Stuart Trucking Accident Lawyer
Compassionate Treasure Coast semi-truck crash attorneys
If you've been injured in a crash involving a large truck, commercial or otherwise, you're not alone. Florida has multiple ports of entry and is a hub of national trade and export. This means that there are thousands of large trucks on Florida's roads at any given time. When the drivers of these trucks fail to maintain proper safety practices behind the wheel, other drivers may find themselves in real danger. Big trucks can cause devastating injuries. If you've been in an accident involving a large Semi-truck or any other truck in Martin County, Florida, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our dedicated and Truck accident lawyers in Stuart are here to protect your rights and will fight to help you get what you need to recover from an accident involving a truck.
Most common truck-related accidents in Florida
Truck accidents come in many different forms. The severity of your injuries and damages can vary depending on the type of truck accident:
Careless driving
Commercial truck drivers are usually trained to know the risks and dangers of operating large vehicles at high speeds. However, just because they've been trained doesn't mean that they will always apply their safety training in real-life situations. Truck drivers may be excessively tired, distracted, under the influence of illicit substances, or speeding. Negligent driving causes more accidents annually in Florida than in almost any other state. Commercial truck drivers who have been careless on the road must be held liable for the damages that they cause, and the Stuart truck accident attorneys at Leanne L. Ohle, P.A. can help you do just that.
Blind spots
Tractor trailers and have significant blind spots. When a truck driver fails to maintain proper lookout before turning or merging, accidents can happen. Small vehicles may be pushed off the road or flipped after being impacted by a Semi-truck. This can be deadly for the drivers and passengers inside of the smaller vehicle.
Runaway trucks
When a truck driver loses control of a vehicle, the weight of the truck can cause it to go speeding down the highway, decimating anything in its path. This can happen on roads that slope or on even ground if the truck is already moving at high speeds. Runaway truck accidents can be catastrophic causing severe injuries and in many cases, death.
Jackknife accidents
Tractor trailer trucks have coupling attachments. When couplings malfunction or become unbalanced, the trailer can swing out from the tractor and may collide with other vehicles. This jackknifing motion can cause the trailer or the tractor to directly impact other vehicles head-on. This can cause all kinds of injuries and damages to other Stuart drivers.
CONTACT US TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION
Losses sustained by truck collisions
With truck accidents, the losses and injuries are often far greater than they would be when other, smaller motor vehicles, are involved. It's easy to see why. Massive 18-wheelers weigh more than smaller cars, trucks, and SUVs. Even pickup trucks can cause significant damage to smaller vehicles. These losses can truly be overwhelming. If you have been in a truck accident, we will review your case and tally up your losses so that you can be sure that you'll receive adequate compensation for damages and suffering.
When structuring your lawsuit, our truck accident attorneys will factor in your medical expenses, estimated future medical costs, lost wages, future lost earnings, pain and suffering, and disability or disfigurement. Since losses can be extensive, there may be quite a lot at stake in your personal injury claims case. Our attorneys are well aware of this and will apply their skills, experience, knowledge, and legal training to help ensure that your case has the best possible outcome in court.
How to proceed if you've been hurt in a truck accident
If you've been injured in an accident involving a truck, there are a few things that you can do to help ensure your case will have a better resolution. If you've been involved in an accident with a commercial truck, it's important to remember that you may face resistance as you file your claim. Trucking and construction companies have been known to try and protect their own. The company who employs the truck driver behind the wheel of the truck that hit you will probably do what they can to try to minimize your claims. Insurance companies can also be difficult. Since Florida is a no-fault state, your insurance company and the insurance company of the offending driver may try to pay you less than you deserve. That's why it's so critical to handle things correctly from the earliest stages of your case.
We strongly urge you to contact a personal injury attorney before speaking to anyone from your insurance company. Our lawyers can meet you at your home or in the hospital if need be. Your attorney will be able to advise you as you speak with insurance representatives. At Leanne L. Ohle, P.A., an experienced Stuart truck accident attorney will work to protect your best interests from the earliest stages of your truck accident case.
Avoid sharing the details of your accident or any personal information on social media after being injured. The attorney fighting against you may use your social media posts to say that you aren't as injured as you claim to be. Talking about your case in any public format can cause you problems as your lawsuit progresses. Your lawyer will be able to tell you what's safe to share and what you should probably keep to yourself until your lawsuit has reached a conclusion.
Log everything you remember
As soon as you can, it's a good idea to objectively write down everything that you can remember from your accident. This can help your attorney track down witnesses and gather evidence to support your case. Knowing the facts of your case can also be helpful if you have to testify in court.
Leanne L. Ohle has a team of caring and dedicated lawyers and legal experts who are ready to help you get through the rough times you may be in. We understand that the ramifications of a truck-related accident can be severe. Our lawyers will fight to ensure that you will be compensated fully for your suffering. If you've been in a truck accident, there's a good chance you aren't at fault. The sooner you contact one of our experienced personal injury attorneys in Stuart, the sooner we can help you start getting your life back.
TRUCK ACCIDENT FAQs
Who is liable for my truck accident?
The determination of liability depends on the facts of the accident. Truck accidents can muddy the picture of who is responsible due to the multiple parties who have ownership or other responsibilities for a truck and its operation. A truck driver who was reckless, distracted, drowsy or intoxicated could be at fault. The trucking company itself may be liable if it acted negligently, such as failing to perform necessary maintenance. Truck parts manufacturers will be subject to your personal injury claim should the cause of the accident lie with a defective part. At times, other third parties bear the blame. For example, a cargo loader may have made errors that resulted in a crash.
How do I get evidence about the cause of a truck accident?
When possible, a truck accident victim should get information about the trucker's insurance and hours of service log. Taking pictures of the accident always aids a case by presenting hard facts about the nature of the crash, such as placement of vehicles and extent of damage. A police officer responding to the accident may cite important details in a report about apparent speed of vehicles, weather conditions and whether a truck driver appeared intoxicated or admitted to being tired or distracted. A victim has a right to request this report from the responding agency. Getting contact information from witnesses may also lead to testimony that strengthens an accident claim. Unfortunately, a seriously injured person will not have the ability to collect evidence or ask for insurance information at the time of an accident. In that case, a relative, friend or lawyer could track down information.
How does an hours of service violation affect my truck accident case?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets hours of service rules for truckers that establish maximum amounts of time that they can be behind the wheel on any given day. These regulations are intended to combat the problem of truck driver fatigue, which causes drowsy driving and increases the chances of drivers making mistakes. An hours of service violation creates the possibility that you can sue the trucking company. The employer could then face liability for a driver's actions because the employer may have encouraged the driver to work longer than is allowed by law. The failure to comply with regulations makes proving negligence easier.