Apollo Beach Truck Accident Lawyers
Providing Aggressive Legal Representation for Large Truck Accident Victims
The consequences of trucking accidents can be devastating for accident victims and their families. The trucking industry is an extremely significant part of our economy. Current statistics show that over 2 million tractor-trailers are operating on our roads today, representing approximately 4.3% of all highway vehicles.
In the most congested areas, every fourth vehicle is a tractor-trailer. According to the American Trucking Association, nearly 70% of all of the freight tonnage moved in the United States is transported by large trucks.
With all the tractor-trailers on the road, trucking accidents are inevitable. Weighing thousands of pounds and being able to travel at high speeds, a tractor-trailer accident can have deadly consequences, as most result in at least one fatality.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Florida trucking accident, you should seek legal counsel immediately. At SouthShore Injury Attorneys, our experienced attorneys are available to assist you around the clock. Contact our Apollo Beach, FL, law firm to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and how we can help.
Why are The Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Apollo Beach?
Truck accidents can occur at any time for several reasons. However, unlike other vehicle accidents, truck collisions can result in serious injuries and even death. The Apollo Beach area has several roads with few medians and shoulders. Roads in other areas have low visibility, making them prime targets for accidents.
Additionally, while most commercial truck drivers abide by the law and take safety issues seriously, others engage in negligent or reckless behavior that places other drivers who share the road with them at risk.
In other instances, drivers are sometimes encouraged or forced to engage in riskier behavior when faced with unreasonable deadlines from their employers. Companies that operate trucks and hire drivers are also responsible for ensuring their equipment is safe and their drivers have adequate training and supervision.
Some other factors frequently cited in accident reports include:
- Speeding/reckless driving
- Failure to obey traffic laws
- Distracted driving
- Laco of experience or driver training
- Driving under the influence
- Driver fatigue
- Improperly loaded trailers
- Failure of trucking companies to perform routine maintenance
If it can be proven that the loading company improperly loaded the trailer, they may also be held liable for injuries and other damages.
If you have been involved in a truck collision, remain on the accident scene and obtain a police report for your records. Even if you do not think you are injured, it is critically important that you seek medical attention to ensure that you do not have internal injuries. Lastly, be sure to hire a skilled Florida truck accident lawyer like SouthShore Injury Attorneys, who can assist you with filing a claim.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Recover After Being Injured in a Truck Accident?
Individuals who have been injured in truck accidents typically sustain serious injuries that result in unexpected medical expenses and lost income. Injured parties often face a financial crisis due to their inability to work.
Like car accident claims, Florida law allows truck accident victims to seek compensation in personal injury cases. Personal injuries often include broken and fractured bones, whiplash, and head injuries. However, due to the overall size and weight of most tractor-trailers, accident victims may be left to deal with catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries.
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, injured victims may be able to recover compensation for out-of-pocket expenses and non-economic damages.
Out-of-pocket expenses may include compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Property damage
Non-economic damages refer to non-monetary losses that do not have a fixed dollar amount. Non-economic damages, if awarded, are based on the unique facts and circumstances involved in the accident and may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional trauma
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
To learn more about the compensation you may be entitled to recover after a truck accident, contact our Apollo Beach, FL, law firm to schedule a free consultation to learn more.
Whose Insurance Pays for Truck Accident Injuries in Florida?
Florida is a no-fault state for determining whose personal injury protection (PIP) coverage pays out on personal injury claims. Therefore, accident victims turn to each party’s auto insurance company to recover compensation for their injuries and other losses up to the term limits specified on their policies.
However, coverage limits are often quickly exceeded when parties are involved in truck accidents. State law allows an injured party to file a lawsuit against the negligent party responsible for the crash. Unfortunately, trucking companies face numerous lawsuits yearly and have legal teams looking for ways to deny claims. Sadly, providers who insure trucking companies also try to blame victims for causing accidents so they can undervalue claims.
Therefore, anyone involved in a truck accident must hire a personal injury attorney who can evaluate the case and determine negligence. When determining liability in a commercial vehicle accident, the truck driver is often found to be responsible for the collision. Additionally, a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer may also be able to prove that the trucking company was negligent in maintaining its vehicle.
Cases can become more complicated if the truck driver is leased to a trucking company or if they work for themselves as independent contractors.
Because the legal process of filing a truck accident claim can be overly complex, it is always best to hire an experienced truck accident lawyer to assess your claim and determine who should be held responsible for damages.
What Makes Your Legal Team the Right Choice for My Personal Injury Claim?
SouthShore Injury Attorneys is a law firm passionately committed to assisting Hillsborough County personal injury victims with their legal needs. Our attorneys recognize that truck accidents can have severe consequences for victims and their families.
Our attorneys have extensive knowledge of truck accident law and the financial resources to investigate personal injury cases fully. Our dedicated team of legal professionals will thoroughly evaluate your personal injury case and determine who should be held liable, including the truck driver and trucking company.
In most commercial truck accidents, victims sustain injuries that require further medical treatment, such as physical therapy and rehabilitation. In other instances, victims suffer life-changing injuries that leave them permanently disabled, with their families struggling to provide care and make ends meet.
Our truck accident attorneys will fight to help you seek compensation that will adequately provide for your current and future needs, allowing you to have the peace of mind you deserve.
When you come to us for help, we will help you complete the necessary paperwork to file a claim, act as your liaison with the insurance company, and, if necessary, take your case to court to help you receive the justice you deserve.
Contact our Apollo Beach truck accident lawyers at 813-797-5998 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a qualified legal professional who will gladly evaluate your case.