According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, over 400,000 car accidents occur every year in the State of Florida. Road traffic accidents can result in devastating consequences, including life-changing injuries, lost wages, large medical bills, and, in some cases, death. These accidents can be devastating, especially when a fuel truck is involved. This is because fuel trucks usually carry highly flammable substances such as gasoline and other fuels, which may cause a large explosion during a collision with another vehicle. This can make it difficult to assess the crash site and determine who may be liable for the accident. That is why seeking the best legal representation is highly important to ensure you receive the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a Port Charlotte fuel track accident, contact The Law Place today. Our team of personal injury lawyers has over 75 years of combined experience in personal injury law and works tirelessly so that our clients get the compensation they deserve. A truck accident attorney at our law firm will evaluate your case and advise you on all available legal options going forward.
Contact The Law Place today for a free consultation with one of our experienced lawyers at no obligation. Our lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us now at (941) 444-4444.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Port Charlotte
There are many causes of truck accidents that can result in serious injuries. Large vehicles, including fuel trucks, are more prone to accidents as they are more susceptible to blind spots. This means that smaller vehicles such as cars and motorcycles are less likely to be seen by truck drivers on the road, which could lead to an accident. Also, fuel trucks are larger and heavier than most vehicles on the road, which makes it more difficult for the driver to brake suddenly, change direction quickly, or make an emergency stop. For example, if a car driver was to stop abruptly or change lanes without warning, the truck driver may not be able to react quickly enough to avoid a collision.
Other common causes of truck accidents in Port Charlotte include:
- The inability of other drivers to correctly estimate a truck’s size in order to safely maneuver their vehicle next to or behind the truck.
- The truck driver did not receive sufficient training from the trucking company.
- The truck driver being distracted by things such as loud music, other passengers, or their cell phone.
- Overloading of the truck’s cargo, making the vehicle too heavy.
- Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
- The vehicle having a malfunction, including faulty brakes, broken tail lights, and flat tires. Malfunctions such as broken turn signals make it difficult for other vehicles to know when the truck is changing lanes, which could result in a crash.
- Tiredness of truck drivers caused by driving for long hours, often without a break. This can result in a lack of concentration, which may cause an accident on the road.
No matter the cause of the accident, motor vehicle accidents can be life-changing for victims and leave them with serious injuries and damages. If you or someone you know has been involved in a fuel truck accident in Port Charlotte, you may be entitled to compensation. Get in touch with The Law Place and speak to one of our Florida personal injury lawyers to find out how much you may be owed.
Common Injuries From a Fuel Truck Accident
Auto accidents can lead to many injuries for all parties involved, and fuel truck accidents are no exception. Collisions with fuel trucks can actually lead to more devastating consequences not only due to the size of the vehicle but also the flammable substances involved that can causedisastrous explosions. Some potential injuries from a truck accident include:
- Broken bones and fractures.
- Burns and deep lacerations.
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Internal bleeding.
- Wrongful death.
Injuries caused by an accident involving a fuel truck are often severe and can result in both physical and psychological pain and suffering. These accidents can leave victims with life-changing injuries such as chronic pain, which may be difficult to completely heal. Here at The Law Place, we understand that many truck accident victims may be left with large debts to cover medical care and other expenses. Call us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney to receive professional legal advice and guidance on your case.
Liability for Fuel Trucks Accidents in Florida
Fuel trucks are used to transport highly flammable substances across highways, often at high speeds. If a collision involving a truck carrying substances such as gasoline and industrial chemicals occurs, it can result in an explosion that can cause serious injuries and even death. Therefore, it is important that truck drivers take the utmost care while driving their vehicles.
A truck driver might be liable for negligence if the auto accident was caused by reckless driving. However, it is often the case that trucking companies are held liable for an accident. For example, the trucking company may not have adequately trained their drivers, or they may have overloaded trucks with more than the maximum amount of cargo permitted. Also, some trucking companies overwork their drivers and fail to monitor working hours, leading drivers to become tired and more likely to be careless while driving. When trucking companies do not adhere to certain regulations set out by Florida law, truck accidents are more likely to occur. These companies must be held to account in order to reduce the likelihood of accidents occurring in the future.
All fuel trucks in Port Charlotte must adhere to the rules and regulations unique to these vehicles set out by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If these regulations have been violated, the trucking company may be liable for any accidents involving their fuel truck. Facing large trucking companies can seem like a daunting task. However, you are not alone in your legal battle. Our team of truck accident attorneys at The Law Place understands the complexities of the Florida legal system and are experts in helping our clients receive the most compensation possible. Contact our law firm today and see how we can help you.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience
What Damages Can Be Claimed?
Here at The Law Place, we know that road traffic accidents can leave victims with debilitating injuries and many costs to cover. If you or a loved one has been in an accident involving a fuel truck in Port Charlotte, you may be able to claim compensation. It is important that victims receive the compensation they are entitled to so that they don’t have to cover the costs from their own pocket. Things that can be claimed for due to a truck accident include:
- Property damage – Victims of motor vehicle accidents are often left with damages to their property. Their vehicle may be damaged as well as other personal items inside the vehicle at the time of the accident, such as a cell phone or GPS system, which can be very expensive to replace.
- Medical bills – Medical treatment, including surgery and therapy, can be very expensive. An attorney at The Law Place can help you claim for present and future medical expenses so that you don’t have to worry about costly hospital bills.
- Lost wages – A truck accident may require you to take time off work due to the injuries sustained, which can result in you losing money. A personal injury lawyer can help determine how much money you may be entitled to and help you claim for past and future losses of income.
- Pain and suffering – Calculating how much you may be owed for psychological trauma and emotional distress can be difficult. Contact us today for a consultation at no charge with one of our experienced accident attorneys so that we can determine how much money you may be entitled to.
- Wrongful death – If you or someone you know has lost a loved one due to a fuel truck accident, we are here to get you the justice and compensation you deserve. Under Florida Statute 768.21, family members of the deceased can recover funeral costs as well as losses of income of the deceased loved one.
At The Law Place, we understand that no amount of money can fix the physical and mental trauma of an auto accident. However, compensation can ease the burden of large debts and offer some peace of mind during difficult times. Contact us today for a free case evaluation, and let us fight to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
What Can Our Personal Injury Lawyers Do for You?
One of the most difficult tasks in regards to fuel truck accident cases is determining who is to blame. Many trucking companies have ample experience in fighting such cases and do everything in their power to avoid liability. This includes repairing their vehicles soon after an accident to limit the evidence that could be used against them. An experienced personal injury lawyer at The Law Place understands how trucking companies operate, which is why, after reviewing your case, we act quickly and efficiently to gather all the necessary evidence in order to strengthen your case as much as possible.
As per Florida Statute 627.7407, the State of Florida is a no-fault state. This means that regardless of who was at fault, all parties involved in an accident must file a claim with their own insurance company. More often than not, the cost to cover injuries and damages from truck accidents is more than the insurance policy limit. If this is the case, victims of these accidents have to seek compensation elsewhere. What’s more, insurance companies will often try to devalue claims made by their clients so as to reduce the amount of money they have to payout. Just like any other business, the main objective of an insurance company is to make as much profit as possible while minimizing expenditures. At The Law Place, we prioritize the interests of our clients and put them before profits so you can rest assured that your case is being properly dealt with.
It is essential that you hire professional and experienced legal representation that stands up against greedy insurance companies. At The Law Place, our lawyers have ample experience with fuel truck accident cases in Port Charlotte. Third parties, including your own insurance company, may not have your best interests at heart, but we do. After supplying all necessary information about your accident to a lawyer at The Law Place, we will be able to determine how strong your case is and how much money you may be entitled to claim. Our team will analyze all evidence available such as police reports and CCTV footage, and work tirelessly to help you achieve a fair settlement. Call us as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation with one of our top truck accident lawyers.
Contact The Law Place Today
If you or a loved one has been involved in a Port Charlotte fuel truck accident, get in touch with The Law Place today. Fuel truck accidents can cause serious injuries and/or damages to all involved, which is why we strive to ensure that our clients get the compensation they deserve. Our law firm understands how expensive dealing with a legal case can be, which is why we offer a free consultation where you can receive impartial legal advice. We also work on a contingency basis, which means that if you’re not successful in your case, we won’t charge you for our services.
Facing the legal process can be stressful for many, but you are not alone. We are here every step of the way to make sure that you receive the best support and guidance throughout this process. The needs of our clients are our number one priority, and fighting for justice is extremely important to us.
Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so we’re here whenever you need us. Call us at (941) 444-4444 for free legal advice from a lawyer at The Law Place and find out how much money you may be owed.