If you’re going to seek compensation after a truck accident in Florida, it’s important to learn as much as you can about the other driver before taking any legal action. This way, you can set your case up correctly and you won’t miss out on compensation that you deserve just because some key factor was overlooked.
First of all, you must get the name of the truck driver who was involved in the accident. After you have his or her name, get the name of the trucking company that the driver was working for at the time. Depending on the circumstances, both of them may be named in the suit.
You also need details about the truck itself. What was the make and model? What was the license plate number? You don’t want there to be any confusion, and you do not want a driver to claim that he or she was not involved in the accident at all. Being able to tie things directly to the truck makes it all easier.
A truck driver needs to have a CDL, or a Commercial Driver’s License. Make sure that you get that number, as well.
Naturally, you’re also going to want the information that will be included in the police report, such as the time that the accident happened, the exact place where it occurred and any factors — such as weather or speed — that may have played into it. However, it’s crucial to remember to get all of the right identifying information for the specific driver and the truck, not just the raw accident information.
Source: FindLaw, “Five Things to Research Before Meeting a Truck Accident Attorney” accessed Feb. 10, 2015