Truck accidents are some of the most devastating accidents possible on the open roads of America today. Clients often come to use suffering from huge medical bills, lifestyle complicating injuries, and psychological trauma due to a truck accident. Furthermore, trucking companies are often aware of the danger they pose on the road in Sarasota but continue their dangerous practices regardless.
Securing legal representation should be the first thing on everyone’s minds following truck accidents. You deserve to seek compensation for any injuries or damages you have received. However, the complexities of Florida injury law and the process of aggressive insurance companies can make this difficult without the help of an experienced lawyer.
Luckily for you, the lawyer team at The Law Place has years of experience dealing with truck accidents and personal injury cases. Our phone lines are open 24/7 for a free consultation with an accident lawyer.
The number to call for counsel by a Sarasota truck accident lawyer from The Law Place is (941) 444-4444.
Why Is Involvement in a Truck Accident So Much More Dangerous Than a Car Accident?
The open roads are a place of risk for everyone driving a motor vehicle. However, those involved in an accident involving a truck or trailer truck are at the highest risk of a catastrophic life-altering injury.
This is because of the sheer number of trucks, as well as other factors such as the possibility of the truck’s cargo spilling out onto the road. The size of trucks also makes it more likely that multiple vehicles will be involved in the accident, increasing the risk and quantity of devastation.
There are also differences in mechanics that can lead to more severe accidents. Trailer trucks are huge vehicles that may have their whole back end detached in the event of an accident. This is often large enough to crush a regular car if it tips over.
Furthermore, the claims process can often be more complicated when dealing with a trucking company, as they are likely to have a dedicated team of lawyers with experience fighting truck accident claims in the past.
If you have been lucky enough to survive a catastrophic accident involving a truck, get in touch for a free consultation. We will explain your legal options and advise you on the best way to move forward. The lawyers responsible for truck accidents at our firm are trained to be both legally ruthless as well as open and compassionate, so they will be able to talk you through the process of turning your trauma into compensation.
Common Examples of Personal Injury Resulting From Truck Accidents in Sarasota, FL.
On the roads of America, a car accident is a dangerous enough event to be a victim of.
However, as soon as we begin to consider the sheer scale and bulk of many commercial cargo trucks, the scale of damage a victim is likely to receive greatly increases.
The following is a list of personal injury examples often seen by our truck accident lawyers:
- Injuries to the spinal cord – Any injury to the back or neck is especially serious due to the increased risk of lifelong mobility impairment or even paralysis.
- Superficial wounds – Cuts, burns, bruises, abrasions, and lacerations caused by glass, metal, debris, or fuel.
- Head injuries – These are especially dangerous as the victim may then be stuck with lifelong cognitive disabilities that impact their emotional or intellectual capacity.
- Broken bones or fractured bones – These can range in severity for the victim, some may take months to heal completely, but some may result in lifelong mobility issues.
- Disfigurement and scarring – Even an injury that does not directly threaten life can lead to a complete change of life experience. Scarring and disfigurement can completely change the way a person is perceived, even if they are not directly life-threatening.
- Amputation or dismemberment – Due to the weights involved in semi-truck and truck accidents, there is a serious risk of an injury that can sever a limb or otherwise cause a permanent disability.
- Internal bleeding or organ damage – These are especially dangerous as the victim may not immediately realize the potentially life-threatening extent of their injuries.
If you or a loved one has experienced one or more of these examples of injury, you should contact The Law Place for a free consultation as soon as possible.
Victims of these types of injuries are more than likely to be entitled to a level of compensation that will scale with the severity of their injuries and damages.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day. Non-Physical Injury From a Truck Accident in Sarasota, Florida
Obviously, the consequences for those who have experienced truck accident injury will not all be purely physical. It is often the case that victims are left with extensive psychological damage and trauma after truck accidents. This, too, can be claimed for.
Common psychological complications suffered by those who have experienced truck accident injuries include:
- PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or other types of recurrent and debilitating trauma.
- Flashbacks or persistent vivid memories of the time they experienced truck accident injury.
- General anxiety or depression. This may be related to the crash itself or the consequences of the injury they received.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Sleep disorders such as insomnia, recurrent nightmare flashbacks, or night terrors.
- Inability to function in necessary day-to-day situations involving proximity to motor vehicles or roads.
Many of these things can be just as debilitating, if not more so, than physical injury. Often the two categories come together when someone has experienced truck accident trauma.
All of these things are more than likely to qualify you for compensation if you were involved in a truck or semi-truck accident. To find out more, call our office today for a free consultation.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Sarasota, Florida
Our truck accident lawyers have seen many examples of different ways that someone can become involved in a truck accident.
The following is a list of the most common causes:
- Distracted driving, which could include using a mobile phone while driving, eating whilst driving, being wrapped up in conversation, or any other forms of distraction.
- Reckless driving, such as erratic turning or speeding.
- The risks associated with truck driver fatigue. This will be covered in more detail later.
- Driver intoxication, either due to alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two.
- Negligent truck, semi-truck, or equipment maintenance.
- Improper loading of cargo into or onto the truck, such as exceeding the weight limit or improper fastening of securing straps or buckles.
There are also many other situations that can lead to truck accidents that would not be the fault of the cargo truck driver or company, such as:
- Adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow, or fog, reducing visibility or steering precision.
- Animals running into the road.
- Poorly maintained roads.
- Chain-reaction collisions caused by other car drivers.
- A combination of any of the above situations.
If you have received a personal injury in any of the above situations or some other not listed, your case is likely to deserve compensation. Contact our law firm office today for a free consultation to find out more about how we could help you.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers. What Is Liability and How Does It Work in Sarasota, Florida?
Liability is the legal term used to describe the level of fault possessed by someone in a personal injury legal case. If someone is liable for your injury, that means that they are at least partially to blame for the injury they inflicted and, as such, are responsible.
Someone is liable for an injury when they violate their duty of care. Duty of care is violated in Sarasota, FL. when someone causes harm that can be described as foreseeable.
This can fall into many categories. For example, a truck driver who is speeding is violating their duty of care to others who are sharing the road with them. In the case of poorly maintained vehicles, the trucking company may be liable for the truck driver, depending on whether the truck driver neglected their duty to perform routine checks and maintenance on their vehicle.
If someone fails to uphold their duty of care, they are said to be negligent. Generally speaking, negligence represents a lack of reasonable care.
If you have suffered a personal injury case because of somebody else’s negligence, or a violated duty of care, it is highly likely that you are entitled to compensation for any injuries or damages you may have received.
If this is the case, contact The Law Place today for a free consultation. Trucking accidents are something our team of truck accident attorneys is highly experienced with, and we can help you to achieve the maximum amount of compensation for your case.
Who Can Be Sued in a Truck Accident Case?
Who Can Be Sued in a Truck Accident Case?
After a truck accident, there are two potential parties that you could sue. In most cases, you will seek compensation from the company responsible for hiring and training the driver. In some cases, you might look to sue the driver personally. Your attorney will be able to advise you on the best course of action.
Can I Sue Someone Personally After A Truck Accident?
Can I Sue Someone Personally After a Truck Accident?
This will depend on the circumstances of the accident. If the driver was violating trucking regulations or acting in a dangerous and malicious manner, you might be able to sue them directly.
What Should I do at The Scene of a Truck Accident?
What Should I do at The Scene of a Truck Accident?
- Stop — Stay at the scene of the crash. If you are uninjured, then move away from the flow of traffic.
- Check For Injuries — If you or anyone else is injured, then call an ambulance.
- Call The Police — You are legally obliged to call the police to the scene if there are injuries or substantial property damage, according to Florida Statute 316.062. A report from the police will also benefit your claim.
- Exchange Information — Share information with the other driver(s), including names, addresses, phone numbers, and vehicle registration numbers.
- Eyewitnesses — Collect the information of any eyewitnesses to the accident.
- Call Your Insurance Company — You must call your insurance company as soon as possible. Remember not to give away too much information, as they can and will use anything against you in an attempt to reduce the amount of money that they will payout.
- Collect Evidence — Gather as much evidence as possible. Take pictures of the damaged vehicles, the road conditions, any injuries, and more.
- Seek Medical Attention — You must seek medical attention after a crash, even if you think that you did not suffer any injuries. It is possible for some injuries not to show until later, but you should get checked over anyway. A medical report will also benefit your claim.
- Keep A Journal — Write down the extent of your pain and document your recovery process in a journal. You should also keep a note of any expenses as a result of the accident.
What Can I Do to Protect My Rights After a Truck Accident?
What Can I Do to Protect My Rights After a Truck Accident?
The best way that you can protect your rights following any type of accident is to get in touch with a reputable law firm at your earliest convenience. They will be able to guide you and warn you from saying or doing anything that might impact your chances of a successful claim.
They will also advise you on what steps to take at the scene. This could prove massively important if the case heads to court at a later date.
How Truck Accidents Are Different Than Car Accidents
How Truck Accidents Are Different Than Car Accidents
With most commercial vehicles being many times larger than a car, they can cause a lot more damage during an accident. You will also have to deal with the commercial trucking company in charge of the driver.
Is the Truck Driver or Trucking Company Responsible in a Truck Accident?
Is the Truck Driver or Trucking Company Responsible in a Truck Accident?
This will depend on the actions that led to the accident. If the truck crashed due to poor training, poor maintenance, or overworking, then the trucking company will usually be to blame. In rare occasions where the driver acted maliciously and dangerously, they may be responsible.
Types of Truck Accidents
We have seen a wide range of different truck accidents here at The Law Place. Such as:
- Head-On and Rear-End Collisions.
- Jackknife Accidents.
- Blind Spot Accidents.
- Roll-Over Accidents.
- Underride Accidents.
- Tire Blowouts.
How Negligence Is Established in a Truck Accident
How Negligence Is Established in a Truck Accident
Assigning negligence in a truck accident case will usually require the investigators to answer the following questions:
- Did the trucker have a duty to be careful and reasonable?
- Did the trucker breach that duty?
- Did that breach of duty cause the accident?
- Are there injuries or monetary losses?
What Lawyer Deals with Truck Accidents?
What Lawyer Deals with Truck Accidents?
If you have been injured due to an accident that wasn’t your fault, then the case will be dealt with by a personal injury lawyer like those found here, at The Law Place. We have dedicated Truck Accident Lawyers on hand to help you through every stage of the process.
Should I Hire A Truck Accident Lawyer For A Minor Accident?
Should I Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer for a Minor Accident?
No matter how big or small the accident may seem, it is always within your best interests to consult with a lawyer. If you have injuries that lie hidden or damages you are not aware of, you may lose out if you do not get in touch as soon as possible after the incident.
When Should you get a Lawyer for a Truck accident?
When Should You Get a Lawyer for a Truck Accident?
The sooner you get in touch with a lawyer, the better your chances of winning your case, as it allows your attorney more time to investigate and build a case.
What Is The Average Settlement For A Truck Accident?
What Is the Average Settlement for a Truck Accident?
When it comes to truck accidents, it is hard to give an average settlement figure due to their nature. Some truck accident settlements have reached the millions, whereas the most common figure seems to be around $100,000-300,000.
Is It Worth Hiring A Truck Accident Lawyer?
Is It Worth Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer?
Whilst you do have the option to seek compensation on your own, statistics show that you have a much higher chance of winning your case if you seek the help of an experienced Truck Accident Lawyer. They also show that compensation is usually, on average, double that of those who seek compensation alone.
What does a Truck Accident Lawyer Do?
What Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Do?
An experienced truck accident lawyer will have a huge precedent and wealth of practical knowledge to draw upon when proving negligence and liability in a truck accident case. Here at The Law Place, our personal injury attorneys will scrutinize the details of your accident case to determine liability.
The good news for a truck accident victim is that truck drivers in the U.S. today are subject to a high level of scrutiny by personal injury attorneys. This is because of the number of truck accident cases that occur every day.
The usual plan of action for determining liability in a Sarasota truck accident is to look at several factors. This begins with the actions of the truck driver at the time of the auto accident. Was the truck driver speeding? Were they under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident?
Your personal injury lawyer will then look at the driver’s history. Were they involved in a truck accident in the past? Do they have a history of driving offenses?
Why Is It Easier to Prove Liability in a Florida Truck Accident Than a Regular Car Accident?
There are several reasons why there is a difference in the ease of proving liability in these two types of auto accidents.
The most important of these reasons is that if you were involved in a truck accident, the truck is more than likely to be equipped with a black box.
Much like the black boxes found in airplanes, the black box in a truck will record data on the way the motor vehicle was being driven. It records the general speed of the truck, the breaking patterns the truck driver has been employing, and other integral details, such as whether there were warning lights being displayed within the motor vehicle.
This black box can also be used to determine the force of the collision that caused your injuries. This can give your personal injury attorney an invaluable tool for proving the severity of your injuries.
Your truck accident lawyer will do everything in their power to obtain this device, and they more than likely to be successful as most commercial motor vehicles over a certain weight limit carry them.
How Does Liability Work in Terms of Truck Drivers Versus Trucking Companies in Florida?
It goes without saying that not all truck accident cases are the fault of the truck driver. Often, truck drivers are overworked and underpaid individuals that only put themselves and others in danger to reach unattainable productivity targets. As such, you may feel discouraged in pursuing your compensation as you do not want to endanger somebody else’s livelihood.
Luckily, with respect to trucking accidents, the driver may be liable, the trucking company may be liable, or perhaps both parties.
If the trucking company was employing a motor vehicle that was unsafe for use, they might be found to be liable for any truck accidents that occur as a result. Similarly, if they were pushing their truck driver to illegal productivity goals and encouraging reckless or sleep-deprived driving, they may also be found to be at fault.
In some cases, the driver themselves can also make a claim against their trucking company.
In some truck accident cases, both truck drivers and trucking companies may be found to be at fault. A good example of this would be when trucking companies hire people with a track record of driving infractions. If that driver then goes on to drive recklessly or while intoxicated, both parties can be seen to be at fault.
What Are Some Common Dangers Caused by Negligent Trucking Companies in Sarasota, FL?
As mentioned above, trucking companies are often the ones to blame in truck accident cases. This is usually because in the U.S. today, they represent huge corporations that may be based miles away from Sarasota, Florida.
They are often motivated by profit over people and, as such, risk the lives of both drivers and regular people on the road who become potential victims of their greed.
The following sections will outline the way in which these cargo companies can often turn both their drivers and innocent drivers into victims.
Sleep Deprivation as a Common Cause of Sarasota Truck Accidents
Truck accident lawyers see a huge number of cases where a victim receives a personal injury due to a truck driver falling asleep behind the wheel of their vehicle.
This is because many truck drivers are only paid by the mile, which de-incentivizes sleep. They may cut corners in terms of break times and sleeping schedules to maximize the amount of money they earn and minimize the amount of time they have to spend on the road.
The way that trucking companies incentivize this kind of fatigued driving contributes to exhaustion. Even if a truck driver does not explicitly fall asleep at the wheel, it may damage their focus and cause them to pay less attention to their driving. Additionally, it may encourage the use of stimulant drugs to stay awake and focused, causing an uptick in the amount of truck accident-related personal injury cases caused by intoxicated driving.
If you are a victim that experienced a truck accident of this description, call our law firm today for a free consultation. We can help to make the U.S. a safer place for both truck drivers and civilian drivers.
Other Risks Associated With the Unethical Work Practices of Cargo Companies in Sarasota and Beyond
There are many other ways that this immoral and unethical employment ethic can greatly increase the risk of a truck accident, car accident, or personal injury case.
Outside of encouraging sleep deprivation, cargo companies can cause severe injuries in many other ways. A driver paid only by the mile is encouraged to rush through lengthy processes like loading cargo. This can lead to unsecured loads, which can come dislodged from the truck and cause injury or even death.
Similarly, it encourages a rushed approach to truck inspections. Many people involved in a truck accident are victims of this type of negligence. Mechanical or maintenance faults create many personal injury victims in Sarasota, Florida, every year.
There are many other ways this payment model can increase the risk of accidents for cargo companies. Truck drivers may rush route planning or other necessary risk-reducing waiting periods.
Further Examples of Cargo Company Negligence Experienced in Sarasota, FL.
We have already covered the associated risks of sleep deprivation often encountered by a truck accident attorney.
However, the potential negligence of a cargo company does not stop there, as other corners may be cut by the cargo company. Their drivers may be improperly trained or certified. If a driver is improperly trained, this greatly increases the risk to any other driver on the road in Sarasota, Florida.
A truck or semi-truck is a much harder vehicle to drive safely than a car. Additionally, truck accidents are often much more devastating than car accidents. As such, a high level of training for truck or semi-truck drivers should be common sense. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
When you combine this with the tendency of many cargo companies to hire drivers with a history of reckless driving or without performing the necessary background checks at all, you can begin to see why so many people are victims of severe injuries from truck accidents.
How Your Truck Accident Personal Injury Case Can Contribute to a Safer Sarasota, FL.
By utilizing a Sarasota truck accident lawyer, you not only stand to receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages, but you also contribute to making the roads of Sarasota, Florida, safer for all.
By holding trucking companies accountable for their unethical work practices with your truck accident lawyer, you are helping to protect the people that you share the roads with. If safer work practices are implemented after a stream of lawsuits, the roads become safer for everyone.
Holding these companies accountable also makes life safer for truck drivers. If we can create a standard of ethical work practices, the chance of these drivers becoming involved in a truck accident due to fatigue or rushed procedures will drop with it.
Contact a Sarasota truck accident lawyer from our law firm today for a free consultation and reap the benefits of personal injury compensatory justice while also making the roads a safer place for everyone.
What Different Damages Can a Truck Accident Attorney Win for Me in Sarasota, Florida?
There is a large range of different damages your truck accidents attorneys can help you to fight for.
Your lawyer will help you to identify which of the categories discussed in the sections below will apply to your truck accident case. The categories are not mutually exclusive, and your truck accident lawyer will fight for you to receive the maximum amount of compensation from each category that applies to you.
Specific information on which damages apply to your specific case is just a phone call away, thanks to our policy of providing prospective clients with a no-obligation free consultation.
Claiming for Property Damage Following a Truck Accident in Sarasota, Florida
We will begin with what is likely to be the least severe of your potential damages – property damage.
While these damages do not impose a direct threat on your life, they do represent the destruction of your material wealth, and therefore, should be treated seriously.
Common examples of property damage caused by a truck or semi-truck accident include the vehicle of the victim and any possible valuables they may have been carrying as cargo at the time.
Your lawyer can help fight to get compensation for any property damage as a result of your accident involving a truck or semi-truck.
Claiming for Medical Bills Following a Truck Accident in Sarasota, Florida
If you have received any injury that required medical attention as a result of the negligence of a truck driver or trucking company, your lawyer can help you to gain compensation to cover this.
In Sarasota, Florida, as with the rest of the United States, medical bills are not something to be taken lightly. Even with comprehensive insurance, the added financial burden can quickly add up.
This is especially true for low-income clients or clients who are facing a combination of damages, such as replacing items lost to property damage or even being overwhelmed in costs of the funerary expenses associated with losing a loved one.
Furthermore, medical expenses can quickly get out of control when in conjunction with the lost wages associated with time spent off work recovering from an injury.
You should retain all documentation and bills associated with your medical care in order to make your medical expense claim as strong as is possible.
Claiming for Lost Wages Following a Truck Accident in Sarasota, Florida
If you are an accident victim who was forced to spend time off work recovering, you may have been unable to earn your usual working wage. This can quickly build up alongside medical expenses to place you in a position of financial insecurity.
Luckily, your lawyer can help you to reclaim compensation for this if a truck driver or trucking company was liable for the injury that put you out of action.
Like with medical bills, any lawyer would advise you to retain all correspondence with your employer concerning time spent off work recovering. This will make it easier for your attorneys to achieve compensation for your lost wages.
What Damages Can I Collect For a Truck Accident?
What Damages Can I Collect For a Truck Accident?
Pain and suffering is a specific category of damages that your truck accident injury attorney can help you to claim for.
While the name may sound vague, it actually refers to a specific set of circumstances regarding your recovery process from any injuries you may have incurred and any complications you may have experienced as a result of your accident
How Is the Level of Pain and Suffering Compensation Calculated Following Truck Accidents in Sarasota, Florida?
Pain and suffering take into consideration all the aspects of trauma that the truck accident victim experienced, both from the actual accident itself and as a result of the recovery process.
All of our clients will have a free consultation with our lawyers as a first step. This will be used to discuss things such as the length of the recovery process and the pain level involved in the recovery process. These will be used to calculate the amount of pain and suffering compensation owed to our clients.
Further considerations will be made for any permanent changes to the lives of our clients. For example, if you now suffer from mobility impairment, brain injury, or any kind of scarring or disfigurement, this will be involved in the pain and suffering calculation.
The same is true of the various levels of emotional distress that can be inflicted on our clients due to a truck or semi-truck accident. If you have post-traumatic stress disorder, trouble sleeping, or anxiety that you did not have before the truck accident, this will increase your compensatory amount.
To find out the amount of pain and suffering compensation you may be able to recover, get in touch with our experienced Florida truck accident attorneys today. We will be able to arrange a free consultation and free case evaluation as soon as you call.
Claiming for Wrongful Death Following a Truck Accident in Sarasota, Florida
Due to the weight carried by trucks and their cargo, especially when additional risks such as trailer trucks are considered, loss of life is an unfortunately high risk when it comes to accidents involving trucks.
If you have lost a loved one due to the fault of a truck driver or trucking company, we know that no amount of money can ease the pain or bring back your loved one. But sometimes, there is no other option but to pursue compensation, as funeral and burial expenses can combine with the lost source of income to drive a family into poverty.
As a rule, wrongful death claims can be made for a period of up to two years after the accident in question. The rules for this statute of limitations are contained in Florida Statute 95.11.
What Elements Are Taken into Consideration in a Wrongful Death Claim in Sarasota, Florida?
Our law firm knows that thinking of money after the loss of a loved one is something that nobody wants to do. Unfortunately, our clients often find themselves confronted not only by a period of unexpected mourning but also by several financial challenges that can complicate this process. This is why wrongful death claims are so useful. Your personal injury attorney can help you recover the costs involved in this drastic change to your life.
As we already discussed briefly above, wrongful death claims will go towards covering the burial and funerary expenses of the loved one you lost in a truck, semi-truck, or car accident. Often these total expenses surprise those who are unfamiliar with loss.
Additionally, if the loved one you lost in a truck accident was a major contributor to the household income, for example, a spouse, the wrongful death compensation will also take their lost income into consideration. This is known as loss of consortium. This can be a huge help, as most modern households live within the means of all their earners. Your lawyers can help you to ease this adjustment period.
There are other options that your lawyers can help you to seek compensation for. If the lost loved one was a parent, your lawyers could help you to gain compensation for your children based on the parenting time that was taken away from them.
Similarly, if the deceased was your spouse, your attorneys can help you to seek compensation for loss of emotional comfort and companionship.
Claiming for wrongful death can seem like a hugely intimidating and insurmountable obstacle. You may not want to confront the monetary aspect of loss head-on. However, the lawyers from our law firm can do all of the hard work for you, giving you more time to focus on the process of mourning.
If you have any questions about this or would like to set up a free consultation and free case evaluation, call our office today. Our personal injury attorneys are not only trained to be relentless in the pursuit of justice, but we also ensure all of our staff practice the kindness and compassion that you will need following a fatal truck accident.
How Long do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident?
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident?
You may or may not be aware of something known as the statute of limitations. What this term describes is the period of time in which you are eligible to make a legal claim for compensation regarding the injuries you received in an accident.
The statute of limitations for a truck accident in Sarasota, as with the rest of Florida, is a period of four years. This time period begins from the exact date that your accident occurred.
Unfortunately, once this period of time has elapsed, you are no longer eligible to make any kind of claim in relation to your accident. The compensation you would have been owed will be lost forever.
As such, it is important that you do not waste time claiming for your truck accident. Call our Sarasota personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation and to begin the legal process of seeking the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.
Why Else Is It Important to Contact a Sarasota Law Firm as Quickly as Possible Following a Truck Accident?
While the statute of limitations for truck accidents in Sarasota is four years, there are several other reasons why you should make a call to secure attorneys as soon as possible after the accident.
The first of these reasons concern the collection of evidence related to your truck or car accident. In order to prove the extent of your damages and the required compensation that you are owed to your insurance company, your attorney will need evidence.
Evidence may take the form of eyewitness testimonials, skid marks on the road at the scene of the accident, damage to roadside signs or other vehicles, etc. With the passage of time, this firm potential evidence becomes harder to gather. Other drivers who witnessed the accident may become uncontactable. Tire skid marks may be cleaned off the road at the scene of the accident. Damaged signage may be replaced.
All of this leaves your attorneys less likely to be able to secure you the kind of compensatory figure that you deserve.
There are other reasons why it is so important to contact attorneys as quickly as possible, which will be covered in the next section.
Will My Truck Accident Lawyer Deal With The Insurance Companies For Me?
Will My Truck Accident Lawyer Deal with the Insurance Companies for Me?
If you have been involved in a car accident, you are legally obliged to inform your insurance company within a designed timeframe. This timeframe is usually 24 hours. However, some insurance companies may have a different specified period.
Unfortunately, your insurance company is not on your side. It is in their interest to pay you out as little as possible in compensation for your truck accident. They may employ underhanded tricks to catch you out and devalue your claim. They are also likely to have their own dedicated team of experienced lawyers and claims adjusters in the field, ready to get to work on your case immediately.
As such, it is massively beneficial to hire your own attorney to deal with the insurance companies.
The more time the lawyers from our law firm have to collect evidence and build a solid case for you, the better, especially as other parties will likely not be delaying. This is especially true when dealing with large cargo truck companies who are more than likely to be extremely familiar with negligence and injury-related claims against them.
Call our Sarasota office today to get started. We will begin with a free consultation to discuss the details of your specific truck accident case.
Other Ways That Sarasota Insurance Companies May Attempt to Devalue Your Claim
As we have already mentioned, you are obliged to contact your insurance company soon after your truck accident. We would highly advise speaking to lawyers before doing this, if possible.
One reason is that insurance companies will often try to take advantage of your shaken state. They will encourage you to divulge unnecessary information regarding your accident and injuries on a recorded phone call. They may also try to tempt you into a quick settlement for an amount lower than the compensation you could be owed.
As such, whether you contact an attorney or not, only give the bare minimum of the required information to your insurance company. Furthermore, remember that any figure offered to you as a settlement by your insurance company likely represents a figure less than what your claim would be worth in the hands of experienced truck accident lawyers.
To protect yourself from the tricks of insurance companies, call our Sarasota law firm today for a free consultation and no-obligation impartial advice.
What Is the Process Followed by Our Law Firm for Truck Accident Injury Clients?
Each of our clients comes to us with a different story. No two truck accident claims are exactly the same. However, the general process for dealing with claims related to these accidents will generally be the following.
Firstly, a free consultation and free case evaluation will be conducted following your initial phone call. These meetings give our clients a chance to make inquiries, have all their questions answered, give them a full understanding of their situation, and know what they could be entitled to for their injuries. It also gives us a chance to hear the intricacies of your situation and to plan a legal roadmap for your claim.
The collection of evidence related to your accident and the injuries you received is the next step. Your truck accident attorneys will seek out firm evidence from the scene of the accident, as well as eyewitness accounts that verify your story. Your lawyer will have access to dedicated teams of personal investigators and car crash recreation experts to fill in any blanks. We will also compile evidence, such as photographs and medical bill documentation supplied by you. We will cover which evidence you should begin collecting in the next section.
Once your lawyer has personalized the most persuasive and air-tight case possible on your behalf, the next step will depend on how severe the truck accident you were involved in was.
In cases where the damages and injuries you received were not incredibly severe, your lawyer may suggest negotiating a settlement with your insurance company. They will use the evidence they compiled as leverage to painstakingly negotiate you the highest settlement possible under the circumstances.
However, in some cases, it will be preferable for your lawyer to take your case through the civil court system. Your lawyer will then fight to convince the jury at trial that you are owed the highest level of compensation appropriate to your case. Many of the truck accident lawyers employed in our team are AVVO 10.0 rated.
How Can I Help to Collect the Evidence Necessary for My Truck Accident Attorney?
As we discussed above, our truck accident lawyers are highly experienced in evidence collection and have access to investigations and recreation teams. However, there is evidence unavailable to our truck accident lawyers that you can help to collect along the way.
The collection of this evidence will take you a minimal amount of time and can greatly increase the chances of achieving a high level of compensation. A full list of the evidence you can collect to assist your truck accident lawyers is explained below.
What to Do After a Truck Accident?
What to Do After a Truck Accident?
One of the most useful pieces of evidence in the arsenal of a truck accident lawyer is the photograph. Luckily, most of our prospective clients carry the ability to create this evidence in their pocket, thanks to everyday, modern technology. Your mobile phone allows you the ability to capture several useful pieces of evidence.
First, as soon after the accident, as you are able, you should photograph the scene. This includes multiple angles taken of the vehicle you were driving, the other vehicles involved in the crash, every registration plate available to you, and any damage to the road surface or surrounding scenery.
Obviously, if you or someone else is grievously injured in the truck accident, this should be your priority over photographs. In this situation, you should return to the scene of the truck accident as soon as it is safe to do so to take the photographs.
Another thing you should remember to photograph as soon after the truck accident as is safely possible is your injuries. You should take a photograph of them after any kind of medical treatment. Further photographs should be taken at each significant stage of the recovery process. This will help your truck accident lawyer to prove both their severity and the timeframe in which the recovery process took place.
What Should I do in the Days Following a Truck Accident?
What Should I Do in the Days Following a Truck Accident?
The days following a truck accident can be stressful, but you need to ensure that you pay attention to retaining any evidence you can. Truck accidents lead to the accumulation of paperwork for most of our clients. This could take the form of medical bills or correspondence with your place of employment concerning the time you have spent off work recovering for the purposes of proving lost wages.
As such, you should ensure that you retain a copy of any such documentation to give to your truck accident lawyer. Remember, insurance companies will use any absence of hard proof as an opportunity to lower your compensatory settlement. Don’t let them do this to you. Arm your truck accident lawyer with as much indisputable proof as possible.
Acquiring Contact Details for the Use of Your Truck Accident Lawyer
As previously stated, your truck accident lawyer will have access to personal investigators. However, the process will be simpler, more straightforward, and free of complications if you can get the details of everyone around you at the scene of your truck accident.
The information you should record, at a bare minimum, from each person who was either involved in or witnessed the truck accident is as follows:
- Their full name.
- Their contact telephone number.
- The registration plate number of their vehicle.
How Much Will it Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
One thing that prevents many people from claiming the compensation they are owed following a truck accident is concerns about the scent the cost of the legal process.
The financial strain involved in truck accidents, from medical bills to lost income due to time off work recovering, can lead to many people feeling financially precarious.
Luckily, every personal injury case taken on by our attorneys works on a contingency basis. This means that all fees will only be taken from your final compensatory settlement. This also means that in the event that you do not win your case, the whole process will cost you nothing at all.
All of our contingency work is under strict and ongoing observation by the State Bar Association. This means that you can rest assured that no false promises are being issued, and you will not find yourself surprised by any hidden fees or extra costs.
Unlike many other law firms, transparency and trust are at the heart of our claims process. We believe that accident victims should never have their legal options limited by their financial situation. Justice and compensation are available to everyone hiring a lawyer from The Law Place. To get started today and hear all of your legal options, call a lawyer from our firm for a free consultation.
How Much Should you Settle for After a Truck Accident?
How Much Should You Settle for After a Truck Accident?
This will be a matter of discussion for you and your attorney. They will be able to advise you and will help you make the decision. They may tell you to hold out for a bigger settlement, or they may advise you to take it. Ultimately the decision comes down to you.
How Long Does A Truck Accident Claim Take To Settle?
How Long Does a Truck Accident Claim Take to Settle?
Truck accident claims often take longer than a car accident or other personal injury cases. This is due to the fact that trucks are commercial, which adds another layer of complexity to the case. The specific time frame will depend on how clear-cut the case is and how hard-ball the other parties play.
Do You Have To Go To Court For A Truck Accident?
Do You Have to Go to Court for a Truck Accident?
In the majority of truck accident cases, the settlement will happen outside of court. If the other party disputes your claims or offers a settlement you are not happy with, you may have to take your case to trial, allowing a judge to examine the evidence.
How do I Find a Good Truck Accident Lawyer?
How Do I Find a Good Truck Accident Lawyer?
Whilst, in our opinion, we are the best injury lawyers around, we understand that you will want to do your research.
Our advice is to ask all potential lawyers for examples of similar cases they have won and for recommendations from their clients. Any law firm that will not answer these questions is a firm to be avoided.
Find a lawyer that you feel comfortable with, as you may have to deal with them for a prolonged period of time.
Contact The Law Place Today
If you are one of the thousands of Florida citizens involved in a truck accident in the last four years, a lawyer from our firm can help you to receive the maximum compensation for any injuries or damages you received.
It all starts with a free consultation. A lawyer from our team will discuss all of your options in an open and honest manner after you explain to them the details of your situation. The attorney-client confidentiality agreement will be in place for the whole call, so you don’t need to worry about devaluing your claim by divulging key information. Additionally, a no-obligation agreement will be in place for any information you receive, so you can feel free to explore other legal options at your discretion.
If you would like to join the ranks of thousands of other satisfied clients, let an experienced lawyer from The Law Place take charge of your case.
Place a call to our office at (941) 444-4444 today!
