While garbage trucks provide a vital service to the people in Florida, they also cause a number of motor vehicle accidents every year. As large and heavy vehicles, garbage trucks can cause a catastrophic amount of damage and destruction if they cause an accident. Unfortunately, this means that the driver and any passengers in the involved vehicles often sustain severe and life-changing injuries. Because of this, if you have been involved in a garbage truck accident, you should contact The Law Place today.
If the collision wasn’t your fault, then you may be entitled to thousands of dollars in compensation, and our lawyers will ensure you get every cent you deserve. Although financial compensation can’t heal the injuries or the trauma that you’re suffering from, it will be able to help you manage any bills that you may be facing and serve as proof that some form of justice has been served.
The attorneys at The Law Place have over 75 years of combined experience of working on a variety of different cases and successfully helping their clients secure the compensation that they deserve. So, if you’re considering filing a personal injury claim, you can trust that The Law Place will be able to help and guide you through the process. By working alongside us, you’ll be guaranteeing that you are giving yourself the best chance at winning your case and getting everything you’re owed.
To schedule a free consultation with us today, contact our law offices at (941) 444-4444!
What Commonly Causes Garbage Truck Accidents in St. Petersburg, FL?
There are many reasons why a garbage truck accident may happen, but listed below are the most common ones:
- Negligent or reckless driving – If a driver is violating the rules of the road, for example, by speeding, then this can lead to a destructive accident.
- Distracted driving – In today’s world, drivers can be easily distracted, whether by eating and drinking, using their cellphone, or even just speaking to a passenger. However, if a driver isn’t paying adequate attention to the road and their surroundings, then this can result in a lethal crash.
- Driver error – If the driver failed to identify a hazard or stop sign, or made an error such as understeering or oversteering, then this can cause a truck accident.
- Driving under the influence – If a driver is drunk or under the influence of drugs, then they will not be able to drive safely, meaning that they are more likely to crash.
- Fatigued driving – When drivers work long hours, they can become fatigued easily, which can impair their driving ability.
- Poor weather – Florida often experiences heavy and sudden downpours, and this can leave the roads slippery and limit visibility, which can lead to accidents.
- Location – Garbage trucks are large, wide vehicles, and so the likelihood of an accident increases when they are driving down heavily populated areas, where there are more pedestrians and residential areas with narrow roads.
Regardless of the exact cause of the accident, as long as you weren’t at fault, you could be entitled to compensation. So, if you were injured in a garbage truck accident that wasn’t your fault, contact The Law Place today and find out if you are entitled to compensation, and if so, what your next steps are. We offer a free consultation to anyone with a potential personal injury claim, so contact us today to schedule yours!
What Injuries Are Often Sustained in Garbage Truck Accidents?
All types of car accidents can leave victims suffering from injuries, and many of them are severe and life-changing. In extreme cases, people can even lose their lives. However, accidents involving trucks, such as garbage trucks, often cause a lot more devastation because they are larger and heavier than the majority of other vehicles on the road.
Listed below are some injuries that are most commonly caused by garbage truck accidents:
- Soft tissue injuries, for example, lacerations, burns, and bruises.
- Fractured and broken bones.
- Traumatic brain/head injuries, for example, concussions.
- Neck injuries, for example, whiplash.
- Spinal cord and back injuries.
- Internal organ damage.
- Internal bleeding.
- Wrongful death.
If you have sustained one of the above injuries, or any others, because of a truck accident that wasn’t your fault, then you may deserve compensation. Our legal team at The Law Place will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding your case, and if your claim is valid, they are more than ready to fight for the justice that you deserve. So don’t delay! Contact our law firm today to arrange a free case evaluation with a skilled truck accident attorney.
What Are the Regulations for Garbage Truck Drivers in St. Petersburg, Florida?
Because trucks have the potential to cause severe damage if involved in an accident, there is a range of regulations that truck drivers and companies must follow. These can be found in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations and training standards.
Not only this, but as garbage trucks are included in the large weight category of vehicles, all drivers must have a Class A or Class B license before operating one. If someone is caught driving a garbage truck without one of these licenses, or they breach any of the regulations, then they can be held liable for any accidents that then happen.
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Who Is Liable in a Garbage Truck Accident?
When you first get in touch with The Law Place, our attorneys’ first move will be to determine exactly what caused the truck accident and who was responsible. This can often be more complicated than you may expect, and so it’s important that you work with a reputable law firm, like ourselves, to ensure this is done correctly.
The parties that are most commonly at fault for garbage truck accidents include the following:
- Garbage truck driver – If the truck driver who was involved in the accident breached their duty of care, and drove in a negligent way that caused the accident, then they could be found liable. Examples of this include driving while under the influence, speeding, or being on their phone.
- Private waste management company – The company that owns the garbage truck has an automatic responsibility to maintain their vehicle and make sure that their drivers are well-trained and do not drive negligently. They must also ensure that they are not forcing their drivers to work long, unmanageable hours, as this can lead to them becoming fatigued.
- Government entity -If the leading cause for the truck accident was the road conditions, poor signage, or something else maintained by the government, then the government could be held liable.
- Truck manufacturer – If the truck manufacturer supplied defective parts, then they have broken the law, and if the defective part resulted in the truck accident, then you may be able to successfully sue them for your losses.
- Maintenance crew – If the crash was caused by a mechanical fault, then the maintenance crew could be held liable for the accident as they failed to notice and amend the issue.
In many cases, more than one party can be held liable for a truck accident. If this is true to your case, our knowledgeable and experienced personal injury lawyers will be able to file a claim against all of the parties and ensure that you get the justice that you deserve.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
Florida’s Comparative Fault Law
Under Florida Statute 768.81, each party involved in a car accident can be assigned a percentage of fault based on the specific circumstances of the accident. This means that even if you are a victim of a garbage truck accident, you could be deemed partially to blame if you acted in a way that led to or exaggerated the consequences of the crash. As long as your percentage of fault is under 50%, you’ll still be able to file a personal injury claim, but the final settlement you receive will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you were speeding when you were hit by the garbage truck, you could be declared to be 20% at fault for the accident. Any compensation you win will therefore be reduced by 20%.
The defense team will fight hard to ensure that your percentage of the blame is as high as possible, so their clients don’t have to pay out too much, which is why you need a skilled truck accident attorney on your side. They will work tirelessly on your behalf to ensure that you get every cent that you deserve. To speak to some of the best lawyers in St. Petersburg, contact The Law Place today and schedule your free consultation.
What Damages Can Be Claimed After a Garbage Truck Accident in Florida?
Once a truck accident lawyer has determined who is at fault for your accident, they can then calculate how much compensation you could be entitled to based on the losses and suffering that you’ve endured because of the crash. There are a number of damages that a truck accident victim can claim, and our team at The Law Place can help you with this.
The most common damages that attorneys at our law firm have secured compensation for include the following:
- Medical bills – If you required medical attention because of injuries you sustained in the truck accident, then you deserve compensation to cover the cost of this medical treatment and any related expenses.
- Pain and suffering – If you are suffering from any physical injuries, mental trauma, emotional distress, or loss of enjoyment in your life, then the courts should award you with compensation. However, as this is difficult to prove, you need to hire a skilled Florida personal injury lawyer to represent you in court and fight for your rights.
- Lost wages – If you were forced to take time off work because of your injuries, then you may be entitled to financial compensation that covers the wages you lost. If the injuries are so severe that you cannot return to work, either at all or in the same capacity as before, then you may be able to claim a loss of earning potential.
- Property damage – It is likely that your vehicle was damaged as a result of the collision. If this is the case for you, then any repair or replacement costs should be included in your final settlement.
- Wrongful death – If your loved one has died because of an auto accident that wasn’t their fault, then you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit, which should cover all funeral expenses and loss of consortium.
If you have been involved in a St. Petersburg truck accident that wasn’t your fault and thought you might deserve compensation, then you should contact The Law Place. Our law firm offers a free consultation to anyone who thinks they have a personal injury case. During this consultation, a highly-qualified personal injury attorney will discuss your individual case and the entire process with you, answering any questions you may have. If they think that you have a valid claim, you can choose to start working with us straight away, where we will guide you every step of the way and fight to ensure you get the compensation that you deserve.
When Should You Contact a St. Petersburg Truck Accident Lawyer?
You need to act immediately if you have been involved in a truck accident in St. Petersburg. Under Florida Statute 95.11, you can only file a claim or lawsuit within four years after the date of the accident. If you wait longer than four years, then your case will be automatically dismissed.
Therefore, it’s imperative that you contact The Law Place as soon as possible. The sooner you do, the more time our lawyers will have to investigate your case and build your claim, meaning that you’ll have a much better chance at winning your case and receiving the compensation that you deserve. Our law firm offers a free case evaluation to anyone who believes they have a case, so don’t hesitate to contact us today!
How a Truck Accident Lawyer Could Help You
Before you file a lawsuit, it’s crucial that you hire a personal injury attorney who has an abundance of experience in working on cases that are similar to yours. This will mean that they have the knowledge and skills that are required to build a strong case and to represent you in court. Some specific ways that our St. Petersburg lawyers would help you are:
- Answer any questions you may have regarding the legal process or your specific case.
- Offer valuable and reliable legal advice.
- Investigate your case thoroughly.
- Gather relevant evidence, such as eyewitness statements and police reports, which will strengthen your claim.
- Assess the value of your case and calculate how much compensation you’re entitled to based on employment records, doctor’s statements, medical bills, receipts, and more.
- Negotiate a fair settlement with the defense team.
- If an agreeable settlement can’t be reached, then they will fight for your rights in court.
If you have been involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault in Florida, then you have the right to hold the at-fault driver responsible for the injuries and damages that you sustained because of their negligence. Our experienced St. Petersburg attorneys have the knowledge and extensive resources necessary to build your claim and fight for you in court in order to ensure that you receive the justice you deserve. So, to begin the process of securing the compensation that you’re owed, call us today and arrange a free case evaluation.
How Much Will a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost Me?
At The Law Place, all of our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that, unless we win your case, you will not be charged a single cent. In the likely event that we are successful, you still won’t have to pay us anything out of your own pocket – instead, we’ll simply deduct our legal fees from your final settlement!
Our team adheres to all the guidelines set out by the State Bar Association of Florida, as these rules are in place to ensure that our clients are treated fairly and our contingency work is monitored by The Bar. This means that you can be assured that you will face no surprise fees. If you wish to better understand our fee system, we highly recommend that you contact us today and schedule a free consultation to speak to one of our truck accident lawyers.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer at The Law Place Today!
At The Law Place, we understand that the aftermath of an auto accident can be incredibly hard to deal with for the victim, and we want to help you get the justice that you deserve. If you or a loved one have been injured in a garbage truck accident in St. Petersburg that was not your fault, then you should contact The Law Place today. Most of our lawyers are AVVO 10.0 rated, and so you can be sure that by working with us, you’ll be giving yourself the best chance at receiving the compensation you’re owed.
Our phone lines are open 24/7, so don’t hesitate! Contact us at (941) 444-4444 and book your free case evaluation now!