Truck accidents can often be one of the most dangerous and severe incidents to occur on the roads in Florida. The sheer size and heavyweight of the truck can often mean devastating damage and injury occur as a result of a collision, which can often have life-changing consequences. According to The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, around 400,000 truck accidents occur every year in Florida, with over 3000 of those leading to fatalities.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Bradenton, then it is likely that you will have sustained damage and injury, at least to a certain extent. As a result, you are likely to be entitled to compensation, and therefore it is strongly recommended to seek legal advice from an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident.
At The Law Place, we have a highly skilled team of personal injury lawyers with over 75 years of collective experience in successfully handling cases similar to yours. We understand how traumatic and life-changing a truck accident can be, which is why our adept Bradenton truck accident attorneys will be there to support you every step of the way and guide you through the legal process. Our Florida phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can call us at a time that suits you best and relax in the knowledge that a competent truck accident attorney will be on hand to help. Call us today at (941) 444-4444, and arrange a free consultation today.
Florida Speeding Laws
Speed limits in Florida are set according to the type of road or highway. The exact speed limit of each individual road in Florida is signposted clearly at the side of the road. As a basic rule, speed limits are usually set at 70 miles per hour or less for a highway and 30 miles per hour or less for a residential or commercialized area.
Florida’s Basic Speeding Law also highlights that drivers must use their best judgment when it comes to choosing a speed to drive at that is safe and reasonable. For example, in bad weather conditions, where visibility is poor, whilst the signposted speed limits will remain the same, more often than not, drivers will look to reduce their speed in accordance with the conditions of the road.
Speed limits may also be reduced when:
- Approaching a blind corner.
- Driving along a narrow or winding road.
- Approaching a sharp bend in the road.
- At a crossing or intersection.
What Are the Most Common Causes for Truck Accidents in Bradenton, FL?
There are a number of reasons why truck accidents occur in Florida. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website lists some of the most common reasons for truck accidents. These reasons can be split into three categories:
Driver Related
- Fatigued drivers.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI)
- Driving over the posted speed limit.
- Driver negligence, such as not paying attention to the road and their surroundings or misjudging a situation, such as the braking speed.
- Illegal maneuvering.
Vehicle-Related
- Issues with the vehicle’s brakes.
- Tire problems such as worn tires.
- Poorly loaded cargo, which can make a truck increasingly hard to maneuver.
Environmental Factors
- The conditions of the road.
- Weather conditions.
- External hazards.
Contact The Law Place to get started with your case today. Our Bradenton truck accident attorneys have an abundance of experience in dealing with the Florida legal system. They will work their best to ensure you receive the compensation that you are entitled to.
What Should You Do Following a Truck Accident in Bradenton, FL?
If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself involved in a truck accident in Bradenton, then there are a number of steps you can take to ensure the safety of yourself and others. Steps can also be taken at the scene of the accident to help with the understanding of how the accident was caused, as well as establishing liability and gathering evidence that may be used to support you with your case.
Immediately after a truck accident, the most important first step to take is to make sure all those involved in the accident are as safe as possible. This may mean moving away from the scene of the accident, or away from oncoming traffic, or a damaged vehicle. It is also important to check yourself for any injuries before checking on any others that were involved in the collision. It is worthwhile noting that offering assistance to others following an accident is a legal requirement. Call the police and medical services if possible and await their arrival.
Once the authorities are at the scene and anyone that is injured is being cared for by the appropriate party, you can then begin gathering evidence from the scene of the accident. Such evidence may include:
- Taking photos from the scene of the accident, including the vehicles involved, the weather and road conditions, as well as any skid markings.
- Details of the truck’s vehicle registration, make, and model.
- Details of the truck driver, including their name, address, insurance provider, as well as the name of the trucking company that they work for.
- Note down details of any witnesses to the scene of the accident, including their names and contact details.
- Note down the name and badge number of the police officer that arrived at the scene of the accident. If you are in need of an accident report, the details of the police officer at the scene may be advantageous in helping you to locate it faster.
- Anything else that can be used as evidence or that may indicate the cause of the accident.
After you have gathered evidence and have been treated for any injuries caused as a result of the accident, it is then strongly recommended to seek the expertise of an accident attorney as soon as possible. A highly skilled truck accident lawyer will be able to assess the evidence and will work to build a powerful claim that may increase the chances of you receiving compensation.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience
What Damages May You Be Able to Claim Following a Truck Accident?
As with every road collision, depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident, there are often a number of damages that you may be able to claim. Such damages may include:
- Medical expenses from past, present, and future bills – This includes any expenses incurred from traveling to and from medical appointments.
- Loss of income or any potential loss of income – If your injuries have prevented you from returning to work, then you may be eligible for compensation.
- Property damage – This includes any damage to your vehicle as well as any personal belongings that were destroyed or damage as a result of the accident.
- Wrongful death – If you are unfortunate to lose a loved one as a result of the truck accident, then you will be entitled to compensation that covers funeral expenses and loss of consortium.
In addition to economic damages, you may also be deserving of compensation if you have suffered emotional distress and trauma following the truck accident. This is also known as pain and suffering.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
Establishing Liability for a Truck Accident in Bradenton, FL.
Establishing liability for a road collision is an important step in any legal case. However, establishing liability for truck accidents can often be increasingly complex as sometimes there is more than one party that can be held liable for the incident. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the truck accident, any of the following parties may be found to be liable:
- The driver of the truck.
- The trucking company.
- The truck manufacturer.
- The parts manufacturer.
- Third-party providers.
It is also worthwhile noting that Florida operates under a comparative negligence scheme. This means that if there is more than one party found to be liable for the truck accident, then they will be liable to pay for the damages according to the percentage that they were found to be at fault. As an example, if the driver of the truck is found to be 40% liable, then they will be required to pay for 40% of the damages.
At The Law Place, we have a highly skilled team of Bradenton truck accident attorneys, who have an abundance of experience in handling cases similar to yours, and dealing with the Florida legal system. Call us today to arrange a free consultation with an adept personal injury lawyer.
Contact The Law Place Today!
If you or a loved one has been unfortunate enough to be involved in a truck accident that wasn’t your fault, then it is highly likely that you may be deserving of compensation. At The Law Place, we have a team of adept accident lawyers with over 75 years of combined experience in handling a variety of cases.
We understand how traumatic and stressful a truck accident can be, which is why our team of attorneys will be there to support you every step of the way. At our law firm, we pride ourselves on developing trusting attorney-client relationships built on transparency and honesty. A competent Bradenton truck accident lawyer will be there to support you through the legal process and will work to ensure you receive the best possible outcome for your case. Many of our attorneys are AVVO rated 10.0, which is the best possible ranking. This rating is awarded based on trial skills, length of service, and awards, as well as client testimonials and reviews.
Our Bradenton phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can call us at any time of day, and rest assured, an experienced personal injury lawyer will be on hand to help. Contact us at (941) 444-4444, and arrange a free consultation with a skilled personal injury lawyer today.