On average, semi-trucks in Florida can weigh up to 9,000 pounds. When these large vehicles are involved in traffic accidents, catastrophic injuries can be caused. These truck accidents cause a great deal of devastation to families across the state every year.
If you or someone you love has unjustly been injured in an Orlando truck accident, you must contact our team at The Law Place today. We can fight for your right to compensation. Not only will you have suffered potentially life-changing injuries, but you may be facing financial debt due to your medical expenses. This isn’t fair.
When you hire an Orlando truck accident lawyer from our law firm, you are ensuring that your legal rights can be upheld. No truck accident claim is too large. Your lawyer can gather evidence to build you a solid case to hand to your insurance company. Truck accident claims that involve serious injuries and are high-value will typically go to court. If this happens, you can feel confident knowing that you have a highly skilled lawyer backing your case.
To organize your free consultation with a reputable Orlando semi-truck accident lawyer, phone us now at (941)-444-4444.
Common Causes of Semi-truck Accidents
It is common for trucking companies to pay their truck driver by the mile. This pressure to continue driving and meet deadlines results in many drivers operating their commercial vehicles while exhausted. Unfortunately, driver fatigue is a leading cause of truck accidents in Orlando. A tired truck driver can make irrational decisions that endanger their life and the lives of other road users. Falling asleep behind the wheel and distracted driving can result in fatal injuries.
Semi-truck accidents are also caused by poor weather and road conditions. These large trucks are vulnerable to high winds and stormy weather. They require larger stopping distances than average passenger vehicles. It can be difficult to pull a semi-truck to a complete stop when road conditions are poor.
Another leading cause of these truck accidents is poor maintenance. Not all truck drivers can be held liable for their truck accidents. If a trucking company has failed to properly service and maintain its fleet, it can be held liable in a truck accident claim for its responsibility in causing the accident.
The Difference Between a Truck Accident and a Car Accident
There are many differences between car and truck accidents in Orlando. First of all, most trucks will be commercially owned by private companies. These trucking companies are responsible for their fleets and those who drive for them. This difference in ownership between passenger vehicles and commercial trucks can complicate truck accident claims and the process of recovering compensation. These differences are explained in further detail below.
Florida Law and Regulations
The laws and regulations also differ between truck and car accidents. In Florida, the trucking industry is heavily regulated both at the state and federal levels. In some semi-truck accident cases, proving how a truck driver or trucking company violated specific state and federal regulations may be necessary.
All of these laws can be difficult to navigate and that is why we recommend that you get in contact with reputable Orlando truck accident lawyers. At The Law Place, we can help guide you through these regulations and clearly explain everything you need to know.
Insurance Policies
Typically, trucking companies in Orlando have much greater insurance limits than normal passenger vehicle policyholders. Victims of semi-truck accidents can file personal injury claims against trucking companies, but it will usually be necessary for them to deal with both the commercial insurance adjusters and the lawyers for the trucking companies.
Large trucking companies will have well-established and highly skilled legal teams working for them and this can make it difficult to recover fair compensation.
Although seeking compensation isn’t straightforward, it can be done. Our legal team at The Law Place has years of experience handling major companies and their lawyers. We know exactly how to help you win the full sum of compensation you deserve.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day. Common Injuries Suffered in Semi-truck Accidents
Truck accident injuries can be life-changing. The severity of the injuries suffered by truck accident victims will depend on how their truck accidents occurred and how much of an impact they sustained. Unfortunately, the large size and weight of these vehicles mean that most truck accidents will cause serious injuries. Some common injuries suffered in these accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
- Head injuries.
- Back injuries.
- Internal bleeding.
- Internal organ damage.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Broken bones and fractures.
- Deep lacerations.
- Amputations.
- Neck injuries.
- And more.
Our Orlando truck accident attorneys recognize that no sum of compensation will ever take away the trauma you have had to endure. Suffering life-changing injuries can have a dramatic impact on your life and it is not always easy to adapt. We want to help you as best as we can.
You should not have to face mounting medical bills because of the actions of a negligent truck driver. Let us fight for the compensation you are entitled to so that you can focus on your rehabilitation and rest. The last thing you need during such a difficult period is the prospect of debt caused by medical expenses.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience What to Do After Suffering Trucking Accidents
At The Law Place, we have helped countless clients with their truck accident cases, and we can help you too. From our experience, we can offer you some advice that can help protect your legal rights, health, and finances, if you are ever unlucky enough to find yourself as a victim of a truck accident. This advice has been outlined below.
Seek Medical Attention
First and foremost, your health is important. Regardless of everything else, you should seek medical attention after a truck accident. If you are involved in an accident with one of these large vehicles, there is a high chance that you will have sustained severe injuries.
Dialing 9-1-1 for medical responders after an accident may save your life. In addition, it is important to ensure that everyone else at the scene is safe and well. Many people will avoid calling for an ambulance because they fear medical expenses. This should not prevent you from receiving the attention you need. A truck accident lawyer at our firm can help you recover these costs at a later date.
Call Law Enforcement
You must call the police. The law in Florida requires that all substantial traffic accidents are reported immediately. Most, if not all, semi-truck accidents will require the immediate presence of the police due to the catastrophic damage and harm they can cause. At the scene of your accident, police officers will ensure your safety, manage the traffic, and complete a police report.
We strongly recommend that all truck accident victims request copies of the police reports completed at their accident scene. This is because these reports can prove to be very useful pieces of evidence in personal injury claims. If you don’t call the police, Florida Statute 316.066 states that you must file a written report of your accident within ten days.
Gather Evidence
You should try and gather as much evidence of the accident scene as possible. This should only be done, however, if you have not sustained serious injuries and are well enough to do so. You should try and take photos and videos of the accident scene, as well as make notes of the names and contact details of everyone involved. This can be a huge help to your lawyer when they build your case.
Contact Orlando Truck Accident Lawyers
The final thing you should do after suffering a semi-truck accident in Orlando is to seek legal counsel. Once you have processed the event and have sought appropriate medical treatment, you should contact a personal injury lawyer in Orlando.
Although you don’t need to seek legal help immediately, you should act as soon as you are well enough to do so. This is because the law in Florida is strict on its limitations for personal injury claims.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers. When to File a Truck Accident Claim
If you or someone you love has suffered injuries in an Orlando semi-truck accident, you should file a truck accident claim as soon as possible. Florida Statute 95.11 states that injury victims only have four years following the date of their accident to file a claim in search of compensation.
Although this may seem like a lot of time, the years can pass quickly. If you don’t claim in time, you may not be able to recover compensation. Suffering a semi-truck accident in Orlando can leave you facing mounting medical bills and other expenses. Unfortunately, many truck accident victims face the prospect of debt.
At The Law Place, our lawyers can do all they can to try and help you recover the full amount of compensation you deserve. This money can help you pay off your bills and allow you to live a happier life. Some of the compensation you may receive can be used to aid your rehabilitation and quality of life. The sooner you talk to an Orlando truck accident lawyer at our firm, the better.
What are you waiting for? Call us today to organize your free case evaluation.
Recoverable Damages in Truck Accident Claims
An Orlando truck accident lawyer at our law firm can help you recover a range of damages. Experiencing a semi-truck accident can be very traumatic. The suffering you endure during such an event will be painful enough without having to face unwanted financial stress and burden. Our team of skilled lawyers can try and help you recover the following damages in your personal injury claim:
- Medical bills.
- Future medical treatment.
- Wrongful death.
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring.
- Lost wages.
- Reduced earning capacity.
No sum of compensation will make up for the tragedy you have experienced, but it can help you and your family with your recovery. It doesn’t matter who caused your accident or why it occurred, you could be entitled to a great deal of money. Don’t let negligent drivers get away with their actions. We are here for you.
Who Can I Sue Following an Orlando Truck Accident?
An Orlando truck accident lawyer can help you sue the liable party in your case following your accident. In minor traffic accident cases, victims may wish to recover compensation from their Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policies. However, in severe cases, it may be necessary to sue the liable parties.
There is a range of parties that can be sued following semi-truck accidents in Orlando, including:
- The insurance company of the truck driver.
- The trucking company.
- The manufacturer of the truck.
- The manufacturer of a defective component.
- A dealership that serviced the truck.
- Other liable drivers.
No matter who is at fault for your accident, an experienced lawyer at our firm will try and help you recover the justice you deserve. Sustaining severe injuries can be life-changing. You don’t have to suffer alone through this.
How Can I Prove Liability in My Semi-truck Accident Claim?
Although it may be obvious who is at fault for your semi-truck accident, it can be difficult to prove fault. To prove fault, you will need to gather evidence that clearly shows the negligent actions of another party.
A lot of the evidence gathered to build your case will be taken from the scene of the accident, but there is some evidence that you will be able to collect afterward. Below we have stated some evidence that you can collect to help prove liability.
Police Reports
In serious accidents, such as most semi-truck accidents, the presence of police will be required at the scene. Police officers will always file police reports that detail their notes and observations following incidents. The information provided in these reports is important evidence that is frequently used to prove liability. If you haven’t already done so, you should request a copy of the police report filed following your truck accident.
Documents
You should also gather medical records and vehicle repair statements. These bills can help prove the severity of your accident and how your accident occurred. If the at-fault party has claimed that your injuries weren’t severe, your medical records can dismiss that statement.
Photos
Photos taken at the scene of an accident are useful in presenting to a judge how an accident occurred and how the victim suffered. It may be clear from the photos who was liable for the semi-truck accident. For example, photos that include skid marks will suggest that the other parties involved were speeding above the legal limit.
Traffic Laws
Citing Florida’s traffic laws, the vehicle code, in court can be a huge help in proving liability. Understanding these laws can be tricky and that is where our team can help you. We can use these laws to strengthen your argument in court when proving liability.
Statements
Liability can be proved through the use of witness statements. Both recorded and written observations by eye-witnesses that agree on who caused the accident can be a huge help to your case. This evidence will make the task of proving liability easier.
Type of Accident
The type of semi-truck accident can also prove liability. Some traffic accidents are seen as “no-doubt” crashes due to their nature. For example, most rear-end collisions are caused by the driver of the following vehicle. In these cases, the following driver can be held liable for failing to leave a safe distance between themself and the vehicle in front.
How Can an Orlando Truck Accident Lawyer Help Your Case?
Our Orlando truck accident lawyers can help you in a range of ways. Not only can they help you file personal injury claims and lawsuits to recover compensation, but they can offer you the support you may be looking for.
Experiencing a semi-truck accident can be very traumatic and, understandably, you may require help and support during this difficult time. A lawyer at The Law Place can answer your questions and offer you honest advice. You can trust that we have your best interests at heart.
A lawyer can also act as your legal representative. They can complete all the legal paperwork and negotiations on your behalf so that you can focus on your recovery. This should not be a stressful time for you. Let us handle all of the hard work.
Should I Hire a Lawyer for a Minor Accident?
We recommend that you hire a lawyer for a minor accident. Recovering compensation is not an easy task and it can be difficult to do in minor cases. This is because you will need to prove your suffering. At The Law Place, we have a team of highly skilled lawyers who will do all they can to try and help you receive the justice you deserve. Every case is important to us, no matter how minor or serious it is.
Our Legal Fees
At The Law Place, we operate on a contingency-fee-basis. This means that you won’t have to pay your personal injury lawyer a dollar upfront. All of our legal fees will be deducted from the final settlement achieved. This means that you have nothing to lose. We take on cases we think we can win. You can trust that your lawyer will do all they can to help you recover the best possible outcome.
We understand that seeking legal representation can be a daunting task. Our lawyers want to make the process as simple as possible for you. If you contact our law firm, one of our lawyers can explain our fee structure to you in more detail. You should not have to fear legal fees. Hiring one of our lawyers could not be easier. What are you waiting for?
Get in Touch With an Orlando Truck Accident Lawyer at The Law Place Today!
A trucking accident can change a person’s life forever. The injuries and trauma frequently suffered by victims of semi-truck accidents can be debilitating. At The Law Place, we want to help you recover the compensation you deserve. You should not have to suffer mounting medical bills because of an accident you played no fault in.
Regardless of whether you have suffered a semi-truck accident, a tractor-trailer accident, or a tow truck accident, we have a truck accident lawyer for you. For an opportunity to discuss your case and receive some honest legal advice, contact us now for a free consultation. Our team is available to take your call 24/7.
There is no time to lose. Schedule your free consultation by calling us now at (941)-444-4444.
