Truck Accident in Florida
Florida truck accident cases are extremely complex and require a detailed review of each case. An experienced attorney not only has to consider the circumstances of the tractor trailer crash but also has to know what Florida laws need to be used to handle the case. Typically, not only the driver is involved in the trucking organization but also commercial entities, authorities, and others. They are also responsible if Florida semitruck accidents occur. If you are involved in a truck accident or if you are the victim, it is important that you seek help from Florida truck accident attorneys at the right time so that you can properly handle your claim and receive compensation from your insurers and others.
Florida Truck Accident Attorneys
Choosing good and trusted truck accident attorneys is an important and at the same time personal decision for the person involved in the accident. You need to find a lawyer who understands the details of the accident, is involved in determining the culpability of each person involved in the truck accident case, and can help you develop the right course of action. When you choose our Florida truck accident lawyers for your case, you get the maximum benefits and the chance to win.
So how can you choose a good truck accident lawyer? To do so, pay attention to the following professional abilities of the attorney:
- Whether the lawyer you’ve chosen has experience representing victims of truck accidents (particularly in Florida).
- Whether the semitruck crash attorneys you choose are ideal negotiators with all the parties involved in the truck crash.
- Whether your chosen attorney has the free time to go into detail about the circumstances of the accident involving a semitruck, tractor trailer, or other type of commercial vehicle.
- Whether your chosen semitruck crash attorneys know how contingency fee algorithms are applied in practice.
- Whether the law firm has the necessary resources to handle a comprehensive truck accident case study in Florida.
Our company is committed to ensuring that each of our trucking accident attorneys meets the above points. When you choose our Florida truck accident lawyers, you can be sure of a fair trial and fair compensation for you. You can take your first free consultation to be sure.
Common Causes of Trucking Accidents
The Traffic Chronicle tells us about how Florida truck accidents happen. Trucks are complicated and require a great deal of care on the part of the driver. Police classify the causes of truck accident cases as follows:
- A “Folding Knife” Type of Accident: If we look at the tractor trailer, the 18-wheeler has an extra semitruck. While the machine is moving, the clutch can fail unexpectedly. This causes the trailer to sway and there is a chance of it locking perpendicular to the machine. As a result, a shape called a “folding knife” forms that in turn leads to a collision with other vehicles and, as a consequence, car drivers and passengers can be injured.
- Unmanaged Tractor Trailer: For some reason, the driver is unable to stop the vehicle (including commercial vehicles). This in turn sets a dangerous precedent, as the machine is uncontrolled. The consequences of a tractor-trailer crash will depend on what the initial speed of the Florida truck was. The higher the speed, the harder it is to stop the machine and the higher the probability of an accident with severe consequences.
- The Overturning of the Truck: Based on its physical data, the semitruck has a high center of gravity. When driving at high speeds on curves and at intersections, the Florida truck can easily roll over. This can lead to a collision with the oncoming traffic. Also, strong wind, sudden maneuvers, and other things can be causes of a rollover.
- A Rear-End Collision Between a Truck and a Passenger Car: The rear view is known to be a problematic area of a vehicle (including commercial vehicles). The operator of the car cannot always see who is driving behind him. This especially concerns cars. Often, there were recorded situations when Florida truck accidents happened because of the sudden braking of the truck that resulted in the passenger car being pulled under the wheels of this tractor-trailer.
- Tipping Over Cargo: Florida semitruck accidents have been recorded that are not related to the technical condition of the vehicle or the roadway. Some accidents are caused by a driver who has not secured the load, sometimes resulting in tragic consequences for other road users.
Analyzing Florida semitruck accidents, traffic police note that the most common causes that lead to Florida truck damage are the following situations:
- Distracted Driving: The operator of the semitruck is distracted by talking on a cell phone, texting, etc.
- Driver Fatigue: Most often, the situation is recorded when the driver is behind the wheel more than the prescribed time, which causes fatigue, and thus he is not able to manage the vehicle objectively.
- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Drugs: Driving done by an operator whose blood alcohol concentration is BAC 0.08% is found to be potentially dangerous. In some cases, a driver’s BAC concentration of 0.04% will be dangerous.
- Exceeding the Speed Limit: An operator’s failure to comply with traffic rules, as well as ignoring the warning signs, can lead to a truck crash.
- Aggressive Driving: The driver is in a hurry to get home, ignores traffic rules, and breaks the speed limit.
- Improper Load Securing: This sign has nothing to do with the technical condition of the machine or the quality of the road surface. However, machine operators sometimes do not properly secure the load, which causes potentially dangerous tractor-trailer crash situations.
Each situation is handled in detail, and the involvement of experienced trucking accident attorneys will help not only to reconstruct the accident scene but also to obtain fair compensation and damages.
Victims' Fault: Comparative & Contributory Negligence
Under the laws of most states in the United States, the person who was negligent in causing the accident (including Florida truck accidents) has to pay for the cost of the car accident. But sometimes it happens that two or more road users are at fault in a car accident. In this case, the rule of comparative negligence applies. Florida truck accident lawyers can help you calculate fault correctly.
As an example, if you were in a car accident and you expect to be paid $120,000 in damages, you may be entitled to a total compensation of $120,000. The claimant’s expertise showed that you were at fault 25% of the time. That means your total compensation will be reduced by 25% to $90,000. However, if your fault is more than 50%, your compensation will be zero.
Both pure and comparative negligence can apply in the state of Florida. The system of calculations is quite complicated; our truck accident lawyers can help you figure it out.
Truck Accident FAQ
Professional lawyers can responsibly say that Florida truck accidents are very complicated because you need to consider a number of factors and know the nuances of state law. Get answers to common questions from an experienced truck accident attorney.
What Should I Do If I'm Involved in a Truck Accident?
The first step is to call 911 to report the circumstances of the accident. If help is needed for victims, tell the hotline operator. Wait for the police officer to arrive, get the details of the people involved in the accident, and contact a truck accident lawyer for an initial consultation, free of charge, about your next steps.
How Do Truck Accidents Differ From Car Accidents?
Truck accidents of this type have severe consequences for all involved. In addition, not only is eyewitness testimony considered in determining culpability but the data of the owner of the trucking company is also examined. A company investigation is conducted and company records are reviewed so that the degree of fault can be determined for the commercial entity that hired the driver as well. If necessary, you can always get help from our lawyers who will gather the necessary evidence for your case.
What Are My Legal Rights if I Am a Truck Driver Hurt in a Crash or on the Job?
If you were involved in an accident as a hired driver, the case will take into account what insurance documents are on the vehicle and what you personally have. The commercial organization that hired you must have an additional insurance policy required by state law. After the accident, you must provide the traffic police officer with all of your employer’s information. This is necessary so that claims can be filed later. If you are confused about what to do in an accident if you were at work, contact our semitruck crash attorneys for instructions on what to do next.
How Do I File a Lawsuit for a Truck Accident?
Before you file a lawsuit, you need to gather the necessary evidence about the incident. In some cases, you will need to request an examination to determine the degree of culpability of each party. There are certain time limits that must be met when filing a lawsuit in court. Contact our truck crash attorneys who will prepare the necessary documents to file your claim in court.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Crash Lawsuit?
You have exactly four years to file your claim in court. The statute of limitations must be strictly adhered to or you risk ending up with nothing. We recommend that you do not delay in filing a lawsuit, because after a certain period of time, the relevance of the expert evaluation is lost. For example, twelve months after the accident the expertise passes the data into the archive and in some cases requires additional expert appraisal on the accident. Also, don’t forget that you have fourteen days from the time of the accident to see a doctor. If you have any additional questions about the timeline for filing a claim, contact our Florida truck accident attorneys for clarification.
How Much Is My Truck Accident Case Worth?
The cost of the case will depend on the compensation awarded by the court. For exact information on how much your case will cost, we recommend contacting a truck accident lawyer, who will tell you how your case will be calculated.
How Long Will it Take to Settle a Truck Accident Case?
Practice shows that if you handle your own case, you may not always get fair compensation. There have been cases where the injured party claimed compensation, for example, of $50,000 but with the help of truck crash attorneys were able to recover up to $1 million. It all depends on the circumstances of the case, and our lawyer will carefully examine the case and advise you on further actions.
Get a Free Consultation
Our support team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and an experienced attorney will give you a free initial consultation about your case. Contact us in the way that is convenient for you and get help from the technical support of the law firm.
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