Florida Truck Accident Attorneys Providing Aggressive Legal Representation For Injury Victims
Any motorist who has driven on Florida roads is well aware of the number of tractor-trailers sharing the highways. Florida is continuously growing, and trucks help bring the necessary supplies our state needs.
However, with the constant population growth and more trucks and cars on the roads, there is also a greater risk of being involved in an accident involving a truck. Truck accidents can be even more hazardous than accidents involving only cars due to the massive size and weight of these commercial vehicles.
Trucking companies have teams of lawyers working hard to deny and undervalue claims. That’s why, if you’ve been injured in a truck accident, it’s important to have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side to fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Be sure to call RTRLAW today toll-free at 1-833-HIRE-RTR (1-833-447-3787) if you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident with a commercial truck in Florida, or if you are a truck driver who has been injured in a wreck.
What Are the Most Common Reasons Truck Accidents Occur in Florida?
The number one cause of trucking accidents in Florida and across the nation is speeding or reckless driving on the part of the truck driver. Unlike other motor vehicles that require less time and distance to stop, a loaded commercial vehicle can’t stop suddenly. If the driver exceeds the speed limit, especially in areas where road conditions and adverse weather conditions are a factor like in Florida, it can lead to serious accidents. For example, heavy thunderstorms are common in the summer months in Florida, impairing drivers’ vision and frequently leading to collisions.
Some of the other common contributing factors cited in truck accident reports include:
- Driving while fatigued: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has strict rules and regulations known as Hours of Service (HOS) that dictate how long drivers may operate their commercial vehicles. Nevertheless, driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of semi-truck accidents.
- Distracted driving: Truck drivers must follow the same rules other motorists are required to obey, such as not texting while driving. Federal laws prohibit truck drivers from reaching for or holding phones to make a call. They must use a headset or alternative hands-free device, yet some drivers disregard these laws and subsequently accidents occur.
- Improper training and hiring practices: Many trucking companies have relaxed their hiring standards and training practices because of the desperate need for additional drivers. As a result, some companies send drivers out on the road quickly who do not have the proper training, skills, or experience to operate a commercial vehicle safely.
Other serious issues that contribute to truck accidents include:
- Improper loading of cargo
- Defective equipment
- Lack of maintenance
- Old or worn-out tires
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you need a personal injury attorney who is familiar with the federal laws governing commercial vehicles. RTRLAW has experienced attorneys with successful track records of handling large truck accident cases who will fight hard to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Who Can Be Held Liable For Truck Accident Injuries?
Trucking accidents are especially complex as they often involve multiple liability issues. One benefit of hiring a truck accident attorney like RTRLAW is they can examine the evidence and decide who should be held responsible for your injuries and other damages.
For example, if it can be determined a truck driver is at fault for the accident, they may be held liable. After a truck accident occurs, the incident will be investigated by the proper authorities. If it can be determined through the investigation that the driver violated FMCSA rules, such as texting and driving or speeding, they will be held accountable for the accident.
The driver’s employer, the trucking company, also may be held liable if it can be determined they played a role in the accident. For example, trucking companies often push their drivers to operate past their available hours to get their loads to the designated locations on or before time. Additionally, if the trucking company hires a driver with previous accidents or incidents related to reckless driving, they may be forced to pay compensation to injury victims.
Finally, if it’s determined through the investigation that the truck manufacturer produced faulty equipment that led to the accident, they may also be held to blame. Because numerous factors can contribute to a truck accident, hiring an experienced attorney who can thoroughly evaluate the evidence and file a claim against the responsible parties is in your best interest.
What Type of Compensation Can I Receive After a Commercial Vehicle Accident?
Accidents that involve large trucks and commercial vehicles frequently cause individuals to suffer severe or catastrophic injuries. A smaller motor vehicle is no match for a large truck, and fatal accidents also may result when a collision occurs between the two.
Some of the most common injuries accident victims suffer from a truck accident include:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations
- Wrongful death
If you’ve suffered serious or catastrophic injuries after being involved in a truck accident, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation in the form of economic and non-economic damages. In addition, you also may be eligible to recover punitive damages if your accident case meets specific legal criteria.
What Are Economic Damages?
Economic damages are granted to accident victims to repay them for the out-of-pocket expenses they’ve had to pay or may pay in the future due to their injuries. Some of the most commonly awarded economic damages include:
- Past and future medical expenses, including physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Property damage
One of the most common concerns expressed by truck accident victims is if they can receive compensation for their medical expenses. If the accident victim suffered permanent injuries, they would most likely require specialized medical care for the rest of their lives. This type of care can quickly create a financial crisis for injury victims and their families. A skilled truck accident attorney like RTRLAW can advocate to get the maximum compensation possible for the injury victim’s needs.
Who is Eligible For Non-Economic Damages?
Non-economic damages are based on the unique facts and circumstances surrounding the case. Because non-economic damages are awarded to compensate victims for intangible losses, every settlement will differ.
Some commonly awarded non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
How Do I Recover Punitive Damages?
Florida law only allows injury victims to recover punitive damages if they present clear and convincing evidence that the liable party is guilty of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Unlike economic and non-economic damages meant to compensate the victim, punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer. Additionally, punitive damages also are meant to serve as a warning to others not to repeat the same behavior.
Florida caps punitive damages at three times the amount of compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater. A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer like RTRLAW will be able to review your case and decide if you are entitled to request punitive damages. For a free, no-obligation case review, call RTRLAW today toll free at 1-833-HIRE-RTR (1-833-447-3787).
What Are the Advantages of Hiring RTRLAW After Being Injured in a Truck Accident?
RTRLAW is a full-service law firm dedicated to assisting injured truck accident victims get the fair compensation they deserve. Our experienced truck accident attorneys are fearless in going up against the trucking companies, their insurance companies, and their legal teams. Trucking companies face many lawsuits and employ attorneys to look for ways to avoid paying out large claims.
Our personal injury attorneys will work diligently to ensure that your legal rights are upheld and that the responsible parties are held accountable for their negligence. RTRLAW’s experienced and aggressive personal injury attorneys are available to meet with you in person at one of our six convenient offices in Florida, including:
- Fort Lauderdale
- Orlando
- Tampa
- West Palm Beach
- Miami (by appointment only)
- Jacksonville (by appointment only)
At RTRLAW, we fight for our clients’ rights and to recover what our clients deserve after suffering injuries from other people’s or company’s negligence.
Our lawyers and investigators also can come to you – even if you are in the hospital or confined to home due to your injuries. If we choose to take your case, you will not pay anything upfront. RTRLAW works on contingency fees, which means you pay NOTHING unless we win your case and recover money for you.
Since our founding in 1988, RTRLAW has represented tens of thousands of clients and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars. Our attorneys fight hard to get our clients the compensation they deserve for their injuries.
To receive a free, no-obligation case review, please contact us today. For more information, contact us, call or text us 24 hours a day, seven days a week toll-free at 1-833-HIRE-RTR (1-833-447-3787), or email [email protected].
