As an injured passenger in a Florida truck accident, your health should be your first priority. However, you will also want to speak to an attorney as soon as possible to discuss how to protect your right to compensation. At Browning Law Firm, experienced Florida truck accident lawyer Coy H. Browning can help you understand your rights and options. 
Seek Medical Attention Immediately After a Florida Truck Accident
Even if you think your injuries are minor, the first thing you should do after being involved in any type of commercial truck accident is seek medical attention. The full extent of your injuries may not be immediately apparent due to the natural rush of adrenaline that occurs when the body has been through a stressful event.
Common Florida Truck Accident Injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs can range from concussions to more serious injuries that may require surgery or long-term care.
- Spinal cord injuries. These can lead to paralysis, which may be partial or complete.
- Broken bones. Truck accidents can cause broken bones and may require surgery to heal properly.
- Soft tissue injuries. These injuries cause damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the body. When you suffer a soft tissue injury, there is usually bruising, swelling, and pain as well.
You should go to the emergency room or your doctor as soon as possible after the accident. Even if you don’t have health insurance, your immediate medical needs should be covered by the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance that all drivers in Florida must carry. PIP includes coverage for all passengers in the vehicle regardless of who is at fault. Florida drivers must carry at least $10,000 worth of PIP.
Be sure to keep all documentation of your injuries and treatment, as this will help determine the amount of compensation you are owed.
Call a Florida Truck Accident Attorney to Protect Your Right to Compensation
After you've taken care of your immediate medical needs, you should contact a Florida personal injury lawyer who handles truck accident claims.
As an injured passenger, you will be able to pursue a claim from both the at-fault truck driver and the driver of the vehicle you were a passenger in. You may also have a claim against the owner of the truck, the company that serviced the truck, a part manufacturer, or another third party. An experienced Florida truck accident attorney can investigate the crash and determine who might be responsible for your injuries.
Insurance adjusters are focused on ensuring their employer remains profitable. As a result, they may try to downplay the severity of your injuries or offer you a low settlement. An attorney will be able to investigate the accident and build a strong case on your behalf and help get you the maximum possible compensation. Your attorney can also help ensure that you don’t accidentally make mistakes that could hurt your case.
Types of Compensation Available for Florida Truck Accident Claims
- Medical expenses. You can claim both current and future medical expenses related to your injuries, including hospitalization costs, rehabilitation costs, and costs for any long-term care you may need.
- Lost wages. If your injuries have kept you from being able to work, you can recover compensation for any wages you would have normally earned during this time.
- Pain and suffering. You can recover compensation for both the physical pain and emotional suffering caused by your truck accident injuries.
- Loss of consortium. If your injuries led to a loss of companionship or intimacy with your spouse or partner, you may be able to recover damages under what is known as loss of consortium.
Contact Browning Law Firm
If you’ve been recently injured as a passenger in a Florida truck accident, contact Browning Law Firm as soon as possible for a free, no-obligation consultation. As a former Florida State Trooper, attorney Coy H. Browning puts his experience investigating accidents involving delivery trucks, tow trucks, food trucks, 18-wheelers, and commercial vehicles to work for you.
To schedule an appointment at our Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, or Navarre office locations, fill out our online contact form, or call us at 850-344-1736.
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