Truck accidents can involve tremendous force and cause serious harm to victims.
Summary
- Truck accidents are significantly more dangerous than car accidents due to the size and weight disparity, often causing devastating injuries.
- Determining liability in truck accidents can be complex, as multiple parties like trucking companies, maintenance providers, and cargo loaders may be involved.
- Florida law defines “serious injury” as one with permanent consequences, which strengthens your personal injury claim and allows for broader compensation.
- Different types of truck accidents like rollovers, head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, underride accidents, and jackknife accidents have varying impacts on the severity of injuries.
Sharing the road with commercial trucks is a reality for all Florida drivers. While these vehicles provide essential goods and services, their sheer size and weight make them significantly more dangerous in the event of an accident. The type of truck accident can also have an impact on how seriously accident victims are injured.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, the aftermath can be an overwhelming mix of pain, emotional trauma, and bills. The physical, mental, and financial toll these truck accidents take is often devastating, and victims deserve compensation.
The truck accident lawyers at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia are committed to defending the rights of victims and securing the compensation you deserve. You can contact us online or by calling us at (800) 320-HELP.
The Basics of Truck Accidents
Truck accident statistics show that these collisions often result in far greater damage and more severe injuries than car accidents due to the immense size and weight disparity between the vehicles involved. The force of impact can crush smaller vehicles, leading to devastating consequences.
Truck accidents frequently cause life-altering injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and internal bleeding, resulting in long-term medical needs and lost wages.
Liability in Various Types of Truck Accidents
Determining who is liable in a truck accident can be challenging. Transportation is a huge industry, with many players involved throughout the long-haul shipping process.
Beyond the truck driver, other liable parties may include:
- Trucking companies: They may be responsible for inadequate driver training, vehicle maintenance, or pressure to meet unrealistic deadlines that result in truck driver fatigue.
- Maintenance providers: Negligent maintenance of brakes, tires, or other crucial components can contribute to accidents.
- Cargo loaders: Improperly secured cargo can shift, causing the truck to lose control.
A skilled truck accident lawyer can investigate the full scope of the accident, identifying all potentially liable parties to maximize your claim and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
The Serious Injury Threshold
Florida law defines a “serious injury” as one that results in permanent scarring, significant disfigurement, permanent loss of a bodily function, or death.
Establishing “serious injury” status acknowledges the long-term impact on your life and earning potential. Additionally, it can significantly strengthen your personal injury claim. With the help of an experienced truck accident lawyer, you can seek compensation beyond medical bills and lost wages. Those damages alone may not fully address the long-term impact of your truck accident injuries.
Types of Truck Accidents
Not all truck accidents are created equal. The type of truck accident can significantly influence the type and severity of injuries that victims receive.
Rollover Accidents
These occur when a truck loses balance and tips over. When this happens, it can crush nearby vehicles, causing severe head and neck injuries. They may also cause ejections from the cabin of the vehicle.
Head-On Collisions
In head-on collisions, both vehicles are traveling toward each other, amplifying the force of the crash. These impacts can be catastrophic, resulting in devastating injuries to both occupants due to the sheer force involved.
Rear-End Collisions
While seemingly less severe, the force of a large truck hitting a smaller vehicle from behind can cause a sudden and violent change in velocity. This may lead to whiplash, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other serious harm.
Underride Accidents
When a smaller vehicle slides under a truck, the consequences can be fatal. Underride accidents often cause severe crush injuries and amputations as the smaller vehicle is crushed by the truck’s undercarriage.
Jackknife Accidents
When a truck’s trailer loses traction and swings out perpendicularly, it creates a dangerous obstacle for other vehicles. Often, this can lead to severe side-impact collisions due to the truck’s size and momentum.
Compensation for Truck Accident Victims
Truck accidents can lead to significant financial burdens, including medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and long-term care needs. Compensation helps alleviate these financial pressures and allows victims to focus on recovery.
Types of personal injury damages that can be compensated may include:
- Medical expenses: This covers all past, present, and future medical costs associated with the accident, including hospital bills, doctor visits, surgeries, therapy, medication, and medical equipment.
- Lost wages: Compensation for wages lost due to missed workdays, reduced work hours, or an inability to return to previous job duties due to your injuries.
- Loss of earning capacity: Compensation for the potential decrease in future earning potential due to long-term injuries or disabilities.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional pain, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by the truck accident.
- Property damage: Compensation for damage to your vehicle or other personal property as a result of the truck accident.
- Loss of consortium: Compensation for the loss of companionship, support, and intimacy experienced by the spouse or close family members of the victim.
- Punitive damages: In rare cases, where the truck driver or trucking company acted with gross negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible party.
Truck accidents inflict immense physical and emotional pain, impacting victims’ quality of life. Compensation recognizes this intangible suffering and provides some measure of justice.
It’s important to note that the specific amount of compensation awarded will depend on factors like the severity of the truck accident injuries and the extent of economic losses. A personal injury lawyer with experience handling truck accident cases can give you a clearer sense of the compensation you may be owed.
WHG Can Help You Pursue Justice for Your Truck Accident Claim
An experienced truck accident lawyer like the team at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia can be your advocate throughout the legal process, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. We will:
- Conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the truck accident and identify all liable parties.
- Gather evidence to support your claim, including medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and expert testimony.
- Negotiate with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs.
- Represent you in court if necessary, fighting for your rights and maximizing your compensation.
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
What should I do after a truck accident?
Seek immediate medical attention, report the accident to the police, and contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim?
Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years. However, the specific timeline can depend on a variety of factors. Get in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney for a personalized assessment of your case.
Will I need to go to court?
Most truck accident cases are settled outside of court through negotiation. However, an experienced personal injury lawyer will be prepared to represent you effectively in court if necessary.
