Floridians injured in truck accidents should secure legal representation if they plan on pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.
Summary
- Truck accidents are significantly more dangerous than car accidents due to the size and weight of trucks, causing severe injuries.
- Common injuries from truck accidents include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones.
- Truck accident claims are complex because they often involve multiple liable parties, complex regulations, and higher insurance coverage for trucking companies.
- Having an experienced Florida truck accident lawyer on your side is essential to navigate the legal process and recover maximum compensation for your injuries.
Few types of accidents have the potential to be as destructive and traumatic as a truck accident. Collisions involving these massive vehicles can cause catastrophic damage, leaving victims facing serious injuries and mounting medical bills.
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a large truck, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia. We know the impact that these injuries can have on your life, and we’re ready to help you seek justice. Call us at (800) 320-HELP or contact us online to get started.
What You Need to Know About Florida Truck Accidents
Not all accidents are created equal. While car accidents can be frightening and cause serious injury, collisions involving large trucks pose a far greater threat.
- Devastating force: Trucks’ immense size and weight create a much higher impact in crashes, causing severe injuries to car occupants involved in even seemingly minor collisions.
- Limited maneuvering: Compared to cars, trucks are less maneuverable due to their size and weight. This makes it harder for them to avoid obstacles or sudden traffic changes, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Extra hazards: Truck accidents can involve additional dangers like cargo spillage or hazardous chemicals that wouldn’t be involved in a passenger car accident.
Trucking is a huge industry, and trucking companies often do whatever it takes to protect the bottom line. For instance, truck drivers are pushed towards unsafe driving practices that may leave other drivers on the road at risk, like driving under severe fatigue.
Common Injuries After a Truck Accident
The sheer force of a truck accident can cause far more severe injuries than a typical car accident. Even at low speeds, the enormous size of a truck can crush regular cars.
Common injuries suffered in truck accidents can include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): The violent impact of a truck accident can cause serious head injuries, including concussions, bleeding in the brain, and long-term cognitive problems.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: These devastating injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, permanently impacting mobility and quality of life.
- Neck and Back Injuries: The force of the crash can cause whiplash, herniated discs, and other severe neck and back injuries.
- Broken Bones: The impact of a collision can cause fractures in various parts of the body, requiring extensive surgery and rehabilitation.
- Internal Injuries: These hidden injuries can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
Florida law defines a “serious injury” as one that results in permanent scarring, significant disfigurement, permanent loss of a bodily function, or death. This is common in truck accidents, and an experienced attorney can help you pursue additional compensation to reflect the severity of your injuries.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, it’s crucial to seek medical attention right away.
Truck Accident Claims Are Often Complicated
Car accident claims are often very straightforward to pursue, with only a few involved drivers and their insurance companies. Due to the nature of the trucking industry, truck accident claims are usually much more complicated to untangle. These are some of the key differences between car and truck accident lawsuits.
- Number of Parties Involved: Truck accidents often involve more than just two drivers. Besides the truck driver, the trucking company, mechanics who serviced the truck, or even the company that loaded the cargo could potentially share liability. Identifying all liable parties requires a thorough investigation.
- Average Severity of Injuries: The type of truck accident can impact the severity of the resulting injuries, but all truck accidents are capable of causing serious and catastrophic harm. Treatment and compensation for these injuries can be much more complicated, involving additional laws and regulations.
- Complex Regulations: As mentioned earlier, truck drivers and trucking companies must adhere to federal and state regulations regarding driving hours, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement. Understanding these regulations and proving their violation is crucial for building a strong case.
- Powerful Insurance Companies: Trucking companies typically carry higher insurance policies than regular drivers. This means insurance companies may have more resources to fight claims aggressively. Negotiating a fair settlement can be more challenging.
These additional complexities can make truck accident claims more time-consuming and require specialized legal expertise to navigate effectively.
Compensation for Victims of Truck Accidents in Florida
Truck accidents can cause devastating injuries and significant financial burdens. Florida law allows victims to seek compensation for various losses to help them recover. Here’s a breakdown of the recoverable damages in a personal injury lawsuit:
- Medical Expenses: Covers all past, present, and future medical bills related to your injuries. This includes ambulance rides, hospital stays, doctor visits, medications, rehabilitation, and therapy. Since truck accidents often cause severe injuries, these expenses can be substantial.
- Lost Wages: Compensates you for income lost due to missing work because of your injuries or attending medical appointments. This can also include future lost wages if your injuries impact your ability to work permanently.
- Pain and Suffering: Truck accidents can inflict immense physical pain and emotional distress. This compensation aims to address both the present and long-term suffering caused by the accident.
- Property Damage: Reimburses you for repairs or replacement of your damaged vehicle.
- Loss of Consortium: Compensates a spouse for the loss of companionship, intimacy, or love due to the accident and your injuries.
- Scarring and Disfigurement: Compensates for emotional distress caused by permanent scars or other physical disfigurement resulting from the accident.
The amount of compensation you receive depends on the severity of your injuries, the extent of your losses, the impact on your daily life, and the degree of fault attributed to the parties involved.
You Need an Experienced Florida Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accidents are far more complex than car accidents, and the stakes are much higher. Here’s a few reasons to hire a Florida truck accident lawyer to represent your claim.
They Have the Organizational and Investigate Resources to Support Your Claim
Severity of Truck Accident Injuries: Truck accidents often cause catastrophic injuries, leading to extensive medical bills and long-term rehabilitation needs. An experienced accident injury lawyer can fight to ensure you receive the full compensation needed to cover these costs. They also understand how to document these injuries and connect them to negligent actions.
Multiple Parties Potentially Involved: Unlike car accidents, truck accidents may involve multiple parties who could be liable, such as the truck driver, the trucking company, mechanics who serviced the vehicle, or the company that loaded the cargo. An experienced Florida truck accident lawyer can investigate the accident thoroughly, identify all liable parties, and hold them accountable.
Complex Trucking Regulations: Truck drivers and trucking companies must follow strict federal and state regulations regarding driving hours, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement. A lawyer can analyze these regulations and determine if any violations contributed to the accident, strengthening your case.
The Provide Expertise in the Dynamics, Components, and Laws Involved in the Claims Process
A Florida truck accident attorney’s prior knowledge of how to handle the parties, elements, and legalities of a claim is an asset.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Trucking companies typically carry high insurance policies, but their insurance companies may have vast resources to fight claims aggressively. An experienced lawyer knows how to negotiate with insurance companies to secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
Understanding Long-Term Impacts: Truck accident injuries can have long-term effects on your ability to work and your quality of life. An experienced Florida truck accident lawyer can consider these long-term impacts when calculating your damages and ensure your compensation reflects the full scope of your losses.
Experience with Truck Accident Law: The legal nuances of truck accident cases are distinct from car accidents. A Florida truck attorney specializing in truck accidents has the necessary knowledge, experience, and resources to handle your case effectively.
Call WHG to Schedule a Case Review for Your Florida Truck Accident Claim
The physical, emotional, and financial burdens of a truck accident can be overwhelming. An experienced Florida personal injury lawyer with WHG can take the legal weight off your shoulders, allowing you to focus on healing. We will advocate for your rights, fight for the compensation you deserve, and ensure you have the resources needed to move forward after this life-altering event.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, don’t hesitate to contact WHG. Our experienced team of truck accident lawyers will fight for the compensation you deserve. Speak with our team by contacting us online or calling us at (800) 320-HELP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Florida follows a comparative negligence system. This means your compensation might be reduced based on the percentage of fault attributed to you. However, an experienced Florida truck accident lawyer can still fight to recover compensation reflecting your damages, even if you share some fault for the truck accident.
How long will my truck accident case take to resolve?
The timeframe can vary depending on the complexity of your case, the severity of your injuries, and negotiation timelines with insurance companies. A Florida personal injury attorney can provide a more accurate estimate after reviewing your specific situation.
What happens if the insurance company denies my claim?
An experienced Florida truck accident lawyer knows how to handle denials. They can investigate further, gather additional evidence, and negotiate with the insurance company to get you the compensation you deserve. If necessary, they can also prepare your case for court.
