When they violate these rules, you can sustain severe injuries that require extensive aftercare. If you or a loved one were hit by a commercial truck, our lawyers at Viles & Beckman are here to help you get compensation for your injuries. We’ll assess your injuries and damages and fight for you and your compensation.
The Severe Injuries You May Sustain After a Truck Accident
The impact of a trucking accident can cause severe and even fatal injuries. Some of the most common injuries that commercial truck accident victims sustain are:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries that can lead to paralysis
- Injuries to the neck and back
- Broken or fractured bones
- Nerve damage in various areas of the body
- Varying degrees of burns
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Wrongful death
If you do not see your injury above, there’s no need to worry. The majority of injuries that truck accident victims sustain qualify for a case. Our Florida truck accident lawyers offer a free case review where we’ll verify that your injuries qualify for compensation.
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What Damages Can I Recover After a Commercial Truck Accident?
The moments after a truck accident, you may be in shock. But one of the most common questions that come to victims’ minds is, “How am I going to pay for this?” This should be the last thing on your mind because your health comes first. We’ll handle the financial aspect while you focus on recovering.
By working with one of our Florida commercial truck accident lawyers, you may be able to recover:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Physical therapy
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Wrongful death damages
Our attorneys dedicate themselves to getting you the maximum settlement. This includes identifying all the damages you are eligible for. We investigate and review relevant documents to the crash to find viable evidence that grants you rights to the damages trucking companies may not want you to discover.
How Long do I Have to File a Commercial Truck Accident Claim?
From the day of the truck accident, Florida law states that you have four years to file a claim against the negligent party. We recommend that you file a claim as soon as possible to increase your chances of getting the largest settlement.
Florida’s statute of limitations may vary depending on the details of your case. As a result, you may have more or less time to file. The only way to know how much time you have to file a claim is by meeting with one of our Florida commercial truck accident attorneys.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death in Florida?
If you lost someone to a trucking accident, we are sorry for your loss, and we are here to help. Florida’s wrongful death statute under Fla. Stat. § 95.11 gives you two years to file a claim from the day of your loved one’s death.
We understand that carrying out legal action can be difficult during a time of grief. Our lawyers are here to help you in any way we can. We can make sure you file within the time you have so that you can get the compensation and justice you deserve.
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Who Can Be at Fault for Commercial Truck Accidents?
After a commercial truck accident, you need to know who carries the blame for the accident so that you can file a claim against the negligent party. A personal injury claim can help provide funds that cover your medical expenses and your lost time at work after the accident, which means you need to make sure you file it against the right party or parties.
Who bears the responsibility for a commercial truck accident? To some extent, it depends on what factors contributed to the accident. Talking with a lawyer can help you better establish who is responsible for the accident, some parties that could be at fault include:
The Truck Driver
Ultimately, the truck driver bears responsibility for the choices they make on the road, including all aspects of their driving behavior. A truck driver who drinks and drives or drives under the influence of drugs makes it difficult to safely navigate the road.This includes over-the-counter or prescription medications.
The driver is responsible for any damage or injuries their decision to drive under the influence causes. Distraction or inattention can also increase the risk of an accident.
The Trucking Company
In some cases, the trucking company may be negligent in a trucking accident. Some commercial trucking companies have unrealistic expectations of their drivers. They may, for example, require the driver to falsify records to indicate that the driver did not exceed the hours of service regulations of the 11-hours they are legally allowed to drive each day.
Trucking companies may also ask truck drivers to continue driving in unsafe conditions.
The trucking company may also continue to employ a driver known to cause accidents on a regular basis. In cases like these, the trucking company may share responsibility for the accident.
The Mechanic Who Last Worked on the Truck
After every trip, most drivers have a mechanic fully examine their vehicle and identify the cause of any problems they experienced during the drive. Mechanics may also inspect the vehicle to check for any unidentified problems, including engine or other mechanical failures that could contribute to an accident.
When a trucking company or truck owner fails to address issues identified by a mechanic that then lead to the accident, the trucking company is liable for accidents the issues caused. On the other hand, if the mechanic ignores or fails to identify potential issues they could reasonably notice or performs inadequate maintenance, the mechanic may bear liability for the accident.
The Manufacturer of the Truck or Parts
Manufacturers often put out large quantities of parts, including tires. In some cases, faulty parts may slip through the inspection process and make it onto vehicles and the road.
In other cases, manufacturers may put out trucks or parts with known defects that ultimately lead to accidents. When the manufacturer allows parts with known issues to remain on the market, the manufacturer may bear or share liability for any accidents that occur due to those defects.
The Company That Loaded the Truck
Improperly secured cargo can cause hazards for big trucks, their drivers, and other drivers on the road with them. Shifting cargo can fall out of the back of the truck, often before the driver recognizes a problem.
In other cases, shifting cargo can lead to rollover accidents, increase the truck’s force in a rear-end collision, or cause a jackknife accident. If shifting cargo causes or contributes to an accident, the company that loaded that cargo may share responsibility for the accident.
Contact a Commercial Truck Accident Attorney in Florida
Our lawyers at Viles & Beckman care about you, and we’re ready to get you the settlement you deserve. Commercial trucks are one of the most dangerous vehicles to be in an accident with. Their weight can cause immense damage, but we’re here to help.
If you or someone you loved was hit by a commercial truck in Florida, our commercial truck accidents attorneys can help you recover financially so that you can afford to recover from your injuries. Call us or fill out the form on our contact page to schedule a free case review.
Call or text (239) 334-3933 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form