I’m David Carter from Carter Injury Law, and if you are reading this, chances are you just went through a crash that has thrown your life off balance. I’ve seen how quickly one moment of distraction or one miscalculation behind the wheel can turn into medical bills, insurance calls, and a lot of questions you do not know how to answer.
Most people think they just need to call the police and exchange information, but there is more at stake than that. Every choice you make after a crash can affect your recovery, your rights, and the compensation you may be entitled to.
In the next few minutes I am going to walk you through what I tell everyone who calls me after a delivery truck accident in Florida. Step by step we will cover what to do first, what to document, and how to protect yourself. But before we get to all of that, there is one thing almost everyone misses at the scene that can change the outcome of your case completely.
(1) The Details That Tell the Truth
The very first thing I tell anyone who calls me after a delivery truck accident is to take care of yourself. You might be focused on the chaos around you, but if you are hurt, you cannot save the day or even get through the next few hours without help.
Call 911 if there are injuries or significant damage, and do not ignore even minor aches or soreness. Some injuries, like whiplash, do not show up immediately, but they can haunt you for months if untreated.
I always recommend going to a doctor. Florida law requires prompt medical attention to qualify for Personal Injury Protection benefits. It might feel inconvenient, but getting checked ensures you and your claim are protected. I have had clients shrug off a doctor visit only to face bigger problems later.
Safety also includes the scene itself. If possible, move to a safe spot and avoid putting yourself in danger from traffic or other hazards. It may not feel glamorous like a TV rescue scene, but staying safe is the real hero move here.
Next, I want to tell you why documenting everything at the scene is more important than most people realize and how it can change the course of your case.
(2) The Report That Becomes Your Backbone
After you have made sure you and anyone else are safe, the next step is to document everything. I tell my clients what you see, what you touch, and what you record at the moment can be the difference between winning a case and struggling to prove your story later.
Start with photos. Take clear shots of the vehicles, the damage, the road, traffic signs, and even skid marks. Think of it like capturing a scene for a movie. Every detail matters, and later no one will remember exactly what they saw.
Get the contact information of the driver and the delivery company. Jot down names, phone numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance details. If there are witnesses, ask them to describe what they saw and collect their contact info. In court or during negotiations, these statements can be invaluable.
Keep a written record for yourself as well. Note the time, the weather, what the traffic was like, and any unusual circumstances. Small details that seem unimportant now often become crucial when insurance adjusters or lawyers review the case.
The evidence you collect here sets the foundation for everything that comes next, including protecting your rights and making sure you are fully compensated for what happened.
(3) Report the Accident to the Right Parties
Once the scene is documented, the next step is to make sure the accident is reported correctly. How and when you report can affect your case, your insurance, and even your health claim. Call the police if they did not come to the scene. Florida law requires that accidents involving injuries or significant property damage be reported.
When the officer files the report, it creates an official record of what happened, which can be critical if there is any dispute later. Ask for a copy of that report. It includes the time, location, and the details recorded by law enforcement, all of which will help build your case.
Next, notify your insurance company. Provide the facts of what happened without guessing or admitting fault. Insurance adjusters will use every word to determine liability, so keep it factual and concise. Make a note of the claim number and the contact person handling your case.
Reporting correctly does not end the process, but it lays the groundwork for protecting your rights and establishing a timeline of events.
The step after this is the one I see most people overlook, and it is where having a lawyer early can change everything.
(4) The Call That Changes Everything
This is the step that often changes everything. I have met many clients who waited too long to reach out, thinking they could handle things on their own. By the time they called, evidence had disappeared, witnesses had moved, and the insurance companies had already shaped the story to fit their version.
Delivery truck accidents are not simple fender benders. There can be multiple parties involved, the driver, the delivery company, and sometimes even a third-party contractor or vehicle manufacturer. Each one has its own insurance policy, its own lawyer, and its own way of avoiding responsibility. My job is to untie that web and make sure the focus stays on you, your injuries, and what you deserve.
When you contact me early, I can start protecting your claim from the first day. That means preserving evidence, collecting surveillance footage before it gets erased, and dealing with insurance companies so you don’t have to. You should be focusing on healing, not arguing over paperwork or calls.
Next, let’s talk about who can actually be held responsible for a delivery truck accident in Florida.
(5) Who Can Be Held Responsible
When I take on a delivery truck accident case in Florida, I never stop at the surface. Most people think it is always the driver’s fault, but that is rarely the whole truth. Every crash has layers, and once you start peeling them back, you see how many hands were actually on the wheel that day.
Let’s start with the driver. If they were speeding, distracted, or too tired to be on the road, they carry a share of the blame. But I always look beyond that. Delivery companies are often the bigger problem. They push impossible schedules, skip safety checks, and hire drivers who barely meet the minimum qualifications. In my experience, companies like that create accidents long before the crash happens.
Then there are the contractors and maintenance crews. Some companies lease their trucks to third parties or cut corners on repairs to save money. A bad brake job or worn tire can turn a regular drive into a disaster. If that happens, I make sure those responsible are part of the case too.
Sometimes, the fault goes even higher. Defective parts or faulty designs can make a truck unsafe from the start. In those cases, I bring the manufacturer into the conversation.
Just a few months ago, a crash on Florida’s Turnpike made national news. A delivery truck blocked traffic during an illegal U-turn, and a family in a minivan didn’t stand a chance. It turned out the driver’s commercial license had issues in multiple states, and the company failed to check his record properly. That single mistake cost three lives and opened an investigation into how many others were driving under the same conditions.
That story stays with me. It is a reminder that no accident happens in isolation. It is a chain of bad decisions, ignored warnings, and overlooked responsibilities. My job is to trace that chain and hold every link accountable, no matter how far it goes.
(6) Let's Talk About What's Next
If you are here trying to figure out what comes next after a delivery truck accident in Florida, I want you to take a breath. You are not the only one feeling lost right now. These moments are heavy and unfair, and no one should have to go through them alone. That is why I started Carter Injury Law, to take some of that weight off your shoulders and help you find a way forward that actually feels fair.
When you call me, there is no pressure. There is no fee to start. We work on a contingency basis, which means you do not pay me anything unless we win. I take on the risk so you can focus on healing, on getting your strength back, on putting the pieces of your life where they belong.
You deserve someone who listens and someone who fights for you until the job is done. So reach out. Tell me what happened and what it has cost you.
