If you or a loved one were involved in a truck accident that caused personal injury, pain and suffering, or property damage, then you are going to need a truck accident lawyer who has experience handling truck accident cases in the State of Florida.
The size and weight of trucks have the potential to cause much more serious injuries in an accident compared to a car crash. Passenger cars, motorcyclists, and pedestrians are the ones who are most likely to get hurt in a deadly truck accident. In this case, they will be entitled to file a claim to recover compensation for losses caused by the crash. However, in order to do this, you will need to seek legal representation as soon as possible.
The Law Place has represented hundreds of clients that have been involved in truck accidents for the past seventy-five years in the State of Florida. Our law firm has the necessary knowledge and experience to handle your case and win the compensation that you deserve. Our team of truck accident lawyers has the skill to take on difficult cases that other lawyers cannot, and we will put our experience to work in your truck accident case.
Call our office today to set up a free case evaluation, in which a truck accident lawyer will talk you through the legal process and answer all of your questions. Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Contact us now on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation, and we will fight your truck accident case together in the State of Florida.
Truck Accident Cases in Florida
If you wish to find out whether you are entitled to compensation following a collision with a large commercial truck or a semi-truck accident, then get in contact with a truck accident lawyer from The Law Place today. You will need to tell them all of the details of the accident, the injuries you suffered, and any other problems that may have developed in the aftermath. Our law firm abides by the attorney-client relationship privilege, which means that every conversation between you and your lawyer will always be kept confidential.
You have the legal rights to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party, regardless of where the truck crash occurred in the State of Florida. However, one of the biggest complications in a truck accident case is determining who is liable for the crash. In some cases, there could be multiple parties to blame for the accident and the injuries you sustained.
Nonetheless, all truck accident cases can cause disastrous injuries and consequences. You might find the legal process to be complicated at first, but that is why you must seek legal counsel from a truck accident lawyer at The Law Place as soon as possible. Our team of truck accident lawyers is skilled at dealing with trucking companies and insurance companies in the State of Florida.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a commercial truck or semi-truck accident, then you should discuss your legal rights and available options with a truck accident lawyer immediately.
How to Find the Right Truck Accident Lawyer in Florida
It is important that you ask the right questions when you are looking to hire a truck accident lawyer to represent you in the State of Florida. You will need a truck accident attorney that you feel comfortable around and who understands the complexities of your case. They will also need to be good at investigating and determining all liable parties for the accident.
Consider the following:
- Does the attorney have experience in representing truck accident victims?
- Does the attorney have the necessary experience in negotiating, as well as litigating?
- Does the attorney have the time to manage your truck accident case?
- Does the attorney work on a contingency fee basis?
- Is the attorney responsive to you and your needs?
- Does the law firm in question have the knowledge and resources to take on a complex trucking accident case?
It can be a challenging process to find the right truck accident lawyer to handle your case, especially when you feel under pressure and you are suffering from personal injuries. Ideally, you will want to choose a law firm with a good reputation that has the necessary experience in dealing with truck accidents. It is important that you have a trusting and comfortable relationship with your truck accident lawyer, so look for the following key aspects when you are seeking legal representation.
Reputation
The reputation of a law firm is very important to consider when you are looking to find out the success rate of a truck accident lawyer and how they will handle a truck accident case. It is worth seeking referrals from a friend, co-worker, or other people that have been in a similar position to you and have worked with a truck accident lawyer in the State of Florida.
If you find a truck accident lawyer that has succeeded in personal injury claims and they have good feedback from past clients, then they most likely have the respect of other truck accident lawyers in the community. It is always best to work with a lawyer that has the respect of their community, especially in a small city or town, as every lawyer and judge will know each other’s reputation.
However, if you cannot find any referrals from people that you know, then ask a potential lawyer for references from their former clients. It is also worth searching the internet for reviews, articles, and other information that will inform you of positive experiences with the law firm that you are looking into.
Experience
If you search on the internet for the website of a law firm, then you will most likely find a short biography of their team of truck accident injury lawyers. Information will include where they studied, how many years that they have been practicing law, and they will possibly list a few notable cases that they have won.
Remember not to be afraid to ask questions when you are seeking legal representation from a truck accident lawyer. You can ask how many similar cases to yours they have handled in the past, as well as if they won or settled the cases.
Resources
A law firm will usually have a team of professionals that help to establish liability in a truck accident case. They will rely on an accident reconstruction professional, traffic engineers, medical professionals, and many others who will help to develop your case.
You might want to inquire about how many times they have worked with these professionals and how much experience they have when it comes to dealing with truck accident cases.
Negotiation Abilities
Negotiation is one of the most important aspects of a personal injury claim. A truck accident lawyer will have to gather facts and evidence, use strategies, and build a strong argument on why you deserve compensation and the specific amount.
Every state in the United States of America has different laws when it comes to compensation. In some states, you might not be eligible to receive compensation if you are found to be even partially at fault for an accident.
In addition, a trucking company will attempt to blame you and make you responsible for the accident – even if you were not. The good news is that your truck accident lawyer will reduce the amount of responsibility for your accident as much as possible.
Comfort
It is immensely important that you feel comfortable sharing personal issues with your truck accident lawyer, as they will need to know exactly how your injuries are affecting your day to day life and activities. For instance, if you are suffering from depression or other health concerns, then you must not hold back in sharing every detail with your lawyer. If the accident has had a huge impact on your life, you might be able to receive more in compensation.
Your truck accident lawyer can only help you if you let them be of service. This means that you have to be open and share all of the ways that you have been affected by the truck accident. If you feel that your lawyer is not listening with compassion or they are not showing care for your case, then you might need a different lawyer. You deserve only the best representation for your truck accident case.
Payment
It is common for many personal injury claims to work on a contingency fee, which means that you will not have to pay your lawyer until you have reached a successful resolution for your truck accident case. The truck accident lawyer will earn a percentage of your settlement or verdict award once the case has been won.
However, if your case is unsuccessful, then you will not have to pay any legal fees. If a truck accident lawyer agrees to take on your case, then this is a good sign that they think your claim will most likely be won. A contingency fee is always a risk for a truck accident lawyer if the case is unsuccessful, as they will not get paid.
You should always be wary of additional fees in any agreement. If your case ends up going to trial, some lawyers might raise their contingency fee, and other lawyers might charge you for certain expenses. It is important that you get your fee arrangement in writing and always be prepared to negotiate for a lesser fee agreement.
Dedication
A professional truck accident lawyer must be willing to give your case the attention that it deserves. To find out which lawyer is the best for you, ask yourself these questions:
- How responsive was the law firm when you first sent them an email or called their office?
- How fast were you able to schedule an appointment with the truck accident lawyer?
- Did the truck accident lawyer respond to you on the same day?
- Was your phone call responded to by an assistant, secretary, or directly by the truck accident lawyer?
- Did the truck accident lawyer give you their full attention, or were they distracted when you went to meet them?
At The Law Place, we understand that there are many things to consider when you are involved in a truck accident in the State of Florida. Our law firm wants to make the process easier for you by handling the case so that you can take the time that you need to recover from your injuries and get back on your feet.
We can offer you a free case evaluation today, in which a truck accident attorney will discuss the details of your case and answer all of your questions. Our team of truck accident attorneys will explore all of your available legal options and advise you on the best moves to make in your current situation.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day. Common Types of Truck Accidents in Florida
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported that, in 2018, large commercial vehicles were involved in close to 480,000 crashes across the United States of America. Out of these accidents, 97,000 caused serious injury, and 3,838 resulted in fatalities. Every truck accident case is different, and the severity of the injuries and damage will ultimately depend on the type of truck crash and how it occurred.
Here are some of the most common types of truck accidents:
- Jackknife – An 18-wheeler truck has a tractor-trailer that is attached by a device called a coupling. In the event that a coupling fails or the trailer gets thrown off balance, then the trailer can swing out to the tractor in the shape of a folding jackknife. This can be highly dangerous as a jackknifing trailer can cause a collision with other road users in the adjoining lane.
- Runaway truck – In the event that a trucker driver loses control of the truck, it can barrel down the highway and hit anything in its path due to the weight of the truck. This usually happens when a truck is moving downhill, but it can happen under any type of circumstance.
- Rollover – In the event that a truck driver is traveling too fast around turns or curves, it can cause a semi-trailer to tip over. A truck can also rollover by driving too fast in strong wind currents and in other sudden driving maneuvers. A truck that rolls over can crash into other road users and cause traffic blockages on the road, which can lead to a chain reaction of accidents.
- Override – In the event that a large commercial truck crashes into the rear end of the vehicle in front of them, it can cause a catastrophe. A truck driver might even drive onto the back of the vehicle ahead.
- Underride – If a smaller vehicle crashes into the back of a large commercial truck, this can result in an underride. The front of a smaller vehicle can get wedged underneath the truck, which can kill the driver in the front seat.
- Cargo spills – If cargo falls out of the trailer of a truck, it can spill onto other vehicles or into the road where other cars can crash into them.
At The Law Place, we understand how serious a truck accident can be. We want to make sure that the truck driver and the trucking company are held liable for your injuries and other losses. Our law firm will determine your legal rights and examine the cause of your accident with diligence.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Florida
Every truck driver must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in the State of Florida. In addition, they are usually required to have at least two years of driving experience before they are allowed to operate a large tractor-trailer, a semi-truck, or a big rig throughout the trucking industry.
It is important for every truck driver to have the necessary experience and training to operate a large commercial vehicle. A tractor-trailer and other large trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average car tends to weigh between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds. A large truck will have a much longer stopping distance, bigger blind spots, and they are inclined to roll over due to their weight and size.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Speeding.
- Distracted driving.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI/DWI).
- Tailgating.
- Driving while fatigued.
- Illegal driving maneuvers.
- Violations of traffic laws.
- Aggressive driving.
- Inadequate training.
- Inadequate maintenance of the truck.
- Hiring unqualified drivers.
- Inadequate management of truck drivers.
- Improper securing or loading of cargo.
- Unbalanced loads.
A truck accident lawyer will help to determine what caused the truck crash, and they will prove who was negligent by collecting evidence and building a strong case. In the event that a truck driver makes a mistake, breaks the rules of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), or violates any traffic laws, then a truck accident attorney from The Law Place will help you to pursue compensation for all of your injuries and other damages caused by the truck driver’s negligence behind the wheel.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers. Injuries Caused in a Truck Accident in Florida
Injuries sustained in a car or motorcycle accident can be serious, while injuries sustained in a truck accident can be even more severe due to the weight and size of a truck. Some injuries could be minor, such as bruises, scrapes, and sprains, while other injuries could be catastrophic and life-altering.
Here are some of the most common injuries caused by truck accidents:
- Burns to the face and body.
- Broken bones and fractures.
- Back and neck injuries, including herniated discs.
- Knee and shoulder injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Nerve damage in the hands, arms, and legs.
- Permanent scars or disfigurement.
- Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions and brain damage.
- Death.
Physical pain is not the only trauma caused by truck collisions. There is also emotional trauma, which can be very damaging. This includes mental anguish, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and depression after a crash.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim After a Truck Accident in Florida?
Florida Statue 95.11 lays out the law for the statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations requires you to file a personal injury claim against the liable party within four years from the date of the truck accident in the State of Florida.
However, if you lost a loved one in a tragic truck crash, then you will only have up to two years from the date of their passing to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the liable party.
If you fail to file a personal injury claim or a wrongful death lawsuit within the specified time limit, then the court will most likely dismiss your case.
What Compensation Can I Get After a Truck Accident in Florida?
If you decide to file a personal injury claim against the party that is liable for your truck accident, and you reach a settlement agreement with them, then you will receive compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. This includes:
- Medical bills – Any past, present, and future medical expenses, which include hospitalization, surgery, prescription medication, physical therapy, long-term health care, and transportation to and from the hospital.
- Lost wages – Any past, present, and future lost wages as a result of a disability or a permanent condition that prevents you from returning to work.
- Pain and suffering – Any past, present, and future pain and suffering following a truck crash, which includes mental anguish, loss of quality of life, and more.
- Loss of consortium – Your spouse or surviving family member can claim for loss of consortium if you are killed in a truck accident.
- Wrongful death – You can claim for wrongful death if your spouse or a loved one is killed in a truck accident, according to Florida Statute 768.21.
Who Might Be Financially Liable for My Losses After a Truck Accident in Florida?
A truck accident is often a complicated case to resolve, as there might be multiple parties involved who can face full or partial liability for the damages incurred as a result. Your truck accident attorney will work day and night to determine which party is liable for the crash.
Here are the main parties that might be responsible for causing your truck accident:
- Truck driver – A negligent or careless truck driver that has inadequate training, drinks and drives, uses drugs, texts and drives, speeds, or violates other traffic laws can be held responsible in the event that a truck crash occurs.
- Trucking company – If the trucking company fails to hire qualified drivers, provides inadequate training for their drivers, fails to properly maintain their trucks, or encourages truck drivers to violate trucking regulations in order to get their jobs done, then they can be held responsible in the event that a truck crash occurs.
- Another road user – A road user who breaks traffic laws, cuts off, or rides in the blind spots of a large commercial vehicle can be held responsible if a truck crash occurs.
- Truck manufacturer – The manufacturer of a defective truck or a defective truck part, such as the braking system or tires, can be held responsible if a truck crash occurs.
How Can a Truck Accident Attorney Help in Florida?
In the event you are involved in a large commercial vehicle accident in the State of Florida, you will need a truck accident attorney with experience to act quickly on your behalf to:
- Conduct an investigation into your accident.
- Determine who is liable for the crash.
- Collect and preserve evidence that can be used in your case.
- Speak to eyewitnesses and gather statements for your case.
- Examine reports by the police department and insurance companies.
- Review camera footage and photographs of the scene of the accident.
- Analyze photographs of the damaged vehicles to determine the extent of the damage caused.
- Review medical reports.
- Build a strong case and file a personal injury claim.
A trucking company will usually hire lawyers quickly after an accident, and they will have them on the scene to conduct an investigation as soon as possible. You must do the same, as you will need a truck accident attorney on your side to preserve all the important pieces of evidence for your case.
Contact The Law Place Today
If you suffered a truck accident injury in the State of Florida, then you will need to seek qualified representation for your case in order to recover the compensation that you are owed. We believe that no one should stand alone after suffering injuries in an accident that was not their fault, and we want to help you achieve justice for your case.
At The Law Place, we have been representing truck accident victims all over the State of Florida for the past seventy-five years. Our law firm understands the devastating consequences of truck accidents and the lasting impact that they can have on people and their families. We have a team of truck accident attorneys that have the necessary skills to negotiate with insurance companies and deal with the related paperwork to ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve.
If you choose to put your faith in us, then we will work hard to recover compensation for all of your injuries, pain and suffering, property damage, medical bills, and other damages. We will help you to understand your rights and guide you through the legal system in the State of Florida.
Call The Law Place today – phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Contact us now on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation, and we will fight your truck accident case together in the State of Florida.
