Understanding Your Rights After a Traffic Accident Involving a Commercial Vehicle
As a professional truck driver based in Florida, experiencing an accident can be both stressful and confusing. Recently, I found myself involved in a collision when a vehicle ran a red light and struck the side of my company truck—a classic T-bone collision. The other driver was at fault, and she received a traffic ticket. Fortunately, both of us escaped serious injuries; she was experiencing some back pain, and I also had back discomfort initially, though I’m feeling much better today—likely just soreness from the impact. I haven’t sought medical attention yet, but I feel okay overall.
Impact on Work and Vehicle Damage
The crash resulted in significant damage: her vehicle was destroyed, and my truck sustained damage to the axle. Since I work for a small local trucking company without spare trucks, I’ll be off the road for about a week while repairs are underway. Thankfully, we’re insured—she has insurance, and my company’s trucking insurance covers me as well.
Legal Options After the Accident: To Sue or Not?
A few colleagues have suggested that I should pursue a claim against her insurance company. However, this is my first accident experience, and I’m unfamiliar with the legal process involved in such cases. I’m torn about whether I should file a lawsuit for damages or simply accept the situation and move forward.
Reflections and Advice
From an ethical standpoint, I feel uncomfortable about pursuing legal action—especially if the circumstances are clear-cut and the fault lies with the other driver. On the other hand, some have advised me that pursuing compensation might be the right step given the damages and the inconvenience of being off work.
What would you do in this situation? Should I pursue legal action against her insurance company to recover damages, or is it better to walk away and focus on recovery? I appreciate any insights or experiences you can share to help me make an informed decision.
