The weight and size of a truck mean that it can cause much more damage than any other motor vehicle on the road. An accident involving a truck can lead to serious personal injury, property damage, or even wrongful death in Port Charlotte.
If you were injured in a Port Charlotte truck accident, then you have a legal right to seek compensation from the at-fault party. However, it is often difficult to determine the liable party in the case of a truck accident as there could be multiple parties to blame for the injuries that you sustained.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of collective experience when it comes to assisting people who have been injured in Port Charlotte and throughout the State of Florida. Our law firm is aware of the devastating damage and injuries that truck accidents can cause, and we want to be the ones to secure the compensation that you deserve.
Our team of truck accident lawyers has the necessary skills and resources to manage your case, and they are not afraid to go up against the trucking company and the insurance company involved. Do not hesitate to call one of our truck accident lawyers today, and they will discuss your legal options.
Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today, and a personal injury lawyer will fight for the compensation that you deserve following a truck accident in Port Charlotte.
Common Types of Truck Accidents in Port Charlotte, FL.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported over 480,000 accidents involving large commercial vehicles across the United States of America in the year 2015 — 97,000 of these truck accidents led to serious injuries, and 3,838 resulted in death. There are many types of accidents involving trucks which can cause varying degrees of injuries and damages depending on the circumstances surrounding each individual case. The most common types of truck accidents include:
- Rollover truck accident – It is quite easy for a semi-trailer to tip over when a driver moves too fast around turns and corners due to the truck’s high center of gravity. A truck can also roll over if the driver moves too fast in high winds or makes a sudden driving maneuver. A rollover truck accident can also cause blockages on the road that can lead to a chain reaction accident.
- Jackknife truck accident – When the coupling that connects the tractor and trailer of an 18-wheeler fails or the trailer swings perpendicular to the tractor, it creates the shape of a folding jackknife. A jackknife trailer can create widespread damage and collide with motor vehicles in the adjacent lane.
- Cargo spills truck accident – The cargo that a truck carries can fall out of a trailer onto the motor vehicles behind them or into the road where cars can crash into them.
- Runaway truck accident – In the event that a driver loses their ability to slow down or stop their vehicle, the weight of the truck can barrel down the highway at a fast rate and crash into anything that stands in its path. A runaway truck accident often happens when a truck is traveling downhill, but it can also occur on even ground.
- Override truck accident – A truck can drive onto the back of another motor vehicle in the case of a rear-end crash. In some cases, a truck can even drive over the back seat of a smaller vehicle, which can cause serious damage to a backseat passenger.
- Underride truck accident – When a smaller motor vehicle crashes into the back of a truck that has suddenly stopped or made an improper lane change, it can cause an underride crash. The front of a smaller vehicle becomes wedged underneath the truck, which can kill the driver and a passenger in the front seat.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Port Charlotte, call 941-444-4444
Types of Trucks in Port Charlotte, FL.
The Law Place has years of experience when it comes to representing many types of truck accidents – from minor cases to major cases. Our law firm will investigate your case to determine the type of truck that caused your accident and the amount of damage that occurred. The main types of trucks include:
- Semi-truck.
- Tractor-trailer.
- Heavy truck.
- 18-wheeler.
- Tanker truck.
- Big rig.
- Flatbed truck.
- Dump truck.
- Garbage truck.
- Cement truck.
- Mack truck.
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Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Port Charlotte, FL.
There are many factors that can contribute to causing a truck accident in Port Charlotte. However, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported that the majority of truck accidents are caused by driver error. A list of common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Speeding.
- Tailgating.
- Distracted driving.
- Fatigued driving.
- Aggressive driving.
- Violations of FMCSA regulations.
- Other violations of traffic laws.
- Improper securing or loading cargo.
- Hiring unqualified drivers.
- Inadequate management and supervision of truck drivers.
- Driving with serious health problems.
- Inadequate inspection or maintenance of trucks
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What to Do After an Accident in Port Charlotte, FL.
- Health and safety – It is imperative that you check to see if you have sustained an injury following a truck accident. Once you have checked yourself over, check on everyone else involved in the crash. If there is an injury, you must call an ambulance as soon as possible.
- Move away from danger – If you are in the middle of danger, move to a safer place.
- Police department – You are required to call the police to the scene of the truck accident that caused personal injury, property damage, or death, according to Florida Statute 316.062.
- Contact information – It is essential that you exchange contact information with the truck driver and anyone else involved. Contact information includes names, phone numbers, insurance information, and vehicle registration numbers. If it is possible, ask the truck driver for their cab license number, the contact information of the cab owner (if the driver does not own the vehicle), insurance information, name of the trucking company who hired or own the truck, information regarding the cargo in the truck (if applicable).
- Pictures and videos – If you are not seriously injured, take pictures and videos of the scene of the accident, injuries, property damage, road marks, and more. If there were people that witnessed that crash, then ask for their contact information as they might be willing to provide a statement of their version of events at a later date.
- Medical treatment – You must receive medical as soon as possible following a truck accident. Do not refuse an exam from an ambulance or doctor.
- Documentation – Keep all forms of documentation, such as medical bills, receipts, invoices, and references.
- Hire a Port Charlotte truck accident lawyer – You should hire a Port Charlotte truck accident lawyer from The Law Place to manage your personal injury claim and win the compensation that you deserve. Call us to set up a free consultation today.
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Compensation for a Truck Accident in Port Charlotte, FL.
Our law firm will analyze your case, determine the extent of the damages, and calculate the amount of compensation that you could be owed after a truck accident in Port Charlotte. We have years of experience when it comes to recovering compensation for the following losses:
- Medical bills – We will recover compensation for your medical expenses, including prescription medication, physical therapy, surgery, rehabilitation, hospitalization, doctor’s visits, and more.
- Lost wages – We will recover compensation for your lost wages, changes to your income, and a reduced earning capacity since you have been unable to work following your injury.
- Property damage – We will recover compensation for the costs to repair or replace your motor vehicle and other damaged property.
- Pain and suffering – We will recover compensation for a reduction to your quality of life, including physical pain, emotional trauma, and mental anguish.
- Wrongful death – We will recover compensation for a loss of a loved one by filing a wrongful death lawsuit in line with Florida Statute 768.21.
Liability for a Truck Accident in Port Charlotte, FL.
Our team of truck accident lawyers will research your case in order to figure out who should be held liable for your crash. It is important to note that liability in a truck accident could extend beyond the truck driver. Here are the additional parties to consider who could be held liable for your accident:
- The employer of the truck driver.
- The owner of the truck.
- The manufacturer of the truck (if the accident was the result of a defective part).
- The third-party contractors or responsible business for the cargo.
Contact The Law Place Today in Port Charlotte, FL.
If you were hurt in a truck accident that was not your fault, then you should get in touch with a personal injury lawyer who can help you to recover the compensation that you are owed. It is not fair that you should suffer as a result of someone else’s negligent actions, and we will provide zealous representation for your case in order to get what you deserve.
The Law Place has over seventy-five years of combined experience when it comes to protecting the legal rights of clients who have been hurt in truck accidents in Port Charlotte and all over the State of Florida. Our law firm understands the complexities of a truck accident case, and we will guide you through the legal system efficiently.
Our law firm will negotiate with the trucking company and the insurance company to secure the compensation that you are owed. Rest assured that our team of personal injury lawyers will achieve justice for you and for your family in Port Charlotte. Call us to set up a free consultation now, in which a truck accident attorney will discuss the details of your case. Phone lines are opened 24/7.
Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today, and a personal injury lawyer will fight for the compensation that you deserve following a truck accident in Port Charlotte.
Call or text 941-444-4444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form