As many road users already know, road traffic accidents involving large commercial trucks can result in devastating consequences. Trucks are usually much heavier and larger in size than most other vehicles on the road, which naturally makes accidents involving these vehicles more dangerous. Fortunately, the State of Florida imposes strict rules and regulations on truck drivers in order to prevent serious accidents from occurring. However, some drivers and trucking companies do not adhere to them. Trucking companies sometimes prioritize profits over the safety of other road users by asking their employees to drive their trucks with oversized loads, which can be extremely dangerous.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident, contact The Law Place today. Our truck accident lawyers may be able to prove that the accident occurred as a result of negligence on the part of the truck driver or trucking company as they loaded their truck with too much cargo. With over 75 years of combined experience, the personal injury lawyers at our law firm are experts in Florida law, and so we know how to ensure that you receive the best amount of compensation possible for your case. We offer a free consultation service so that you can receive exceptional legal advice without having to worry about being charged.
Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so someone will always be available to take your call. So, call us today at (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation with a truck accident attorney and find out how much compensation you may be entitled to.
What Is an Oversized Truck?
For a truck to be oversized, the vehicle must be bigger in size and heavier in weight than the limit established by Florida’s road safety regulations. A truck’s axles have a maximum amount of weight that they can withstand, and this amount should not be exceeded as an overloaded axle can slow down the braking time of the truck and cause other problems with the vehicle’s mechanics. A truck carrying oversized loads can also result in cargo coming loose while the truck is moving, leaving dangerous debris on the road. Also, trucks with oversized loads are prone to tipping over as the vehicle becomes unbalanced, which could lead to horrific consequences.
Depending on the size and weight of the loads, some oversized commercial trucks are, in fact, permitted to be driven during certain hours of the day in St. Petersburg and across Florida. Truck drivers are only permitted to drive overloaded trucks at certain times as long as they have received a permit from their trucking company to do so. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has established these rules and regulations for the roads in order to reduce the likelihood of a serious auto accident occurring. Nevertheless, these regulations are not always effective, and truck drivers sometimes fail to comply with them, which may lead to an accident.
Causes of Truck Accidents in St. Petersburg, FL.
As is the case with most motor vehicle accidents, there is a wide range of causes of truck accidents in the St. Petersburg area. In many cases, the fault lies with the truck driver. However, trucking companies are often held responsible for truck accidents involving their vehicle. Some common causes of truck accidents include:
- Overloading of commercial vehicles.
- Distracted driving.
- Fatigue.
- Failure of the trucking company to adequately train staff.
- Speeding.
- The trucking company failing to comply with regulations set out by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
If you have been involved in a St. Petersburg truck accident, we highly recommend contacting a truck accident lawyer, no matter the cause of the accident. These accidents can leave victims with life-long injuries as well as large medical bills, and yet, far too often, trucking companies and truck drivers successfully avoid being held accountable for their negligence. Our team of accident attorneys is here to review the circumstances of your accident and build a strong legal case so that you get the compensation you deserve. Call us today to see how much money you may be owed from your truck accident.
How Is a St. Petersburg Truck Accident Case Investigated?
After being involved in a truck accident, it’s important to seek legal representation as quickly as possible. By doing so, you increase your chances of getting the compensation you may be eligible for. After a free case evaluation from a truck accident lawyer at our law firm, our team of specialists will examine the scene of the accident and gather any valuable evidence that may strengthen your case. Evidence that may be useful from the site of the accident includes taking photos of the conditions of the roads, traffic signals, and any debris left from the collision. A personal injury lawyer will interview any witnesses who were present at the time of the accident in order to build a clear understanding of what happened before, during, and after the collision took place. Our accident attorneys are well-versed in determining what valuable evidence is and how it can be used in our clients’ favor.
Large trucks in Florida are usually equipped with an Event Data Recorder (EDR), which records important data such as the speed of the vehicle as well as its braking patterns. This information can be very useful as it can prove whether or not the truck was speeding at the time of the accident or if the driver was exhibiting strange braking patterns, which may have been caused by the heavy weight of the vehicle’s load. As this information often proves very useful in determining liability in truck accidents, trucking manufacturers and companies sometimes tamper with evidence or even dispose of it completely. What’s more, some companies are notorious for destroying important documents and paperwork that contain information about employees and vehicles so as to avoid responsibility for their negligence.
It is crucial to act quickly when filing a truck accident claim, as clients who find legal representation sooner rather than later have a better chance of receiving a good amount of compensation. Under Florida Statute 95.11, a person involved in a truck accident has a maximum of 4 years from the date of the accident occurring in order to present their case. Although 4 years seems like ample time to file a claim, we highly recommend filling your claim soon after the accident in order to give your St. Petersburg truck accident attorney enough time to collect evidence and make your case as strong as possible.
Our personal injury attorneys know exactly how trucking and insurance companies operate in order to avoid liability, so we act swiftly and efficiently to gather all the necessary evidence before they do. Contact The Law Place today to take the first step towards getting the justice you deserve.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience
Determining Liability for a Truck Accident in Florida
Determining who is liable for a truck accident is essential when seeking compensation for the accident. Accidents involving large trucks are often the most devastating of road accidents due to the heavy loads that these vehicles usually carry.
In many cases, the trucks involved in these accidents are commercial vehicles. This means that when determining liability for an accident, it is likely that other parties can be held responsible for the truck accident as the blame rarely lies solely with the truck driver. Parties that may be held liable for a truck accident include:
- The truck driver.
- The trucking company.
- The insurance company.
- The truck manufacturer.
As multiple parties can often be held liable for a truck accident, it can sometimes be difficult to determine liability. That’s why it is crucial to seek professional and experienced legal representation as truck accident cases can be very complex and difficult to navigate. Insurance companies often try to evade paying out large sums of compensation as they only prioritize profits over people. A truck accident lawyer at The Law Place has all the expertise necessary to quickly determine who was liable for your accident and also prove it. Contact our law firm for a free consultation so that we can start the legal process and establish who the liable parties are in your case.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
What Damages Can a Truck Accident Attorney Help Me Claim?
After a truck accident, victims are usually left with serious injuries as well as large debts that can be very worrying for those who have to cover them. Whether physical or financial, damages caused by truck accidents can be life-changing. Therefore, you may be eligible to claim compensation for your truck accident. Damages that you may be able to claim include:
- Medical bills – Just like in most states, medical care in Florida can be very expensive. Soon after the accident occurred, you may have received medical attention from a medical professional at the scene of the accident. Injuries sustained from a truck accident can range from a broken bone to a traumatic brain injury and often lead to large medical expenses. A personal injury attorney will be able to review your medical bills and fight to ensure you can cover the costs of these expensive debts through compensation.
- Lost wages – Truck accidents can result in victims being unable to work, which may lead to a loss of income. A truck accident attorney will analyze your average income and calculate how much money you may have lost in order to recover past, present, and future lost wages.
- Property damage – Any property damaged during the accident may be claimed with the help of a personal injury lawyer. Damaged property that you can claim could include your vehicle, cell phone, and GPS device.
- Pain and suffering – Our team of lawyers recognize that truck accidents can cause psychological trauma for victims in addition to physical injuries. Mental pain and suffering can be as debilitating as physical pain, and you shouldn’t have to suffer in silence. Damages such as these can sometimes be difficult to claim, which is why it is in your best interest to hire a qualified truck accident lawyer at The Law Place who will not stop fighting until you get the compensation that you deserve as a result of your pain and suffering.
- Wrongful death – Losing a loved one due to a truck accident can be horrific for the family of the deceased. No amount of money can replace a loved one. However, covering the large bills and expenses that usually follow a truck accident can be extremely relieving for the family members of the decedent. Under Florida Statute 768.21, family members of the deceased are eligible to claim compensation for funeral expenses as well as loss of income in the case of wrongful death.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a St. Petersburg truck accident, contact The Law Place today. We offer a free case evaluation with one of our top lawyers so that you can have an idea of the damages you will be able to cover from your truck accident before going forward with your claim. Call us today for a free consultation to see how much compensation you may be entitled to.
How Much Will It Cost to Hire a St. Petersburg Truck Accident Attorney?
At The Law Place, we realize that victims of truck accidents are already faced with large bills and are hesitant to seek legal representation in fear of receiving more expenses to cover. Hiring a team of qualified lawyers can be expensive, which is why we work on a contingency basis. This means that our clients never have to pay for our services unless we are successful in getting them the compensation that they deserve. We operate a no-win-no-fee system so that our clients won’t lose any money if they decide to let us legally represent them.
In Florida, contingency work is monitored by the State Bar Association, which regulates this type of service and guarantees that law firms across the state operate openly and fairly. Having confidence in your legal team is essential, and we believe that working in this way reassures our clients that we only want the best outcome for them.
By calling our law office, you will receive a free consultation regarding your case. A truck accident lawyer will review your case and offer useful legal advice at no fee so that you have an idea of how we work. Finding the best legal representatives for your case can be challenging, which is why we offer this service. We are confident that after a free case evaluation, you will be certain that the accident attorneys at our law firm are the most suited legal representatives for you and your case. Contact us today to speak to a personal injury lawyer. If we believe you have a strong claim, we will do everything in our power to get the justice and compensation that you could be entitled to.
Contact The Law Place Today
Large trucks often carry oversized loads, which can put all other road users in danger. Accidents involving a large truck can result in life-changing physical injuries, mental trauma, and huge financial burdens. At The Law Place, we pride ourselves on our 75 years of combined experience in tackling cases such as yours. You can be confident that your case is in the hands of experienced professionals who understand how the Florida legal system operates. A truck accident attorney at our law firm will be able to determine the most effective way of getting you the compensation you deserve.
Truck accidents can be devastating, and you don’t have to go through the consequences alone. Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can call us whenever you feel ready to. Call The Law Place today at (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation with a truck accident lawyer who can review your case and determine how much compensation you may be entitled to.