If you or a loved one was injured in a life-altering accident involving a commercial truck, you could be facing growing medical debt and lost income from missing work. Recovering compensation can be complicated after a truck accident due to the unique legal issues involved.
Our Boca Raton commercial truck accident attorneys are knowledgeable in Florida personal injury law and experienced in handling all types of motor vehicle collision cases. Our law firm is committed to securing maximum compensation for Palm Beach County truck accident victims.
Reach out for a free case evaluation with one of our Boca Raton truck accident lawyers today.
Severe Injuries Sustained by Truck Accident Victims
A collision between a car weighing 4,000 pounds and a fully loaded truck weighing 80,000 pounds can result in wrongful death or injuries, including the following:
- Soft tissue damage
- Back and neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
You must seek the representation of a skilled Boca Raton personal injury lawyer if you or a family member sustained serious injuries in a collision. Our skilled attorneys are here to help you get the financial recovery you are owed.
Compensation After a Boca Raton Commercial Truck Accident:
If you or a loved one was involved in a Florida tractor-trailer truck or semi-truck collision, you might be entitled to substantial compensation for your injuries and damages. A lawyer who understands the severity of truck accident injuries can review your case and calculate your damages.
Florida law compensates truck accident victims for economic, non-economic, and (occasionally) punitive damages. The following damages may be awarded as part of a settlement or judgment after a commercial truck accident:
- Medical expenses: In most truck accident cases, medical expenditures are a huge part of the claim. After initial treatment and rehabilitation, victims often need continued medical care due to their injuries.
- Lost wages: Whether a victim was employed, self-employed, or a business owner, accident recuperation time is a loss they can sue for. Injuries can often prevent victims from working as they did before. They may have to switch from active to sedentary work or from a higher-paying position to a lower-paying one.
- Pain and suffering, including emotional anguish: In addition to physical pain, accident injuries can cause mental and emotional harm, and that damage is often recoverable.
- Disfigurement: Collisions can leave lifelong scars and alterations in an accident survivor’s appearance. This form of loss is also recoverable.
- Disability: Long-term injuries impact the victim’s life forever. Fortunately, Florida law allows permanent injury claims.
- Diminished quality of life: Truck accidents can deprive victims of many of life’s pleasures. Losing the ability to enjoy a hobby or pastime can justify further compensation under Florida personal injury law.
- Wrongful death expenses: This damage includes more than just funeral and burial expenses. Florida law allows recovering the deceased’s income and services. The emotional damage to a surviving loved one is also compensable in many cases.
- Loss of companionship: A truck accident might kill a spouse, significant other, or close relative, devastating a family. Certain wrongful death cases include companionship damages.
- Punitive damages: Although rarely awarded, punitive damages punish wrongdoers for extreme negligence or maliciousness. Also known as “exemplary damages,” this kind of compensation punishes egregious behavior and serves as a deterrent to others.
Federal and State Regulations for Truck Operators
Semi-truck operators must follow all federal and state regulations and carry insurance policies with higher limits than those required for standard vehicle drivers.
Regulations specify the permitted weight for a rig and the length of time the truck driver can drive without rest. They also govern manufacturing, repair, and quality control guidelines.
Federal Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates interstate trucking companies and sets safety rules for all commercial vehicles. FMCSA oversees the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which enforces motor carrier laws on trucks operating within the U.S.
State Regulations
Florida has its own regulations governing truck operations at the state level. These regulations are enforced by the Department of Transportation (Florida DOT).
An experienced truck accident attorney from our law firm can investigate your case to determine whether the truck driver or trucking company violated any of these regulations.
Pursuing Compensation After a Commercial Truck Accident
After a commercial truck collision, you must remember that you are not negotiating with large trucking companies on an equal playing field.
These businesses have a lot of experience dealing with car and truck accident investigations and claims. When pursuing a truck accident claim, you’ll deal with insurance adjusters, accident investigators, and, ideally, an attorney.
Insurance Adjusters
Adjusters for insurance companies may seem friendly. However, their goal is to decrease your compensation or deny your claim outright. Because of this, we strongly advise you to speak to an experienced attorney before talking with an insurance adjuster.
The other party’s insurance company could use something you say to an adjuster against you, which could destroy your case.
Accident Investigators
Large trucking companies often have expert accident investigators on call at all times. When the company learns of an incident, qualified personnel rush to the scene.
These experts conduct thorough investigations to minimize the trucking company’s exposure to a lawsuit. All this goes on while victims and their families deal with issues related to hospital care, medical treatment, or funeral preparations.
When victims pursue legal action, insurance companies and trucking companies already have a robust legal defense. Since the other side often gets a head start, taking action as soon as possible is crucial to protect your interests.
Attorneys
In situations like these, getting in touch with a seasoned Boca Raton truck accident attorney is vital. Our lawyers are ready to investigate your claim and preserve important evidence to prove your case against powerful companies and their insurance providers.
Victims of trucking accidents need representation from qualified personal injury attorneys who specialize in trucking accidents. Our experienced truck accident lawyers are well-versed in the intricacies of this complex practice area and will fight for the compensation you are entitled to.
We have extensive experience working on accident cases involving one or more trucks and are familiar with relevant laws. We are also keenly aware of trucking and insurance company defense tactics.
Proving Fault Is at the Core of Truck Accident Claims
All personal injury claims revolve around the issue of fault. However, determining who is legally responsible for your injuries can be tricky. To prove legal negligence, you must show that the at-fault party behaved recklessly or carelessly or failed to take precautions that contributed to the accident.
With many state and federal regulations for commercial trucks, the driver or their employer likely violated a state statute or FMCSA regulation. If so, your lawyer can use this evidence to prove negligence. Parties who could be liable for your injuries include the following:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Truck owner
- Trailer owner
- Cargo loader
- A truck manufacturer or parts manufacturer
- Mechanic or maintenance provider
- Another motorist
Why You Need a Lawyer After a Florida Trucking Accident
When investigating a truck accident, our experienced Boca Raton truck accident lawyers will pore over the evidence to determine whether the driver and trucking company complied with the regulations set forth by the FMCSA.
In many cases, determining whether the driver’s log books and other records were completed correctly or even altered after the accident requires specialized knowledge. It would be best if you had a lawyer familiar with the trucking industry’s common tactics.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident in Boca Raton, our personal injury attorneys will put our decades of experience to work to help you receive the financial recovery you need for all you’ve endured.
Florida Statute of Limitations
Every state has a statute of limitations, the legal timeframe in which you may file a claim in the civil court system. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Florida is two years from the accident date, as set forth in Florida Statutes § 95.11.
This includes injuries sustained in a commercial truck accident and is an important timeframe to note. If you do not file your claim with the Florida courts before the two-year window closes, you will not have your case heard in court, nor will you have the opportunity to recover any compensation for your injuries.
If you are filing a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a deceased loved one, the deadline is generally two years, per Florida Statutes §95.11. Extenuating circumstances can sometimes change these deadlines. That said, there is much to be done in these cases, so it’s always best to take action immediately.
Paying for Legal Services
Our Boca Raton personal injury lawyers can imagine how much you’ve lost and are sensitive to the difficult financial circumstances that the accident may have caused you and your family.
Because of this, you are not responsible for the initial consultation and won’t owe anything until you collect damages from the other party. We are committed to helping South Florida accident victims regardless of their financial situations.
Providing legal representation on contingency means clients don’t pay upfront for our services. We only get paid when we get you a settlement or award, so there’s no risk in retaining our legal services. Our initial consultation is always free, and we can meet you where you are.
Injured in a Commercial Truck Accident in Boca Raton? Let us Help
At GED Lawyers, we know how emotionally traumatizing it is to be involved in a commercial truck accident. We realize that, in addition to physical injuries, you may face mounting medical bills and loss of income. Don’t let the at-fault party’s insurance company take advantage of you! Let us help.
Our skilled team of attorneys is knowledgeable in Florida law and successful in securing compensation for truck accident victims. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation with a Boca Raton commercial truck accident lawyer.
