18-wheeler truck accidents can be devastating when these big trucks crash with passenger vehicles. Our Hollywood 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer will work closely with you if you’ve been injured due to negligence. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine will hold the appropriate party accountable.
After the accident, you may be facing lost wages, high medical bills, and pain and suffering. Your Hollywood truck accident lawyer will work relentlessly to ensure you receive a fair settlement based on your recoverable damages.
Major Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents
An important role of your Hollywood 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer is to determine the factors or behaviors that caused your accident. The following are some of the common causes of 18-wheeler crashes:
- Fatigued driving
- Distracted driving
- Manufacturing defects
- Improper loading of cargo or overloading
- Impaired driving due to use of drugs and alcohol
- Tire blowouts
- Failure to perform required regular maintenance and inspection
- Speeding, especially around sharp curves
Recoverable Damages
You’re entitled to file an injury claim after an 18-wheeler accident to be compensated for damages. The following are damages you can pursue in your claim:
- Medical Expenses: An 18-wheeler truck accident can leave you with devastating internal injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), permanent disability, and disfigurement. Some of the injuries may need a lifetime of treatment. Expenses you can claim include medication, doctors’ fees, past and expected future medical costs, and rehabilitation expenses.
- Lost Income: You may be out of work during the recovery period, resulting in lost wages or income. If the injuries from the accident put you out of work, you’re entitled to recover lost wages and anticipated future income.
- Property Damage: If the accident is between an 18-wheeler and a passenger car, the victim’s car can be damaged or even totaled. Your lawyer will work with the insurance company to recover vehicle repair expenses or replacements. The insurance will also provide a rental vehicle when your vehicle is being repaired or replaced.
- Pain and Suffering: A victim can suffer from emotional distress for years after a truck accident. Experiencing a truck accident can be a disturbing event that can lead to depression or anxiety. Your lawyer can file a claim based on emotional distress caused by an accident.
- Punitive Damages: In rare cases, a judge can award a victim punitive damages if the liable party’s negligence or behavior is specifically wrong. Punitive damages are meant to discipline the party at fault to discourage others from acting similarly.
Why Hire Our Hollywood 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Lawyer?
The occupants of smaller vehicles are more likely to get hurt or pass away in big truck accidents than truck drivers. Your lawyer will guide you on the legal options available to pursue monetary compensation and offer the following services:
- Negotiate with the insurance company. Through the experience of handling similar truck accident claims, your lawyer will present a strong case against the liable party and negotiate for a reasonable settlement based on the value of your recoverable losses.
- Build your case. Your lawyer must prove liability or negligence to have a strong injury claim. The lawyer must prove the party at fault owed you a duty of care, there was a breach of the duty of care, and you suffered from injuries and damages because of their breach.
- Estimate your claim’s value. Your lawyer will estimate the value of your claim based on all recoverable damages, such as medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost wages, and pain and suffering, to ensure you receive fair compensation. The lawyer will also calculate any anticipated future cost if you suffer from a condition that requires lifelong medication or therapy.
- Represent you in court. If the insurance company is not ready to offer a reasonable settlement, your lawyer will advise you to file a lawsuit in a court of law. Filing a lawsuit sometimes prompts the insurance company to provide fair compensation. However, if the out-of-court settlement fails, the lawyer will collect evidence and represent you in court for a positive outcome.
Reasons 18-Wheelers Are Dangerous on the Roads
Although all large vehicles, including vans, pose a danger to other road users, here are a few reasons 18-wheelers are considered amongst the most dangerous:
- They transport heavy loads. An 18-wheeler that’s fully loaded weighs around 80,000 pounds or 400 tons. An average vehicle weighs about 2,700 pounds, slightly just over 1 ton. That means the weight of an 18-wheeler is 400 times that of an average passenger vehicle. Therefore, when an accident happens between an 18-wheeler and a passenger vehicle, their enormous weight causes severe or fatal injuries and incredible property damage.
- They’re the biggest vehicles on the road. 18-wheelers can be up to 176 feet long and have four trailers. The tremendous length makes it challenging for drivers to avoid crashing during turns or making sharp corners. Their immense size also amplifies the dangers of driver negligence, like overtaking and speeding.
- They need much more space and time to stop. The time required by an 18-wheeler to come to a complete stop is about 40% longer than the time needed by an average vehicle. Therefore, other vehicles should keep a safe distance behind an 18-wheeler truck.
- They have massive blind spots. Unlike regular vehicles, an 18-wheeler lacks a rear window. 18-wheelers are huge blind spots given their enormous size since they rely on their rearview mirrors to view what is behind them.
Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for Affordable Legal Help
If you or someone you know was injured in an 18-wheeler truck accident in Broward County, consider reaching out to the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for legal advice.
Our personal injury team can offer responsive legal representation against the insurance company and strive to ensure you receive fair compensation. Call today; we’re ready to listen and answer all your queries. We take cases on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay no upfront or out-of-pocket costs.
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