According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were approximately 415,000 police-reported commercial truck accidents in the United States in 2020. Of the 415,000 crashes, 4,444 were fatal, and 101,000 sustained severe or life-threatening injuries.
If you’re recovering after a truck accident, help is available. You don’t have to suffer for someone else’s mistake or negligent behavior. The top-rated semi-truck accident lawyers at Winston Law Firm can fight for you so you can focus on healing mentally and physically.
How does Liability Work During Semi-Truck or Big-Rig Accident Cases in Florida?
Unlike typical car accidents, semi-truck or big-rig accident claims are complex and involve multiple parties. Because commercial truck accident cases can be complicated, hiring an experienced semi-truck attorney is in your best interest to recover fair compensation. Your lawyer can help you identify all parties involved and how they may have contributed to your truck accident.
Determining how a semi-truck or big-rig accident occurred and who could be responsible is not easy. A lot goes into maintaining a commercial motor vehicle and the goods it transports, so it is likely that one or more parties may share responsibility for a truck accident in Florida. Once the fault has been determined, you will be eligible to collect a payout for your damages.
Who Could Be Responsible for a Semi-Truck or Big Rig Accident?
In many truck accident cases, there is more than one defendant, or liable party, for semi-truck accident claims. Possible liable parties can be anyone who shares responsibility for manufacturing, maintaining, or loading cargo onto commercial trucks. Once the involved parties have been identified, it becomes easier to analyze how the accident may have happened and what or who could have caused it.
The following parties could be liable for a semi-truck accident in Florida:
- Truck drivers
- Trucking/Shipping companies
- Cargo loaders
- Trailer owners
- Truck technicians
- Truck/part manufacturers
- Tire manufacturers
- Third-party vendors
Florida Truck Accidents & Negligence
Every driver on the road accepts the responsibility to drive safely for those around them when they place their foot on the gas. To keep other drivers from harm, drivers must obey traffic laws, avoid traffic violations, and monitor their following distance and speed. In addition to driving safely, drivers must do everything possible to prevent accidents.
When negligent driving happens, this duty has been breached by at-fault drivers. Once negligent driving has been committed, responsible parties will be required to pay for your economic and non-economic damages. This statement is especially true for truck drivers — as trucking company employees are mandated to follow strict safety guidelines provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA.)
After the liable party has been determined, your semi-truck accident lawyer in Florida will recommend you file a claim against said party’s/parties insurance company. By doing so, you can recover out-of-pocket expenses for medical bills, property damage, pain and suffering, and other subsequent issues resulting from a semi-truck accident.
What Kind of Semi-Truck and Big-Rig Accident Claims do We Represent in Florida?
Many factors can lead to a semi-truck accident in Florida. According to the Large Truck Crash Causation Study completed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration concerning the causes of truck accidents, common influencing factors include driver fatigue, driving under the influence, and speeding. However, not every Florida semi-truck accident is the same, and the cause of one commercial truck accident can differ from others and vice versa.
Because of the many influencers that can lead to a truck accident, our top-rated semi-truck accident lawyers in Florida represent numerous claims to meet the needs of truck accident victims and their families, including but not limited to the following:
- Driving under the influence
- Driver fatigue
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Reckless driving
- Overloaded or falling cargo
- Traffic violations
- Poor road conditions
- Hazardous weather conditions
- Mechanical failure
- Equipment issues
- Driver error
What Should I do After a Semi-Truck or Big-Rig Accident in Florida?
Commercial truck accidents can be deadly. Naturally, you may be in shock after a traumatic accident. If you’re unsure what to do after a semi-truck accident in Florida, truck accident lawyers can guide how to protect your legal rights and increase your chances of winning a semi-truck accident settlement.
What you say and do after a truck accident can significantly affect your chances of securing a successful truck accident claim. By following these steps, you can avoid saying anything that could harm your claim for fair compensation after a semi-truck accident in Florida.
- Call 911. Always call 911 immediately after a semi-truck accident — especially if anyone has been harmed or killed.
- Get medical attention. As soon as you can do so, see a doctor after a semi-truck accident. Doctors will treat your injuries and document your prognosis and condition for insurance companies to view later.
- Collect evidence. While you are still at the scene of the accident, collect evidence to submit to your lawyer. Essential things to document include vehicle damages, injuries, road conditions, weather conditions, and traffic signs or cameras.
- Speak to witnesses. If you can, speak to any eyewitnesses who may have seen the accident. Ask for their statements and contact information.
- Hire a semi-truck accident lawyer. After your accident, hire a truck accident lawyer immediately. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the easier it will be to start collecting evidence against liable parties for your damages.
Why Should I Hire a Semi-Truck and Big-Rig Accident Lawyer in Florida?
Truck accident claims are complex, and proving what happened can be difficult because of the numerous parties involved. By hiring a truck accident lawyer, you are increasing your chances of winning compensation for your damages and gaining access to expert legal advice to help your claim. Your lawyer will be well-versed in the laws commercial truck drivers and other trucking industry employees have to follow in the United States.
Truck accident lawyers can look into the following important documents and evidence to determine if a truck driver could have caused your accident and, if so, how it may have happened. The following factors can prove that a truck driver acted negligently behind the wheel.
- Valid CDL license. Was the license expired? Was it suspended?
- Criminal records. Has the truck driver been charged with negligent behavior behind the wheel before? Do they have a record?
- Truck driver’s driving record. Does the truck driver drive safely? Have they been pulled over before or ticketed for a DUI?
- Truck driver’s logs. Was the truck driver driving during appropriate times? Are they driving when they should be on break or resting?
- Cargo. Is the cargo properly loaded? Is it falling or not secure?
- Truck driver’s physical/mental state. Was the truck driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol? Were they taking prescription drugs?
What Damages Could I Win from a Semi-Truck Big-Rig Accident in Florida?
If you have a successful truck accident claim, you win damages from the responsible party to get reimbursed for physical, mental, and financial issues resulting from a truck accident. Personal injury claims have two categories for damages — economic and non-economic. The following damages could be recovered after a truck accident in Florida:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Lower quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Depression or anxiety
To win back the total amount of damages you suffered from a truck accident, hire a truck accident lawyer to negotiate on your behalf. The truck driver’s insurance company may try to reject or undervalue your claim without a semi-truck accident attorney present.
Hire a Semi-Truck Big-Rig Accident Lawyer in Florida
After a truck accident, life may feel very different. You may be severely injured and unable to work or care for your family. You may be experiencing financial strain or debt. However a truck accident has affected you, you don’t deserve to suffer because of someone else’s mistake.
The top-rated semi-truck accident lawyers at Winston Law Firm are here to help you move forward after a traumatic truck accident. We can fight on your behalf to get the justice you deserve after a deadly commercial truck accident.
If you’re struggling, don’t do it alone. Rely on truck accident attorneys to fight your battles so you can recover. Begin today and contact us to file a claim for compensation.
