Steel truck accidents are extremely dangerous and can cause severe injuries and even death. If you are hurt in a steel truck collision, or if a loved one passed away after the accident, you deserve financial justice, contact a Cape Coral truck accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine to begin the legal process of filing a claim against the liable party.
Major Causes of Steel Truck Accidents
Some common causes of steel truck accidents include:
- Tailgating or illegal passing
- Loose or overloaded cargo, or even mechanical problems
- Falsified log records
- Overworking of the driver
- Drivers without proper training or sufficient licensing
- Speeding or road rage
- Failure to maintain the truck
- Driving under the influence or distracted driving
- Bad roads or poor weather conditions
Multiple parties may have contributed to the accident depending on the circumstances. Additionally, certain types of accidents can cause more significant losses. Possible types of truck accidents include:
- Rear-end or head-on collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Cargo spillage
- Jackknife accidents
- Explosions
No matter the cause or type of accident you were involved in, reach out to our Cape Coral personal injury law firm to discuss your options.
Types of Injuries Sustained from a Steel Truck Accident
A steel truck can inflict major injuries and property damage when involved in an accident. When you go to a hospital after the accident, the medical staff will list all the injuries you have sustained, and that report will help us itemize your settlement claim. The more severe your injuries are, the more money we may be able to pursue. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Brain damage
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Organ damage
- Whiplash
- Scrapes and bruises
- Soft tissue injury
- Internal bleeding
- Herniated discs
What Makes Steel Truck Accidents More Complicated?
Truck accidents can be more complicated to deal with when compared to standard motor vehicles. This is because of the extensive laws and regulations that govern truck companies. Some of the reasons why steel truck accidents are complicated include:
Multi-Party Litigation
In most truck accidents, we will have to demand compensation from more than one party that contributed to the accident, such as the truck owner or a mechanic. For example, you might automatically assume the truck driver is the only one at fault for the accident.
However, upon further investigation your attorney finds out that the accident occurred because the person tasked with loading the steel bars did not secure them properly. For this reason, another party on loading duty that day could also be liable for the accident.
Vicarious Liability
Vicarious liability is when an employer is held responsible for a driver’s actions. For instance, the accident could have resulted from driver incompetence. Still, the trucking company may also be liable to compensate you since they had a duty to train their employees properly. Thankfully, federal law requires that trucking companies have comprehensive insurance policies to cover victims in such scenarios.
Federal Truck Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has laws and regulations that all trucking companies and drivers must follow. Companies and drivers can be criminally charged if they fail to adhere to FMCSA rules.
Some of these rules include:
- Drivers should not work more than a certain number of hours per shift
- Drivers should keep an updated logbook at all times
- The truck should undergo maintenance after it has covered a certain number of miles
- Drivers should document their breaks
In addition to federal laws, states can have additional requirements for truck drivers and trucking companies.
Extensive Potential Evidence
When a steel truck accident happens, we cannot just blame the driver and get you compensation. Instead, we have to get to the root of the problem, which means going through every piece of evidence, including company records, truck dashboard camera, drivers’ work records, license validity, eyewitness statements, and other relevant evidence. Gathering this information is time-sensitive, especially when you are recovering from your injuries.
How Long Do I Have to Sue After a Steel Truck Accident?
Your time to file a personal injury lawsuit is restricted, so you should contact a lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine as soon as you can after your accident with a steel truck. Our team can get to work gathering evidence and uncovering proof of the other party’s negligence.
The statute of limitations for personal injury settlement claims is four years per Florida Statutes §95.11. However, the deadline can be even shorter depending on the involved parties. Enlisting our services early enough allows us ample time to gather evidence, build a strong case, and file the claim.
What Should I Do Immediately After an Accident?
The first thing you should do is ensure you are out of the way of oncoming traffic and then seek medical help. Depending on how you feel, you can either seek medical treatment after being released from the scene or call 911, who will then send an ambulance and police officers. The responding police officers will want to get your statement, and you will want to oversee the collection of evidence, including documenting your injuries and property damage.
Next, contact our attorneys serving Cape Coral to represent you when speaking with the other parties. Our firm can represent you and reduce the possibility of being shortchanged by insurance companies. Often, the lawyers representing the liable party will try and offer a settlement as soon as the accident occurs, and you can miss out on a better settlement offer.
Why Should I Choose the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine?
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we understand the frustration that comes with recovering from a steel truck accident, starting with the medical bills, emotional trauma, lost wages, damaged property, and other losses. For this reason, we offer you responsive legal care, free case evaluations, and contingency fee arrangements. As your legal representative, your steel truck accident attorney will:
- Gather evidence
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Analyze your case
- Partner with experts to corroborate your side of the story and support your claims
We will provide you with the number of your attorney to call whenever you need legal clarity or want to know about your case. Also, we are ready to represent you in court if settlement negotiations fail. Call us today to receive a free case evaluation.
We Can Help.
