If you are a driver in North Port, then you will likely have seen discarded objects left along the roadside. Usually, this debris has been purposefully thrown from cars as a means of discarding unwanted waste. However, it is also possible that these items have accidentally fallen from a truck due to faulty restraints or the truck being overfilled. If a truck is moving at high speed when an object falls from it, the damage can cause serious destruction. If you have experienced a car accident due to loose objects on the roads of North Port, then you may be able to receive compensation.
A personal injury attorney will be able to help determine who is at fault for your accident. There are several possible parties that can be liable in this type of case, like the trucking company, the driver, or the local authorities in charge of maintaining the road. It is vital to ensure that you are represented by an experienced North Port car accident lawyer who has the ability to take on large corporations.
At The Law Place, our team has over 75 years of combined experience that we have gained through winning cases like yours. We always work closely with the client to ensure that you are informed every step of the way. Our free consultation service will allow you to ask all the questions you need before making any decisions.
So contact us today at (941) 444-4444. Phone lines are open 24/7.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident in North Port?
It is important to know what steps you need to take following a car accident. The decisions you make can be imperative to the success of your case. We advise that you:
- Phone 911 – You should always call the emergency services immediately after an accident, but especially if someone has suffered injuries. In fact, Florida Statute 316.062 stipulates that the police must be called if any physical harm or property damage has been suffered.
- Collect evidence – The evidence that you collect at the scene of the accident will greatly help your case later. Taking photographs of the scene is imperative. Record any loose objects at the scene, as well as any damage that has been suffered to both property and persons. The contact and vehicle information of all other drivers involved, as well as any witnesses, are especially important.
- Seek medical attention – It is extremely important to see a doctor as soon as possible. You may not feel that you have suffered any injuries, but after the initial shock wears off, you might find that you are in a lot of pain. Florida Statute 627.736 only allows you 14 days following the accident to get medical attention. You must see a doctor within this time period so that you can later claim compensation for the treatment you receive and the injuries you have suffered.
- Speak to a Lawyer – Contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. You will need help collecting evidence whilst it still exists. The crash site will be cleared shortly after the accident, so time is of the essence. Furthermore, any CCTV footage will need to be obtained by your lawyer. At The Law Place, we will help you act quickly so that your case is as strong as possible.
- Contact Your Insurance Company – Many companies require you to inform them of any accidents very quickly after they occur. Whilst it may seem easy enough to speak to them yourself, we highly recommend that you always have a lawyer speak on your behalf. Insurance companies are profit-driven and only have their own interests in mind. Oftentimes they will use the information you have provided against you so that they can save money. Avoid disclosing any details about the injuries sustained in the accident in order to protect yourself.
Who Is Responsible for My Car Accident?
Depending on the circumstances, several parties may be responsible for your car accident. Florida law uses a comparative fault system as mandated under Florida Statute 768.81. This system means that more than one party can be held liable for your accident.
Comparative negligence lends itself to the fact that accidents happen under many different circumstances. From a faulty vehicle to an overpacked truck, there can be many people responsible for the suffering you have faced. Those liable can range anywhere from the driver themself to the trucking company they work for. It may have even been the fault of the mechanic who installed a faulty car part or the responsibility of the local authority. Failing to clear loose objects from the side of the road in an acceptable period of time can lead to serious accidents for which the local authority is responsible. Determining liability is one the most important parts of your claim.
However, it is also important to note that comparative liability means you may be found partly responsible for your accident. Liability is determined through percentages, so if you are found to be 20% responsible because you were breaking the speed limit, then your compensation would be decreased by this percentage. You are still able to claim compensation if you are found to be less than 50% liable for your accident. At The Law Place, a personal injury attorney will help you get the compensation you deserve.
Trucking Companies
In North Port, there are often trucks on the road whose companies have allowed them to travel despite failing to meet standard requirements. There is a limit on how heavy the load can be on a truck, plus the trucking companies must have permits that ensure their trucks are only on the roads during quieter periods of the day. This is to lower the risk of accidents.
Another requirement set out by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is that companies must provide sufficient training for all members of staff. Unfortunately, this is also often ignored, increasing the risk of human error.
Malpractice is common because it allows companies to make or save more money. Overloading a truck is only done so that the company can increase its profits. This is why they must be held accountable for their negligence. Making sure that companies know they will be held responsible is the best way to ensure that they follow the safety guidelines.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident that was caused by a loose object, then we can help you get the compensation you deserve. Our injury lawyers have the experience you will need to take on a large insurance company. We highly recommend that you seek legal representation so you do not have to face this fight alone.
Defective Parts
If a vehicle has a defective part, then this can also cause a car accident. When there is a problem with the mechanics or production of a vehicle, it can lead to parts coming loose on the road.
When this happens, there could be many parties who are responsible for the damages caused; the mechanic, the manufacturer, or the driver, if they have not maintained their vehicle properly.
Your personal injury lawyer would be able to help you file a product liability lawsuit if it was the manufacturer’s negligence that caused your car accident.
Government and Private Roads
You may be able to prove that your car accident was due to the negligence of the local authority or government. In North Port and throughout Florida, local authorities have the responsibility to ensure that they keep the roads free from debris. If they had a reasonable amount of time to clear this debris and failed to, your personal injury case could include them as a liable party.
North Port Personal Injury Damages
When you hire an accident lawyer, part of their job is to determine the cost of your suffering through a case evaluation. Most victims of car accidents usually experience the same damages for which they need to seek compensation. Here are some common damages:
- Loss of income – When you experience injuries in a car accident, this will likely lead to you taking time off from your job. Lost earning potential can also be included in the calculation so that any future losses are covered. One example of a reason for lost income includes the time off required to receive ongoing treatment.
- Medical bills – Unfortunately, the health care system ensures that medical bills add up very quickly. When seeking compensation, you will have the opportunity to claim both past and future medical bills. Also included is the cost of transportation required to travel to and from appointments.
- Property damage – The chances are that your vehicle will need to be repaired after your car accident. These costs can be recovered, as well as the cost of any other damaged property, e.g., your cell phone.
- Pain and suffering – This is the compensation that you can seek if you have experienced any mental or physical suffering due to an auto accident. Emotional suffering can be difficult to demonstrate in a case, so it is imperative that you have a Florida personal injury lawyer on your side.
- Wrongful death – In a worst-case scenario, you may have experienced the loss of a loved one in an accident. Florida Statute 768.21 stipulates that the family of the deceased has the power to claim back funeral expenses as well as loss of consortium.
Why Acting Quickly Following a Car Accident Is Important
In order to file a strong personal injury claim, it is imperative that you seek the representation of an experienced law firm immediately. Collecting evidence shortly after the accident can change the course of your case. Any CCTV footage can be deleted, the scene of the accident cleaned, and damage repaired.
In the event that your accident was caused by a loose object falling from a truck, then your car accident lawyer has some extra evidence to obtain. They will look for training and maintenance records, as well as the data from the black box that all trucks are required to carry. The faster you act, the less time the trucking company has to manipulate the evidence they have.
Despite this, if you are not in the position to act immediately, it does not mean you cannot fight for compensation later. Contact The Law Place today.
Contact The Law Place Today
At The Law Place, our team of Nort Port personal injury lawyers has the experience you will need to take on a large insurance company. If you or a loved one has experienced pain and suffering after an auto accident, then you may be entitled to compensation.
Our goal is to ensure that large corporations are held responsible for their negligence and to make it clear that profit is never more important than safety. You can help us by allowing us to represent you in making them pay for their actions.
Schedule a free case evaluation where one of our team will give you the advice you need to make sure you are properly informed of the legal process. You won’t pay a cent unless we win your case, making it easier for you to get justice. Our lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. So call us today for a free case evaluation at (941) 444-4444.
