Colliding with a large moving van can change your life, especially if the accident is serious. In that case, you have the legal right to seek money for your damages. But dealing with the at-fault driver’s insurance company can be tricky. How do you know if you’re being treated fairly?
Our Cape Coral truck accident lawyer can help protect your interests. We offer a free consultation to review your case.
Common Types of Moving Van Accidents
Head-on collision: When two vehicles collide front bumper to front bumper, the results can be catastrophic. This is especially true for the driver of the smaller vehicle. The weight of the moving truck will be heavier due to the weight of the cargo, and this can cause even greater damage.
Jackknife: These accidents occur with large tractor-trailers and moving vans. The truck cab and the trailer will pivot where the trailer is hitched to the back of the cab. Because there are two moving parts to the vehicle. It’s like an arrow with two mounted arrowheads. Double the damage can be inflicted.
Rollovers: If moving vans aren’t loaded properly, the load may be top-heavy. Any quick adjustment in steering by the driver, even when switching lanes, can cause the vehicle to roll. If you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, that load could tip over onto you.
Falling cargo: When cargo falls from the back of a moving van, it can hit other vehicles on the road and do some serious property damage and personal injury. It can also cause a multiple vehicle pile-up.
Underride accident: This type of accident happens when a smaller vehicle gets stuck under a moving van. It’s extremely dangerous, especially for the smaller car.
Rear-end accidents: If you’re behind a moving van and the truck suddenly slams on its breaks, you could crash into the truck’s back end. With this type of accident, it can be difficult to know who the at-fault driver is.
What to Do After a Moving Van Accident in Cape Coral
There are several steps you should immediately take after a moving van accident in Cape Coral:
- Call 911 for police support and an ambulance if needed.
- If you weren’t taken to a hospital, still see a doctor. It can take days and even weeks for accident injuries to show up.
- Get the contact and insurance information of all people involved in the accident if you can.
- Notify your car insurance agent of the accident.
- Collect the contact information of any eyewitnesses.
- Take pictures of the crash scene from all angles.
- Call a moving truck accident lawyer for a free consultation.
Why Call Us to Help You Get Compensation
You might be facing weeks in which you cannot work, go to school, or take care of yourself and your loved ones. The last thing you need is to deal with an insurance adjuster on top of your post-accident stress.
There are other compelling reasons why you should consider connecting with a Cape Coral personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine:
- Our lawyers are negotiators and litigators who are committed to maximizing your potential compensation.
- We have the resources to get to work on your case right away, with an attorney (not an associate) assigned to your case.
- We can help you get your car fixed and help schedule your medical appointments.
- You do not pay attorney fees unless and until we successfully recover damages for you.
We offer a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us help you get through this difficult time in your life.
What You May Not Know Can Harm Your Case
Most people find more questions than answers when they try to seek compensation after a moving van accident. A Cape Coral moving van accident lawyer can sort out the circumstances and involved parties with a deep understanding of Florida’s liability and negligence laws.
We recommend that you:
- Decline to make a statement to the insurance adjuster until you can talk to a lawyer.
- Keep all receipts and bills related to the accident.
- Take pictures of your vehicle and the accident scene, if possible.
What to Do If the Insurance Adjuster for the At-Fault Driver Keeps Calling You
- Be careful when dealing with the at-fault driver’s or truck company’s insurance company. The insurance adjuster is not your friend.
- If they ask you to give a recorded statement, refuse. They may try to get you to say something on the recording that they can use against you.
- When asked questions, never speculate. Speculative answers can be twisted and taken out of context.
- Don’t sign any documents without allowing a legal professional to look them over first.
- The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to hire a lawyer to deal with the insurance adjuster directly.
You have been through a terrible ordeal, but help is only a phone call away.
Know Your Right to Compensation
Whether or not you have serious physical injuries, you can seek compensation for several damages after your moving van accident. Here are just a few of the most common ones:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Loss of wages—present and future due to reduced capacity to work
- Physical therapy
- Mental health treatments
- Prescription medication
- Ambulance fees
As the severity of your physical injuries increases, more is at stake. That’s why speaking with a moving van accident lawyer is a responsible step.
We Handle Moving Van Accidents
Moving van accidents can be complicated for a few reasons:
- There may be several liable parties
- Injuries are often more severe, and damages are higher
- Moving companies carry large insurance policies and insurance companies can make it difficult when it comes to paying claims
- Moving van drivers from other states have different insurance requirements and coverage
- Professional moving companies may be held liable for actions by their drivers
A moving van accident attorney can evaluate your case to identify liable parties and potential resources to seek compensation.
How a Lawyer Determines Liability
Four conditions must be met in any personal injury case, including a moving van accident.
These conditions are:
- Duty of care: The other party owed you a duty of care to take reasonable measures to avoid bodily injury.
- Breach of care: The other party breached this duty of care in some manner, such as running a red light or driving while intoxicated.
- Causation of injuries: This breach caused you to suffer bodily injuries.
- Damages: You have financial and emotional damages such as medical bills and emotional trauma caused by your injuries.
A Cape Coral moving van accident lawyer can secure evidence, testimony, and documentation to support your case.
We Take Care of Filing Claims and Talking to the Insurance Adjuster
Insurance claims can be rejected for several reasons. One of the most common is a lack of evidence or documentation. An attorney with our firm will obtain ample proof of your injuries and damages, such as:
- X-rays and other medical scans and images
- Photographs
- Statement by your healthcare provider
- Photos or videos of the accident scene, including debris, skid marks, and final resting place of the vehicles
- On-board vehicle information
- Witness statements
- Police reports
- Driving history
- Driver’s training and license requirements
We take care of all communication with the insurance adjuster. You will receive regular updates, and our team is never too busy to answer your questions.
Seeking a Settlement vs. Going to Court
If possible, we try to settle out of court first. It’s faster and less costly to do so. And you aren’t confronted with the at-fault driver or trucking company’s lawyer forcing you to re-visit the accident in court.
However, if the at-fault driver’s insurance refuses to negotiate or thinks you’re asking for too much, we’re not afraid to take them to court. Having an experienced lawyer who’s handled cases like these in the past will make all the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions About Filing in Cape Coral
- How much do I have to pay upfront? Our team works on a contingency-fee-basis, so you can get started without any upfront costs or fees.
- How long do I have to file in Cape Coral? In the state of Florida, there is a four-year statute of limitations. But don’t wait until the last minute. You deserve to get your money now.
- Can a lawyer help me get a better settlement? While it’s possible to settle on your own, working with a lawyer who’s handled similar cases usually results in a higher payout than if you go it alone.
- What happens during the consultation? During our first visit with you, we answer all your questions and address your concerns. We assess your case, give you our suggestions for moving forward, and estimate damages.
We Understand What You Need
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we pride ourselves on being responsive to our client’s needs. Consultations can be held over the phone. If the lawyer thinks it’s important to speak with you face to face to see the extent of your injuries, a lawyer will come to you.
We get important information on the record through the legal process of discovery. We cover all bases by gathering extensive evidence like:
- Traffic camera footage
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Proof of expenses and damages
Our firm specializes in personal injury law. We keep close contact with you as we work towards getting you a fair and just financial settlement—you’ll even get your lawyer’s phone number.
Contact a Cape Coral Moving Van Accident Lawyer
Contact us today for your free consultation. We will listen with compassion and answer all your questions—our clients are our priority. At The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, you’re in good hands.
We Can Help.
