Semi-Truck, 18 Wheeler, Big Rigs accidents South Florida
Tractor-trailers are a significant source of transportation, transporting goods, supplies, equipment, food, and freight. According to , there are over 450,000 large truck and bus accidents that occur on the motorways. Tractor-trailers are large vehicles weighing over 80,000 pounds or more so when there is a truck accident in South Florida involving another car, bike or pedestrian; the damage is typically severe and more complicated than auto accidents due to:
- Multiple insurance carriers and higher insurance policies- for the trailer and the cab
- Greater personal injuries
- Increased property damage
- Increased chance of death
- Larger medical bills
Many questions arise when you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in South Florida:
- What Are Common Causes Of Large Truck Accidents? Advocates USA South Florida.
- Who Is Responsible For The Truck Accident?
- What Are The Types Of Truck Accident Lawsuits?
- What To Do If You Have Been Injured In a Truck Accident In South Florida?
- How Is A Truck Accident Claim Different From A Car Accident Claim in South Florida?
- What Is My Truck Accident Case Worth?
- How Can A Truck Accident Attorney Help Me?
- Do You Need A Truck Accident Attorney?
If you or a loved one has been involved in a commercial vehicle accident, call our personal injury attorneys at Advocates USA at 1-800-872-4878 or fill out our contact form for a free evaluation. Having an experienced truck accident attorney on your side can make the process less stressful, and we can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS? South Florida
Under Florida State regulation, truck drivers are held to higher standards on the roadways due to the size of the vehicle and are limited with the number of hours they can drive. However, many drivers are given incentives if they deliver within a shorter time, overextending themselves and putting others on the speedway in danger. The most common causes of truck accidents in South Florida include:
- Fatigue and falling asleep at the wheel
- Equipment failure
- Under the influence of drugs, pain medication or alcohol
- Lack of driving training or maintenance
- Overcompensating the wheel
- Traveling at fast speeds
- Distracted driving
Unlike car accidents, not all truck accidents are caused by human error, like running a red light. A large number of commercial vehicle accidents are due to equipment failure. However, this does not mean the driver is not liable. The driver must ensure his or her equipment is inspected before their trip, and maintenance is updated and functioning correctly. Failure to provide these safety steps, the driver of the truck could be responsible. If the accident was caused by equipment or manufacture malfunction, the commercial truck company could also be implicated if it can be proven that the company acted with negligence and failed to keep their equipment maintained.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact South Florida Truck Accident attorneys so we can determine if negligence was involved and pursue a personal injury lawsuit in South Florida. Advocates USA 1-800-872-4878
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY TRUCK ACCIDENT IN SOUTH FLORIDA?
Various parties can be involved and liable for truck accidents. And most times will deny fault or liability for the accident. Our truck accident attorneys in South Florida at Advocates USA see this all the time, which makes the case more complicated. You need an experienced accident attorney on your side. The parties that can play a role in liability include:
- Truck company
- Truck driver
- Owner of the truck
- Owner of the trailer
- The company leasing the truck
- The company renting the trailer
- Manufacture of the parts
- The shipper of the cargo
Depending on the truck accident, you could be dealing with five or more insurance companies, including your own at a time, which is why it is essential to hire Advocates USA to help you navigate these complicated cases.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWSUITS?
Our truck accident lawyers at Advocates USA file a personal injury lawsuit against truck companies manufactures or a shipper of cargo, the truck driver, owner of the truck, the contractor of the truck or trailer typically for the following reasons:
Negligence. A truck accident occurred because someone acted with negligence. Typical indications include:
- Fatigue from driving too long without a break
- Distraction-texting while driving
- Lack of experience and training
- Speeding
- Driving on narrow roads
- Not abiding by the laws and regulations for truck drivers
- Failure to see other vehicles in their blind spots
- Failure to inspect the truck or trailer before departure
- Failure to hire qualified drivers, or truck company
Lawsuits based on negligence, our lawyers will need to prove the defendant had a duty of care to other cars on the road, and the driver did not act or failure to act, causing injury to others. As mentioned above, other parties may be held liable, not only the truck driver.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets rules and regulations that truck drivers must adhere to due to the high-risk nature of their job. Failure to comply with regulation, negligence can be established.
- A book logging their detailed hours driven
- Abiding by the legally and scheduled mandated maintenance requirements
- Proper weight limit
- Proper care and loading of truck cargo
- Adhering to driving a maximum of 10 hours per day
- Detailed documentation of rest breaks and driving hours
- Influence of Drugs and alcohol is prohibited
Wrongful death. Unfortunately, in many truck accidents, the victim does not survive. If a truck accident results in a death, a family member can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the victim. Our personal injury attorneys in south Florida will work the family members to help recover compensation for economic, non-economic, and, most times, punitive damages.
Product Liability. If there was a defective part in the truck or trailer and caused or contributed to an accident, the product manufacturer can be held liable. To file a product liability lawsuit, the plaintiff needs to prove the defect originated in the manufacturing of the product. Product liability lawsuits are complicated, pricey, and extensive because it will involve testing, analysis of products, and testimonies from experts.
STEPS I SHOULD TAKE AFTER I WAS HIT BY A TRUCK?
With any accident, seek medical attention immediately following the accident. If you were involved in a truck accident in South Florida, contact a truck accident attorney who has experience in these types of complicated accidents. Our tractor-trailer accident attorneys in South Florida know the special regulations governing big rigs on the road, and we need to help you get the compensation that is deserved if you were injured. Contact our Personal Injury Attorneys at Advocates USA in South Florida for a free consultation. If you were hit by a truck and are capable of, follow these steps:
- Call 9-1-1
- Ensure you are out of harm’s way; no visible gas leaks or fire
- Write the name of the truck company
- Any phone number you see, trucks typically have “How’s my driving? Call 1-800-xxx”
- Write the license plate number
- Take photos, videos, write down witness names and phone number
Regardless if you didn’t sustain life-threatening injuries, but were involved in a truck accident, you can file a claim. You need to make sure your rights are protected, and you get what is rightfully owed.
Your timeline of events would look like this:
- Report
- Medical attention
- Call your insurance company to notify of the accident
- Hire an experienced truck accident attorney
- Your lawyer will file a claim
- You and the defendant will settle through mediation or arbitration
- Your case goes to trial if the two parties can not agree on the compensation
When looking for an experienced truck accident attorney or personal injury attorney in South Florida, you need to look for not only years of experience but also the attorney’s ability to argue and win their cases in court. Not all cases can be settled outside of court, and having a reliable personal injury attorney is a must.
HOW DO TRUCK ACCIDENTS DIFFER FROM CAR ACCIDENTS? SOUTH FLORIDA
Truck accident claims in South Florida are different from car accident claims, but how?
Many people assume an accident is an accident. Truck accidents in South Florida are accidents that involve an 18- wheeler, semi-truck, tractor trailers, or other commercial vehicles that cause personal injury to property and people. The damage and personal injury that occurs when a commercial truck strikes a smaller vehicle is substantial and often catastrophic. Another main difference between a truck and car accidents is the costs associated with the investigation process due to its complexity and time.
WHAT IS MY TRUCK ACCIDENT CASE WORTH?
Advocates USA has truck accident attorneys that are experienced and familiar with the strategies used by insurance companies in truck accidents. Insurance companies typically offer a low payout to settle rather than providing the compensation you deserve. After an accident, insurance companies, the truck company, and often state authorities launch their investigation about the details and the cause of the crash. Our truck accident attorneys will do the same, looking at every fine detail of the accident.
Every case is different. However, insurance companies and lawyers use a similar formula to determine the pain you may be suffering and the level of your injuries. A few factors that determine the extent of damage and what can be compensated include:
- Medical expenses and future treatment
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Property loss
- Pain and Suffering
- Mental pain and suffering
- Physical pain and suffer
- Past medical bills
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages
After your lawyers will assess the evidence, view your medical records, speak with witnesses, view photos, reports, and statements from medical and field experts to determine the extent of damage and whether you are progressing or regressing. From here, we can provide you with an estimate of compensatory damages that you could be awarded.
HOW CAN A TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEY HELP ME?
Advocates USA is a result-driven firm with decades of experience fighting large insurance companies in and out of court. We have won millions of dollars for our clients who were victims of accidents.
Although our past results can not constitute our future outcomes, we do guarantee that Advocates USA will fight to get the compensation you deserve. Having an experienced truck accident attorney by your side, fighting for your legal rights is what you need during a tough emotional time in your life.
We do everything from, interview witnesses, speaking to insurance companies, reviewing camera footage and accident reports, speaking to medical experts, file lawsuits, ensure critical evidence is preserved by the truck company-information that is in their black box by sending the truck company a spoliation letter, to obtaining drug and alcohol testing from the driver.
We will fight every detail for our clients. We have a network of highly qualified experts and investigators that contribute to the success of our law firm.
DO YOU NEED A TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER?
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, call our truck accident attorneys at 1-800-872-4878 or fill out our contact form. We are a contingent fee personal injury law firm, and you will not pay unless we win or settle your lawsuit for you.
Our personal injury attorneys at Advocates USA service all South Florida from Miami, Coconut Creek, Jupiter, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Pompano, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach up to Port St. Lucie.
