The results of a semi-truck accident can be catastrophic. When these trucks crash into other vehicles, cyclists, or a pedestrian, the injuries and damages are severe due to the sheer force of a large truck that weighs thousands of pounds.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a truck accident, an experienced truck accident lawyer at Weinstein Legal can help you. With a detailed knowledge of Florida trucking and traffic laws, we are dedicated to helping clients fight for their rights. Victims of these crashes deserve compensation for their injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, and mental anguish.
More than 26,000 large truck accidents were reported throughout Florida in 2015, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles. Hundreds of people were injured in these accidents, while nearly two dozen lost their lives. Some of the common causes for truck accidents in Florida include:
- Driver inexperience
- Fatigued driving
- Distracted driving
- Failing to obey traffic signs/signals
- Speeding
- Texting and driving
- Failing to adhere to federal regulations
While the driver may have been the one who caused the accident, in many cases trucking and cargo companies may also be held liable for an accident. If a company hired a driver with a poor record, or if the cargo company failed to load the goods properly, it may have contributed to the crash, and they may be held liable for an accident.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Many vehicles are safer than ever due to the inclusion of various airbags and other safety devices. Still, semi-trucks can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds. When compared to a regular sedan weighing 5,000 pounds, the force of a truck can lead to serious injuries regardless of airbags and other safety devices. Some injuries victims may suffer include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Traumatic brain injury
- Whiplash
- Heart Attack
- Lost Vision
These injuries can lead to exponentially longer recovery times, high medical bills, and wages lost while the person cannot return to work until they are fully healed. An experienced truck accident attorney near me can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free consultation by filling out our contact form now.
Commercial Truck Accident
The results of a commercial truck accident can be catastrophic. When these trucks crash into other vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians, injuries and damages are devastating. The sheer force of a commercial truck is a threat of over 80,000 pounds and 28 feet of piercing metal, which can cause life-threatening injuries.
If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in a commercial truck accident, Florida truck accident attorneys at Weinstein Legal can help you secure the compensation for damages that you rightly deserve. With a detailed knowledge of Florida trucking and traffic laws, he is dedicated to helping clients fight for their rights.
Victims of truck crashes deserve compensation for their injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, and mental anguish. Schedule a free consultation with our commercial truck accident attorneys at Weinstein Legal today.
Fill out our contact form to get started.
What Is Considered A “Commercial Truck”?
A commercial truck is any large truck, also referred to as an 18-wheeler or semi-truck, that is operated for a commercial purpose. This means that the truck is considered a part of the business, and is being driven for the purpose of that business.
Types of commercial trucks commonly seen in Florida include:
- Big Rigs
- Cargo Trucks
- Concrete Trucks
- Construction Trucks
- Delivery Vans
- Dump Trucks
- Fuel Trucks
- Garbage Trucks
- Logging Trucks
- Moving Vans
- Steel Trucks
- Tanker Trucks
- Tow Trucks
- Tractor-Trailers
Commercial trucks may be owned directly by a business and can be recognized by the logos printed on either side of the vehicle. In Florida, is it common to see larger delivery trucks, such as FedEx and Cheney Brothers Inc., both on the highway and making their presence known on smaller streets? Larger moving vans such as Rooms-To-Go and U-Hauls are also often clearly marked.
However, commercial trucks can be leased from an owner by a company. In this case, it can be more difficult to tell what business the truck belongs to from the first glance. This is typical of big rigs, tractor-trailers, and even fuel trucks, who move discretely through the state.
Have You Experienced Any of These Common Commercial Truck Accident Injuries?
Semi-trucks can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds, so they can inflict a lot more damage than a regular sedan that weighs only 5,000 pounds. While any injury following a truck accident is serious, here are some of the more common injuries that we’ve helped clients recover compensation for.
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Traumatic brain injury
- Whiplash
These injuries can lead to exponentially longer recovery times, high medical bills, and wages lost while the person cannot return to work until they are fully healed. Experienced truck accident attorneys at Weinstein Legal can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Schedule a free consultation by filling out our contact form now.
Liability in Commercial Truck Accidents
Following an accident with a commercial truck, you might be unsure about how to pay for the damages that are accruing. From medical bills to lost wages, suffering an accident with a vehicle as large as a truck can often put a victim out of work for months. Being hit by tons of freight can result in life-changing injuries. But, you don’t need to suffer in silence.
Unlike an accident with another passenger vehicle, being involved in an accident with a commercial truck entails several levels of liability. This is because, as with an Uber or Lyft accident, it’s not just the driver that can be held responsible for your injuries, but also the company that employed the driver. This is because of a legal doctrine known as “respondeat superior,” which states that employers are always responsible for the negligent actions of their employees, so long as the driver was acting in the course of their employment.
For instance, if you were struck by a commercial truck that was en route to a delivery, that would constitute as the driver operating under the typical course of employment. In this case, the employer would be just as legally responsible as the driver for an accident.
Generally speaking, commercial companies carry much larger insurance policies than their drivers, under the assumption that in the case of an accident, the company will be responsible for compensating a victim for their injuries. However, this larger insurance policy also makes the insurance company far more likely to push back on a claim. With the representation of a knowledgeable truck accident attorney, you drastically improve your chances of successfully securing the settlement you deserve.
Seven Levels of Liability in Truck Accidents
In the case of a commercial truck accident, the levels of liability continue to extend. The list of parties that could be held liable for your injuries includes:
- The Owner of the Truck: Oftentimes the individual who owns the truck does not belong to the company that leased it. According to Florida law, owning a vehicle that is used in an accident caused by a negligent driver can still allow an individual to be held liable.
- The Broker of the Truck: Brokers are responsible for aligning the vehicle with a business that could use it for their services, such as the delivery of cargo. These individuals have the responsibility of inspecting the vehicle as well as the safety record of the drivers they’re contracting and can be found liable if an issue is found with either.
- The Shipper or Loader of the Truck’s Cargo: If the truck was hauling freight or transporting material or liquid, such as fuel, whoever loaded the cargo can be held liable if something goes wrong and causes an accident.
- The Manufacturer of the Truck or the Truck’s Parts: If an accident was caused by an issue with the vehicle, such as faulty brakes, the manufacturer can be held liable.
- The Truck’s Mechanic: When something mechanical occurs with the truck that causes an accident, the vehicle’s mechanic can be found liable for the damages. It is assumed that with regular services, an issue of that caliber would have been recognized and fixed by the mechanic before the truck returned to the road.
- The Driver of the Truck: Of course, the driver operating the truck at the time of the accident can be held responsible for any injury incurred in the accident.
- The Company that Employed the Driver: As per the respondeat superior, the company who employed the driver can be found equally liable for the accident.
The several levels of liability involved in commercial truck accidents can intimidate many personal injury lawyers. At the Weinstein Legal Team, our seasoned truck accident attorneys don’t shy away from accidents that include major insurance policies. In fact, we view them as opportunities to secure the victims of these deeply traumatic accidents as much compensation as possible.
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a commercial truck, contact Weinstein Legal today. Our dedicated attorneys will help you work through these seven levels of liability to determine which path could grant you the maximum compensation for your personal injuries.
What to Do After a Commercial Truck Accident
As with all automobile accidents, the most important thing to do after an accident with a commercial truck is to seek medical attention for yourself and your passengers. Get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all parties involved, as well as any witnesses. Be sure to take photographs of all injuries, as well as any damage to any of the vehicles.
In the days following a truck accident, obtain a copy of the police report for your crash or a qualified truck accident attorney can also assist. Begin to keep track of all doctor’s visits and treatment you receive, as well as collecting copies of all test results, medication prescriptions, treatments, and any other relevant medical information. Likewise, begin a detailed list of any out-of-pocket expenses you incur, including the cost of your transportation to and from the doctor’s office.
Additionally, it is recommended to keep a journal of any symptoms or pain you experience, as the severity of your injuries can inflict a variety of side effects as time wears on. Record missed days of work or other activities, and get an evaluation of the property damage from your insurance company. Most importantly, never accept a settlement offer from an insurance carrier unless you have consulted with a trusted truck accident lawyer near you.
Building a Case After a Commercial Truck Accident
Building a case after a commercial truck accident can seem intimidating at first. Between needing to keep track of countless medical bills and expenses, and paying out of pocket for services you might not necessarily be able to afford, the pain of your injuries and stress of the accident can be overbearing. This is where an experienced commercial truck accident lawyer comes in. From the initial consultation, truck accident attorneys at Weinstein Legal can begin to advise you, taking the necessary steps to build you a compelling case.
Commercial truck accidents require thorough investigation. Immediately after an accident, the insurance companies of each involved party will likely dispatch their own investigators, looking for a way to shift liability for the accident away from themselves.
A personal injury lawyer will take on the role of investigating your case, collecting necessary evidence including all medical documents and proof of damages.
Your attorney will also be obtaining:
- Police reports
- Motor carrier records
- Witness statements
- Photographs of the scene and the resulting injuries
- Safety logs
- Expert witnesses for truck accident cases
- Medical witnesses to support your injuries
The sooner you enlist the help of a trusted truck lawyer, the quicker we can get to work building you a case for compensation. Florida law only gives victims four years to file a claim after an accident, and that clock begins ticking immediately following an accident.
If You’ve Been Injured In By A Commercial Truck, We’re Here To Help
Truck accident claims can be complicated as they can involve the driver, the company that hired the driver, the company whose goods the driver was transporting, other parties in the accident, and several insurance companies. Contact the Weinstein Legal Team to discuss your case with an experienced accident attorney today.