The roads in the US today are more saturated with commercial truck vehicles than ever before. This is largely due to the increasing trend of purchasing goods online, which has resulted in increasing numbers of trucking company delivery trucks taking to the roads.
DHL is one of the leading courier, parcel, and express mail companies that operate internationally. In total, they have 380,000 members of staff who deliver over 1.3 billion parcels each year. As a result, DHL delivery trucks are on the roads each and every day, making the chances of an accident increasingly likely.
Whilst less frequent than car accidents, accidents involving trucks can have devastating and sometimes fatal consequences. Due to the sheer height, weight, and size of the vehicle, victims are often left dealing with severe injuries and costly vehicle damage.
The Law Place has a team of Clearwater truck accident attorneys with over 75 years of experience dealing with these sorts of cases. If you have found yourself involved in an accident involving a truck and it wasn’t your fault, then you could be entitled to compensation. Our Clearwater personal injury lawyers are here to offer advice, guidance and will fight to win your case. Contact us today on (941) 444-4444 and receive a free consultation with one of our lawyers.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Clearwater?
Truck accidents are caused for a variety of reasons ranging from issues with the vehicle itself to the person behind the wheel of the truck. Some of the more common causes are:
- Defective vehicle parts or poor maintenance of the vehicle – Due to the amount of time trucks spend on the road, it is important to check the vehicles regularly to make sure they are roadworthy.
- Trucking company negligence – Trucking companies often look to maximize their profits and sometimes cut corners in order to do so. Companies have a duty of care to look after their staff, and when this is neglected, an accident is increasingly likely to occur.
- Improperly loaded cargo – When cargo is loaded onto a vehicle incorrectly, it can often make the vehicle hard to control or steer, increasing the chances of an accident.
- Driver negligence – Truck drivers spend a lot of time behind the wheel, and sometimes they can become overconfident and not pay as much attention to the road as they should.
- Driver’s under the influence of alcohol or drugs – Sometimes, drivers turn to illegal substances to keep them going on the road. However, these can have a negative impact on the brain and affect their ability to focus and make decisions.
- Driver fatigue – Often, truck drivers travel long distances to deliver parcels and spend long hours behind the wheel. Drivers can become tired easily; this may decrease their awareness and ability to react quickly.
- Stopping and standing hazards – Truck drivers frequently stop and start their vehicles whilst delivering packages. Often, they stop their vehicle in an inappropriate place, meaning other vehicles and pedestrians are left to maneuver around the heavy goods vehicle. In turn, this presents a hazard and greatly increases the chance of a road accident.
What Should You Do if You Find Yourself Involved in an Accident With a Truck?
If you are unfortunate enough to experience a truck accident in Clearwater, then it is strongly advised that you contact a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. The sooner the accident is reported, the quicker an accident attorney can begin working towards gathering information and evidence to support your case.
By seeking the advice of a personal injury attorney, they will work to gather important information and evidence that can be used to support your case. They will most likely visit the scene of the accident to check for any road markings or skid marks, as well as any important road signs. Your lawyer will also seek to gather testimonials and statements from any witnesses to the scene. All of this evidence can be used to strengthen your claim and increase your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.
In the United States, it is a legal requirement for all trucks to be fitted with an Event Data Recorder device, otherwise known as a black box. These black boxes continuously gather information from the truck and can provide critical evidence as to what the truck was doing before, during, and after the accident.
If you are unable to report your case or seek legal advice after a truck accident, then there is no need to panic. Under Florida Statute 95.11, you have up to four years from the date of your accident in which to report it and make a claim. At The Law Place, our personal injury lawyers are here to help you with your case. Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so we can be on hand to offer support and guidance when you need it most.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day.
How Can the Florida Statute of Limitations Affect My Case?
Establishing liability for any vehicle accident can be a tricky process. With truck accidents, this can be increasingly difficult as there is often more than one party found liable. The Event Data Recorder device that is fitted in every truck can prove vital in establishing liability for the accident, as the device will have recorded information from before, during, and after the accident.
As highlighted in Florida Law statue 768.81, Florida operates under a comparative negligence scheme. This means that if there is more than one party found liable for the accident, they will only pay for the amount of damages that they are liable for. For example, if the truck driver is found to be 8% responsible, then they will pay for 8% of the damages, and the other parties that are found to be liable will pay for the remainder of the damages.
Depending on the circumstances of your Clearwater truck accident, liability may be placed on any of the following parties:
- The truck driver.
- The trucking company.
- The truck or parts manufacturer.
- The insurance provider.
- Third-party companies.
At The Law Place, we are on hand to help with establishing liability and who was at fault for your accident in Clearwater, FL. Our accident attorneys are here to guide you through what can be a complex process and support you with your case every step of the way.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience
What Are the Most Common Injuries Sustained After a Clearwater Truck Accident?
The injuries sustained for any vehicle accident can range from minor damage to life-changing injuries. Due to the weight and enormous size of trucks, often, the injuries sustained are serious. Some of the most common injuries sustained are:
- Lacerations, cuts, and burns.
- Head or neck injury.
- Back injury.
- Internal bleeding
- Pain and suffering.
- Fractured or broken bones.
- Loss of life.
No matter the severity of the injury, at The Law Place, we understand how traumatic an accident can be, which is why we will fight to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
What Damages Can You Claim for After a Truck Accident?
Truck accidents can cause severe damage, both physically and mentally, and even financially. Depending on the circumstances of your accident in Clearwater, FL., your accident attorney may be able to file for a variety of damages. These damages may include.
- The reimbursement of any medical expenses from the past, present, or future.
- Lost wages.
- Loss of future earning capacity.
- Wrongful death. This includes funeral expenses and any lost wages, companionship, or changes to your lifestyle.
- Reimbursement of any additional costs. For example, transportation to medical appointments or childcare support.
In addition to the damages above, if, as a result of the accident, you are unable to live the life you were living before, then you may be able to claim compensation for any emotional distress and trauma. We understand no amount of compensation can make up for the trauma you have faced, but at The Law Place, we are here to support you in any way we can.
How Can an Accident Attorney Help Me?
If you have found yourself to be a victim of a Clearwater truck accident, then you should seek the help of an accident lawyer today. At The Law Place, our team is on hand to guide you through the legal process and support you with your case to ensure you receive the compensation that you are entitled to.
Large trucking companies such as DHL will have a strong legal team to support them as they will have most likely dealt with many truck accident cases before. The DHL team will be highly skilled and will work to minimize any claims from truck accident victims, so the sooner you seek legal support, the better.
At The Law Place, we offer a free consultation to all our customers. During this consultation, we will assess your specific case to check its legitimacy. An accident lawyer will then offer some no-obligation advice and discuss how best to proceed with your case.
If you choose to proceed with your claim, we will then organize a more in-depth consultation and explain the ways in which we can support you. From here, an accident lawyer will take on the case, taking away any undue stress and allowing you the time you need to rest and recover from your truck accident.
Regarding our fee structure, all our truck accident lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means that you will not pay for anything upfront. Only once you receive your settlement will a fee be deducted. If for any reason, your case is unsuccessful, then you will not pay anything.
It is beneficial to know that all contingency work is monitored by the State Bar Association. This association sets limits on what an accident lawyer can charge. At The Law Place, we will ensure that you fully understand the costs at the start of the process, so you are not left with any uncertainty about our fees.
Call The Law Place Today
If you or someone you know has been involved in a Clearwater truck accident, then The Law Place is here to help. We have over 75 years of combined experience in dealing with cases like yours, and we will work to achieve the compensation that you are entitled to.
Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can get started with your claim whenever it suits you best. Call us today on (941) 444-4444 and receive a free consultation with one of our accident lawyers.
