Personal Injury | Tucker Law

The Vanishing Evidence: Why Time is Crucial After a Florida Car-Truck Collision
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The Vanishing Evidence: Why Time is Crucial After a Florida Car-Truck Collision

Truck Accident

The Vanishing Evidence: Why Time is Crucial After a Florida Car-Truck Collision

Time is of the essence in the aftermath of a car-truck collision. The first shock and trauma may cause you to feel disoriented, but it is critical to remember that every second counts. Especially in Florida, where the subtropical temperature hastens the physical degradation of evidence at the scene and digital evidence, such as body cam video, can vanish quickly. Tucker Law's experienced accident attorneys are here to walk you through the significance of acting quickly to defend your rights and secure critical evidence. 1. The Transient Characteristics of Body Cam Video Body cam films offer an objective, first-person view of the accident scene, frequently catching details that can have a substantial impact on your claim. However, keeping this type of digital evidence can be difficult. Florida law enforcement agencies have various retention regulations for body camera footage. Some agencies may store the footage for only a few weeks, while others may keep them for several months. If a formal request to save the tape is not submitted within the term specified by the agency, the video may be permanently erased. 2. Obtaining Body Camera Video Evidence Once you've retained legal counsel, one of the first things your lawyer should do is request the body cam footage from the responding officer(s). This request must be made in writing and should include the date, time, and location of the accident, as well as the name(s) of the officers involved, if known. 3. The Importance of Body Cam Footage Body cam recordings can be crucial evidence in car-truck crash cases, capturing the physical layout of the site, witness accounts, admissions by the parties involved, and the initial injury assessment. All of these elements can help to strengthen [...]

Debunking Myths: Unveiling the Truth About Car Accident Cases in Florida
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Debunking Myths: Unveiling the Truth About Car Accident Cases in Florida

Car Accident, Personal Injury

Debunking Myths: Unveiling the Truth About Car Accident Cases in Florida

In the aftermath of a car accident, victims often find themselves swimming in a sea of information and advice. While some of this information can be helpful, there's a significant amount that falls into the category of myths and misinformation. As experienced an accident attorney law firm, at Tucker Law, we're here to help you navigate these murky waters and separate fact from fiction. Here are some common myths about car accident cases in Florida, and the truth behind them: 1. Myth: You can't claim compensation if the accident was partly your fault. Truth: Florida operates under a "pure comparative negligence" system. This means that even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you could still be entitled to compensation. However, your compensation may be reduced by the percentage of your fault. 2. Myth: The at-fault driver's insurance will cover all your expenses. Truth: In reality, insurance companies often try to minimize the amount they pay out. They might dispute the severity of your injuries or argue that some of your medical treatments aren't necessary. That's why it's essential to have a skilled attorney advocating for your rights. 3. Myth: You have to go to court to get compensation. Truth: Many car accident cases are settled out of court. In fact, a fair settlement can often be negotiated without ever needing to step foot in a courtroom. However, if a fair settlement can't be reached, we at Tucker Law are prepared to fight for your rights in court. 4. Myth: You have plenty of time to file a lawsuit after a car accident. Truth: Florida law imposes a statute of limitations on car accident cases. You typically have four years from the date [...]

Unmasking Liability: Who Can Be Held Responsible in a Driverless Car Accident?
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Unmasking Liability: Who Can Be Held Responsible in a Driverless Car Accident?

Car Accident, Personal Injury

Unmasking Liability: Who Can Be Held Responsible in a Driverless Car Accident?

In the realm of technology, driverless cars, or autonomous vehicles, have brought about a revolution, ushering in what many believe to be the future of transportation. However, with this exciting advancement comes a new set of legal complexities, particularly when it comes to car accidents involving these vehicles. At Tucker Law, our wealth of experience as accident attorneys allows us to shed light on these complexities. Today, we'll be answering a question that is becoming increasingly relevant: Who can be sued when a driverless car causes an accident? 1. The Vehicle Manufacturer As it relates to autonomous vehicles, the line between a car manufacturer and a tech company is blurry. If a defect in the vehicle's design or manufacturing process led to the accident, the vehicle manufacturer could potentially be held responsible. 2. The Software Provider Driverless cars operate using advanced software and AI systems. If it can be proven that a software error or malfunction caused the accident, then the software provider or developer might be held liable. 3. The Human Operator or Vehicle Owner While the car may be 'driverless', human oversight is often still necessary for these vehicles. If the accident occurred because the human operator failed to intervene when they should have, they could be held liable. Similarly, the vehicle owner can be held responsible if they failed to maintain the vehicle properly or ignored necessary software updates. 4. Other Parties In some situations, other parties, such as rideshares could also be held liable. For example, a city or state might be sued if poor road conditions or ill-kept traffic signals contributed to the accident. Navigating the legal landscape after a driverless car accident can be confusing due to the multiple [...]

The Crucial Importance of Not Providing a Statement to the Insurance Adjuster After a Crash
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The Crucial Importance of Not Providing a Statement to the Insurance Adjuster After a Crash

Car Accident, Personal Injury

The Crucial Importance of Not Providing a Statement to the Insurance Adjuster After a Crash

When you're involved in a car accident, the immediate aftermath can feel overwhelming. Among the flurry of events - contacting law enforcement, ensuring everyone's safety, assessing damage, and dealing with the stress of it all - you might also receive a call from an insurance adjuster. At Tucker Law, we are committed to providing the public with essential advice based on our extensive experience as accident attorneys. We have one significant piece of advice we'd like to share today: Do not give a statement to the insurance adjuster after a crash! Insurance adjusters might seem friendly and concerned about your well-being, but remember, they work for the insurance company, not you. Their primary role is to minimize the amount their company will have to pay out in claims. They may ask about your driving record, who you live with, or how you are feeling. All things that insurance companies can try to use against you later to avoid paying money. Here's other reasons why you should avoid giving them a statement right after the accident. The Danger of Early Statements When you're still in shock or possibly injured, you might not have a clear understanding of the accident. Your statement at this point might not reflect the reality of the situation. If you say something in error, the insurance company can use it against you to reduce your compensation or even deny your claim altogether. The Risk of Misinterpretation Insurance adjusters are skilled in asking leading or confusing questions. In the chaos and stress post-accident, you might inadvertently agree to something that isn't accurate. It's crucial to have an experienced accident attorney by your side, guiding you through these potentially problematic interactions. Protecting Your Rights [...]

The Importance of Maintaining a Post-Accident Journal: A Key to Personal Injury Claim
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The Importance of Maintaining a Post-Accident Journal: A Key to Personal Injury Claim

Car Accident, Personal Injury

The Importance of Maintaining a Post-Accident Journal: A Key to Personal Injury Claim

When you find yourself involved in a car accident, the whirlwind of events can leave you feeling disoriented, stressed, and overwhelmed. Amid this chaos, remembering every detail about the incident can be challenging. At Tucker Law, we consistently advocate for a surprisingly simple yet incredibly effective tool to aid in the post-accident process – maintaining a personal injury journal. Why Keep a Post-Accident Journal? Keeping a journal after a car wreck can serve as an invaluable asset when it comes to your personal injury claim. It offers a way to document the accident, your injuries, the treatment you receive, and how the event impacts your daily life. This record can become critical evidence that supports your claim, helping to maximize the compensation you might receive. Documenting the Accident Immediately after an accident, your adrenaline is running high, and you may forget crucial details as time passes. By journaling, you can note down the specifics about the accident while they are still fresh in your mind. Include details like the time, location, weather conditions, traffic patterns, and any other relevant factors that may have contributed to the accident. Chronicling Your Injuries and Medical Treatment In the aftermath of a car wreck, you may experience a wide range of injuries, some of which might not manifest immediately. Tracking your injuries, medical appointments, medications, treatments, and how you feel each day can provide a detailed picture of your recovery journey. This information is essential as it helps establish the correlation between the accident and your injuries. Recording the Impact on Your Daily Life Accidents don't just cause physical injuries; they can affect your overall quality of life. By writing down how your injuries have impacted your daily activities, [...]