight hard to deny responsibility. Without clear evidence, they may try to blame you for the collision.
Note: Florida is a no-fault state for semi-truck accidents. However, if you suffered a serious injury in a crash, you can file a fault-based truck accident lawsuit directly against the at-fault company.
Get a Free Consultation With a Top Trucking Accident Lawyer in West Palm Beach
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our West Palm Beach semi-truck accident attorney is a skilled, knowledgeable, and justice-focused advocate for injured victims. If you have any specific questions or concerns about the investigation of a truck accident, please do not hesitate to contact us today. Initial consultations are free, no obligation, and fully confidential. With offices in West Palm Beach and Miami, we handle truck accident claims throughout all of South Florida.
