Truck accidents are some of the leading causes of severe injuries and fatalities on the roads of Florida. The increase in commercial vehicles and their huge size are key contributors to injuries and deaths, resulting in concerns among Florida residents. However, there are laws in place that allow victims of truck accidents to seek compensation if the accident was caused by negligence or recklessness of the liable party.
If you or a loved one has sustained injuries or losses in a truck accident in Palm Beach Gardens, do not hesitate to seek a Truck Accident Lawyer in Palm Beach Gardens. The team at Steinberg Law is readily available to help you seek justice and the compensation you deserve. Call our offices today at 877-783-4611 to get started with a car accident lawyer.
Truck Accident Statistics in Florida
Unfortunately, the state of Florida remains to be one of the top states plagued with truck accidents on a daily basis. Big rigs, semi-trucks, and tractor trailers can weigh up to thirty times more than the average vehicle, making their devastation inconceivable. However, their size is merely one of the various reasons that make trucks extremely dangerous. With stretches like Interstate 10 holding the record for the 4th longest highway in the united states and Interstate 95 receiving at least 300,000 motorists daily, it’s easy to see why truck accidents are not that uncommon.
According to recent data, Florida records about 30,000 truck accidents per year, leaving many injured and others dead. Most of these accidents can be avoided by obeying traffic rules, but you never know what to expect while on the road.
What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?
The steps you take following a truck accident play a vital role in the outcome of your case. Do not leave the scene until you do the following:
Call the Police
Contact the relevant authorities immediately after the crash. They will send the right help to anyone injured. The police will also collect the necessary evidence to determine the party at fault and file a report, which is necessary when making an auto accident claim.
Help the Others
If possible, check on the other people involved in the accident. If the paramedics don’t arrive quickly, give first aid to those who need it. If the victims are badly hurt or unconscious, do not move them. If their position poses a hazard, however, move them to a safe place carefully.
Exchange Information
You’ll want to exchange relevant information with the other party and witnesses. Some liable parties tend to flee the scene and that’s why need witnesses’ contact information. Relevant details include license plate numbers, insurance information, contact details, and driving license.
Record the Scene
Next, use your phone or camera to take photos and videos of the incident. This includes injuries sustained, damage to vehicles, nearby signs, road conditions, etc. This will come in handy in creating a solid case.
Seek Medical Attention
It is important that you visit the ER or a doctor even if you feel fine after the collision. Some injuries take time to become apparent and can take a toll on your health when they do. A thorough checkup can reveal these injuries before they become worse. Also, the doctor will make a report that will help prove your case when making a claim.
Consult a Palm Beach GardensTruck Accident Attorney!
It is advisable to contact a truck accident lawyer. An experienced lawyer in this field will be the best shot for maximum compensation. By working with us, we will be able to create a solid case and file a claim on your behalf as you undergo treatment or recovery.
What are the Laws Regarding Truck Accident Liability?
In order to receive compensation, you need to show that the truck driver was liable for the accident. If you are unable to prove liability, your case cannot be successful. This requires proving the following as true:
- The driver was an employee of the trucking company during the accident
- The truck driver’s actions were beneficial or in service of the trucking company
- The driver was acting on behalf of the trucking company during the accident
Establishing liability on your own, however, can prove to be challenging. That’s why it is advisable to hire a truck accident lawyer. Understanding the laws in this field is important before you file a claim and an attorney will help in that.
An attorney will help ease the trouble as you won’t have to spend more time and money learning those laws. The professional will guide you throughout the entire process. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have been in an accident in Palm Beach Gardens Florida.
How Can a Palm Beach Gardens Truck Accident Help?
Hiring the right truck accident attorney in Palm Beach Gardens can help you investigate your incident, file a claim, do settlement negotiations and take your court to trial if necessary. That being said, here’s a closer look at the benefits of legal representation:
Investigation
A truck accident lawyer will hire an expert and use their resources to investigate your case. This entails collecting the required evidence, interviewing witnesses, and gathering the necessary evidence from the trucking company as well as experts capable of testifying in court.
Filing the Claim
Filing a truck accident claim on your own is not as easy as it seems. If you miss the deadline or make a mistake, the insurance company or liable party has legal grounds to deny your claim. With an experienced lawyer, however, you can be certain that your claim will be filed properly. They will collect the necessary documents before doing the paperwork and ensure everything is in place.
Settlement Negotiation
Insurers don’t like paying claims as they are in business to make profits. That is why they have top-of-the-line lawyers and adjusters. This is exactly why you need a seasoned lawyer on your side as well. This way, they will handle negotiations to ensure you get the settlement you deserve.
Litigation
The insurance company may deny your claim or try to pay a less-than-desirable amount. In such a case, your attorney will prepare a solid case and represent you in court during litigation. The team at Steinberg Law has been handling truck accident claims for years. We stay abreast with personal injury laws and court rules in the state and so, you can trust us with your case. Call us today for a free initial consultation!
What Kinds of Compensation Can You Recover in Florida?
It is only fair that you get what you deserve following an accident that was not your fault. However, without a good lawyer, you may not recover full compensation. You need to understand what types of compensation you are eligible for and a lawyer will help you with that. Recoverable types of compensation for personal injury cases including truck accidents in Florida include:
Economic Damages
These are the monetary losses experienced as a result of the accident. They are objective in nature and include medical bills, property damage, lost income, and lost earning capacity.
Non-Economic Damages
These are not easy to calculate as they are subjective in nature and therefore can’t be assigned an actual dollar amount. Examples of non-economic damages include emotional distress, anxiety, depression, loss of support, pain and suffering, physical disfigurement, etc.
Punitive Damages
While rare in personal injury cases, punitive damages apply in truck accident claims. However, they are only awarded if you can prove that the truck driver or trucking company was grossly negligent, reckless, or acted in a malicious manner. They are put in place to punish those responsible for such acts and warn others to not engage in similar behavior.
Still, we recommend getting a truck accident attorney to help you comprehend the various types of recoverable damages. Insurance companies are rarely honest and will try every trick in the book to hide some damages or convince you to settle for a lower settlement amount. With a good lawyer, you get to avoid this.
How Much is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?
When it comes to personal accident claims, nothing is set in stone and the amount you deserve to receive depends on the severity of your injuries and losses. Some claims are worth a few hundred dollars while others enter the six-figure bracket. A reputable lawyer will help you determine how much your claim is worth.
Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Truck Accident Claim?
Yes, Florida has a statute of limitations for all personal injury cases including truck accidents. This is usually 4 years from the date of the accident. As such, it is in your best interest to pursue the claim as soon as possible. Failure to do so within the time limit may lead to losing your right to seek compensation. A lawyer will help ensure that you do not miss your deadlines.
How is Liability Determined in a Palm Beach GardensTruck Accident?
The state of Florida is a comparative negligence region. This means that if you are partially liable for an accident where you sustain injuries or losses, your recovery of damages will be cut. Determining liability can sometimes be hard and this is another reason to have a knowledgeable legal representative by your side. Some of the rules to prove liability in Florida include:
- The motorist can be held responsible as long as the other motorist didn’t break the law during the accident.
- The truck driver can be held responsible if they were negligent. Examples include speeding and drunk driving.
- The truck driver can be held responsible if their vehicle wasn’t well maintained and thus led to the accident.
- The truck driver can be held responsible if they caused a rear-end collision due to driving too close to the vehicle in front. However, there are exceptions such as when the other motorist stopped suddenly or changed lanes without a signal.
Can a Palm Beach GardensTruck Accident Attorney Prove the Truck Accident Driver Was At Fault?
Yes! Our team does this by gathering the necessary evidence, interviewing witnesses, hiring experts, collecting police reports, medical reports, and other documentation to show that the truck driver was indeed negligent. Proving this is key in increasing the odds of a successful claim.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?
Parties that can be held liable for truck accidents in Florida include:
- The truck driver
- Trucking company
- The trucking insurance company
- The truck’s manufacturer
- The truck’s spare parts manufacturer
- A company that rented the truck
- People that loaded the freight
What are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Florida?
Our team has witnessed and worked on a wide array of truck accident claims and has found the following to be the most common causes of these accidents:
- Reckless Driving
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued d riving
- Improper loading
- Lack of proper truck care
- Poorly maintained roads
- Impaired driving
- Overlooking traffic laws
- Poor equipment maintenance.
Hire the Best Truck Accident Lawyers in Delray Beach, FL!
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, the law stipulates you may be eligible for compensation for injuries and losses incurred. If you lost a loved one, then you are allowed to file a wrongful death claim. Still, getting full compensation is not as straightforward and the other party can have an array of reasons to deny your claim.
Protect your rights today by hiring a Palm Beach Gardens truck accident lawyer. These accidents are usually fatal and can have life-changing effects. As such, you should not allow the party at fault or their insurance company to take advantage of your situation. Hiring a reputable attorney will alleviate your stress and give you peace of mind.
At Steinberg Law, we do whatever it takes to seek justice for our clients and the compensation they deserve. Proving liability for truck accidents can be tricky due to the many parties that may be involved. However, we have been in the field long enough to know the best routes to secure compensation for our clients. We operate on a contingency basis and so, don’t fret about calling us at 877-783-4611 today!
