If negligence caused you or a loved one to suffer serious injuries in a tractor-trailer accident, you have many choices about how to proceed. A tractor-trailer accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL, can help. The lawyers at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine offer free, confidential consultations to truck accident victims.
We Demand the Most Compensation Available to Our Clients
Compensation varies by case and depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries and the long-term impact they will have on your life.
Depending on your losses, you may qualify for a variety of damages, including:
- Past medical expenses;
- Future medical expenses;
- Past and future pain and suffering;
- Loss of consortium, which is a claim the spouse of an injured victim may assert;
- Emotional distress;
- Medication;
- Medical equipment and mobility accommodations;
- Property loss; and
- Lost earnings and loss of earning potential.
We can Review the Evidence in Your Case to Determine the Cause of Your Crash
There is often an abundance of evidence available in these cases. This is because commercial trucking companies must preserve specific data about operations in accordance with federal and state regulations. Our attorneys know how to use this data to determine all possible causes of an accident.
We can interpret documents, logbooks, and data available from a truck’s electronic control module to conclude how the crash occurred. If the driver’s logbook shows he drove past his hours of service, for example, his drowsy driving may have caused the wreck.
Types of Evidence Potentially Available to Us
Our attorneys will collect evidence to prove your full range of damages. This includes any documentation of your related costs, including:
- Medical bills
- Receipts
- Repair estimates
- Wage statements showing your missed income
We can work with experts and specialists to understand what impact your injuries will have in the future. The first step in any personal injury case is identifying the party that caused the accident to occur. If we can prove the at-fault party’s negligence, we can hold them liable for your damages.
Establishing Negligence in a Tractor-Trailer Crash
The first party to look at is the truck driver, who may have been operating a vehicle he or she owns. The driver may have also been driving a truck owned by a trucking company or carrier.
The Truck Owner could be Liable
If the driver was working for a trucking company, vicarious liability would likely apply to your case. Under vicarious liability, employers are responsible for the actions employees take while they are working. That means if a truck driver behaves negligently and causes an accident, the trucking company is responsible for the resulting damages.
A trucking company could also be negligent if we uncover proof it hired a driver without adequate training to operate a large truck. If the company encouraged the driver to work past the hours of service or falsify logs, we could hold it responsible.
Another Party Involved in Shipping could be Liable
Sometimes another party involved in the movement of freight is responsible. If a supplier overloaded a truck and caused the driver to lose control, for example, that supplier could be the negligent party.
We will Identify all the Negligent Parties in Your Case
In addition to looking at the driver, trucking company, and suppliers, we will determine if any other party played a role in your crash. For example, if a defect in the truck or one of its parts caused the accident, we may be able to hold the manufacturer responsible. If another motorist caused the wreck, we can seek damages from the driver’s auto insurance company.
No matter how many parties played a role in your crash, we will pursue fair compensation for your damages.
If You Lost a Loved One in a Tractor-Trailer Crash, You might Qualify for a Wrongful Death Suit
Surviving family members can recover damages for the loss of support and services the deceased victim had provided to the family. The family may also be able to collect compensation for the loss of companionship and guidance that the decedent once provided.
Certain family members may also receive compensation for mental and emotional pain and suffering due to the loss of their family member. Spouses, minor children, and parents of a minor child can make this claim.
The deceased victim’s estate may also recover damages, including:
- Loss of earnings and accumulated wealth the decedent could reasonably have earned if they had lived;
- Final medical expenses; and
- Funeral, burial, or cremation expenses.
A Lawyer from Our Team will Handle the Negotiations Process
After a personal injury accident with a negligent truck driver, you should spend time recovering—not dealing with the settlement proceedings. Many injury victims choose to hire attorneys from our firm to take on this responsibility for them because we know how to build a case and present it to the insurance company.
We will show the insurance company, truck owner, or another liable party that you are entitled to compensation, and it would be a bigger risk to go to court than not pay you a settlement.
We can File a Lawsuit on Your Behalf
Not all civil cases end in a settlement before having to file a lawsuit. Sometimes, the insurance company or liable party refuses to pay an adequate settlement. If this happens, we have no problem taking your case to court.
However, we must do so within the statute of limitations set by Florida Statutes §95.11(3)(a). Under this statute, personal injury victims have four years following the accident to file a lawsuit. If your loved one passed away in a truck accident, you have two years to file a lawsuit for damages, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(d).
Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for a Free Consultation
Tractor-trailer accident cases are not situations to leave in the hands of just any Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can navigate the complexity of your case and help you pursue the damages you deserve.
We welcome the chance to learn about your case and answer your questions. Call us to begin your free consultation today.
We Can Help.
