Boca Raton Truck Accident Lawyer

Across the roads of Boca Raton and beyond, large trucks play a critical role in transporting goods, moving over 72% of the nation’s freight in one recent year. While these commercial trucks are essential to the economy, their massive size and presence on our highways pose serious risks.

A truck accident involving you or a loved one can have life-altering consequences. In such challenging times, having an experienced truck accident attorney in Boca Raton and legal support is important. The truck accident lawyers at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia bring the experience, skills, and dedication needed to protect your rights and help you handle the road ahead.

United States Truck Crash Statistics

The risk of large truck accidents is on the rise, with the number of fatal injuries and accidents involving large trucks increasing by nearly 50% over the last ten years. Tragically, most of the victims of these fatalities are the occupants of smaller vehicles. Even non-fatal accidents can result in serious injuries and life-changing outcomes, and over 100,000 large trucks per year are involved in accidents that cause injuries.

Federal Trucking Regulations That Help Prevent Accidents

To mitigate the risks associated with hauling freight by large truck, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established a number of regulations that help keep all motorists safer.

Trucking Regulations – Hours of Service

One of the biggest safety hazards in trucking is driver fatigue, alongside distracted driving, which is especially prevalent when trucking companies push drivers to make better and better times. To combat this, the FMCSA has established limits on how many consecutive hours a driver can spend on the road, along with a weekly limit.

This limit to the hours of service is one of the most direct ways to reduce large truck accidents, improving driver alertness and awareness.

Trucking Regulations – Weight Limits

There is an economic incentive for trucks to haul as much cargo as they possibly can. However, this weight can overwhelm a truck’s brakes and make it dangerous to control. Heavier trucks tend to be involved in more and deadlier accidents and cause disproportionate wear and tear on the nation’s public highways.

Weigh stations on the highways are an example of these regulations at work. They require trucks to pass inspections and confirm they’re operating within safe weight limits.

Trucking Regulations – Drug Testing and Other Pre-Employment Screening

FMCSA regulations also require truck drivers to pass pre-employment screenings. Some truck drivers use drugs to stay awake on long hauls, and some studies have shown that nearly a fifth of truck accidents involve drug use. For that reason, regulations require professional truck drivers to pass drug screens before employment.

Other pre-employment screening, such as examining truckers’ safety records and criminal history–sometimes involving an official FMCSA metric called a Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) score also serves to keep truck drivers accountable for the large and dangerous vehicles they’re entrusted with.

Causes of Truck Accidents in Boca Raton

Understanding liability is key to a successful truck accident claim. It’s not always the driver at fault. Even if a truck driver is held at fault for an accident, other parties may also be liable for damages.

• The truck driver may be fatigued, distracted, under the influence, or otherwise exercising unsafe driving behavior and failing to follow safety regulations.
• Trucking companies sometimes fail to follow through on their safety responsibilities, such as proper pre-employment screening practices and vehicle maintenance. Consequently, the risk of a truck accident can increase. They also sometimes urge truckers to work dangerously long hours or drive overweight vehicles.
• In the case of a parts failure or other defect, the manufacturer of the truck or other equipment may be at fault for an accident.
• If the vehicle involved in the accident is a rental, the rental company may have contributed by failing to maintain their vehicles adequately.
• Improper loading or securing of cargo can lead to accidents. The loading company may be held responsible in such cases.

Truck Accidents Can Result in Severe Injuries

Boca Raton truck accidents often result in injuries similar to those of other motor vehicle accidents. However, large trucks’ sheer size and weight make truck accidents particularly dangerous, more so against cars. Common injuries in truck accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Severe injuries to the brain caused by a forceful impact. Traumatic brain injuries can result in long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges.
• Spinal cord injuries: Damage causing injuries to the spinal cord, which can result in partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and difficulty with bodily functions.
• Bone fractures: Breaks or cracks in bones, often requiring medical treatment, including casting, surgery, or physical therapy.
• Abrasions: Scrapes or scratches on the skin caused by friction, which can be painful but typically heal without long-term complications.
• Soft tissue damage: Injuries to muscles, ligaments, tendons, or other soft tissues, often causing pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
• Whiplash: A neck injury caused by sudden forceful movement of the head, resulting in pain, stiffness, and headaches.
• Burns: Tissue damage caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation, requiring medical treatment to prevent infection and promote healing.
• Crush injuries: Severe injuries caused by the compression of body parts, often resulting in damage to muscles, bones, and internal organs.

Understanding Truck Accident Liability

As mentioned above, there are many potential causes of a truck accident. In a truck crash lawsuit, the driver may not be the only liable party. Two core concepts to keep in mind:

• Multi-party liability: More than one party can be liable for a truck accident claim. If the driver works for a trucking company, for example, both the driver and the trucking company may be held liable.
• Third-party liability: A party that isn’t present for the accident itself may be held liable if they contributed to the accident. For example, the loading team or trucking company may be held liable if they misloaded the truck or encouraged other unsafe trucking practices.

At Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, we understand that these truck accident cases can be complex, with many parties potentially contributing to the damage. Our personal injury attorneys are up to the task of handling these unique situations and collecting damages from everyone responsible.

Types of Evidence Used to Build a Strong Truck Accident Case

Building a solid foundation of evidence is vital in a truck accident case. The more evidence gathered, the faster and smoother the process will be, with the greatest chance of receiving fair compensation. The team at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia will make full use of all available evidence in your truck accident lawsuit, such as:

• Police reports
• Medical records
• Eyewitness testimony
• Surveillance footage
• Dashcam footage
• Truck maintenance records
• Driver logbooks

The Role of Expert Witnesses in Truck Accident Lawsuits

Truck accidents are a heavily studied phenomenon in the United States, and there are many experienced professionals available to play the role of an expert witness in your case. This can be especially valuable if your case makes it to court. These expert witnesses can provide testimony about accident reconstruction, trucking industry practices, medical expertise, and more. Their testimony can be important for establishing liability and explaining the extent of the damages suffered by the victim.

Recovering Your Damages After an Accident

Victims of truck accidents are entitled to seek compensation for their damages. These accidents can result in some expensive medical bills and consequences, and compensation can be a important way to rebuild your life in the aftermath. The damages awarded can also serve as an acknowledgment of the victims and their suffering.

At Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, we are prepared to seek compensation for damages including:

• Medical expenses: Covers all costs associated with your medical care, including hospital bills, doctor’s fees, surgery costs, medication, rehabilitation, and therapy.
• Lost wages: Compensates you for income you are unable to earn due to your injuries, including lost work hours, bonuses, and commissions. It may also cover future lost earning capacity if your injuries permanently impact your ability to work.
• Property damage: Reimburses you for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle or other property damaged in the accident.
• Pain and suffering: Compensates you for the physical discomfort and emotional distress you experience due to your injuries.
• Punitive damages: An award intended to punish the trucking company or driver for egregious misconduct and deter similar behavior in the future. Courts do not award punitive damages in all cases, as there are specific legal requirements.
• And more: There may be other damages you can recover depending on the specific facts of your case. Consult with an Boca Raton truck accident attorney to understand what damages you may qualify to claim.

Factors Affecting Truck Accident Compensation

The amount of compensation you receive will depend on several factors, including:

• The severity of your injuries
• The extent of your medical treatment
• Your lost wages
• The strength of the evidence supporting your claim
• The insurance coverage of the responsible parties
• Applicable state laws

Your truck accident lawyer can help you quantify your losses and maximize compensation.

Contact an Experienced Boca Raton Truck Accident Lawyer. Contact Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, you want to focus on recovery and rebuilding your life. The legal complexities of a truck accident lawsuit can be overwhelming in an already difficult time.

Let the experienced Boca Raton truck accident lawyers at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia help. Our law firm knows the ins and outs of truck accident cases. Our lawyers will have your back every step of the way, doing everything we can to secure you the compensation you deserve. You can contact us online or call us at 561-320-8285.