Accidents involving 18-wheeler trucks are often more devastating and complicated than typical car accidents because of the many parties involved and the serious injuries or fatalities that often result.
If you were involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler truck in Jacksonville, a lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine may be able to help you seek financial recovery.
No Need to Worry About Attorney’s Fees with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine
Getting hurt in any traffic accident can cause a lot of financial strain. Our Jacksonville truck accident lawyers want to help ease that so that we will work for you on a contingency fee basis. You are not to pay us a dime:
- Starting up
- Out of pocket
- Hourly
- In a lump sum
If we secure damages for you, we will take a previously agreed-upon fee from the total amount. Should we not be successful, you will not be charged. This way, you don’t run any financial risk.
How One of Our Lawyers Can Help You After an 18-Wheeler Truck Accident in Jacksonville
Truck accident claims are often complex. You can level the playing field by hiring a Jacksonville Beach personal injury lawyer from our team who can represent your interests.
They can:
Gather Different Forms of Evidence
We will investigate your claim and collect evidence, such as:
- Expert witness testimony to recreate the events leading up to the accident
- Eyewitness testimony
- Accident reports determining the cause of your accident
- Electronic data from the truck’s black box
- Your medical records and diagnostic test results to link the accident to your injuries
- Photographs of the scene of the accident and your injuries
- Traffic camera footage, if available
It will also help if you keep a journal in which you document:
- What you remember from the accident
- How you feel physically and mentally every day
- Your daily routine
- Any doctor’s appointments or treatment plans
With your testimony, the insurance company will struggle to dispute your claims.
Prove Who is Liable for the 18-Wheeler Truck Accident
In addition to the trucker, other parties may have played a role in the accident transpiring, like:
- The trucking company
- The cargo company
- The truck parts manufacturer
- The city government
- Another driver
To prove their negligence, we would have to determine that:
- They had a responsibility to keep you safe on the road.
- They ignored this responsibility.
- This negligence led to the 18-wheeler crash.
- You are suffering non-financial and financial repercussions.
Communicate with the Other Parties
Going up against big insurance companies and legal teams can be intimidating, so you can let a lawyer with our firm take care of:
- Answering their phone calls
- Responding to their emails
- Requesting a settlement amount on your behalf
- Negotiating for a settlement that meets all your accident-related needs
If we cannot agree on a settlement, our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers will file a lawsuit and prepare to argue your case in court.
Go the Extra Mile for You
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we pride ourselves on the responsive legal care we provide. With that comes:
- Getting your attorney’s phone number
- Receiving consistent updates about your case
- Quick responses to all your emails and questions
- Help with getting your car fixed and appointments scheduled
You worry about getting better. We take care of everything else.
You May be Able to Collect Economic and Non-Economic Damages
Because 18-wheeler accidents can be so devastating, it is not unusual for victims to sustain substantial losses. You shouldn’t have to face these consequences on your own. Instead, you can request reimbursement for your damages from the liable party.
Among these damages include:
- Past and future medical costs
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Lost income
- Future lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
You might have lost a loved one in the accident. In that event, you may be able to recoup losses for:
- Funeral, memorial, and/or burial services
- Final medical costs
- Lost income or inheritance
- Loss of companionship
Assessing these damages can be challenging and involve a lot of guesswork. You can leave it to your lawyer to calculate each of them after reviewing your bills, invoices, receipts, and your own testimony.
How Long You Have to Pursue Compensation After a Duval County Truck Accident
The time after an 18-wheeler accident can seem like a blur, but it’s important to get started on your case as quickly as possible so you don’t risk your right to collecting damages.
Florida Statutes § 95.11 generally allows Jacksonville personal injury claimants four years to file a lawsuit. Those who are bringing a Jacksonville wrongful death lawsuit, on the other hand, have a two-year window. If a government entity is responsible for your damages, you might have a shorter timeframe.
After your lawyer reviews your situation, they can determine how much time you have to take legal action.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Driving a truck for a living can be a difficult career. Truck drivers are on the road for many continuous hours. The job may be mundane and repetitive. At the same time, driving a large truck that weighs several tons can also be difficult.
Some of the common causes of truck accidents cited by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is the federal agency responsible for regulating commercial trucks, include:
Speeding
Commercial truck drivers may try to reach their destinations by unrealistic deadlines. The FMCSA reports speeding as the most frequent driver-related factor involved in fatal accidents. Fully loaded tractor-trailers take 20 to 40% more distance to stop when compared to a passenger vehicle, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It may take even more distance if the roads are wet or slippery.
Distraction
The FMCSA reports distraction or inattention as the second-most-common driver error factor for truck drivers in fatal accidents. Distractions may include texting or talking on the phone while driving, but they may also include other types of distractions, such as adjusting dials in the vehicle, looking at a GPS or map, looking outside the vehicle, or talking to passengers.
Fatigue
Federal laws allow commercial truck drivers to drive up to 11 hours a day, resulting in tired drivers. Many drivers violate the regulations and work even more hours than they are permitted.
Impairment
Drivers who drink or are impaired by drugs, prescription medication, or over-the-counter medication place others on the road in danger.
Contact the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for Help
If you or a loved one was injured in an 18-wheeler truck accident in Jacksonville, a lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine may be able to help. We can review your claim during a free consultation and discuss how we can help.
Call us today to speak to a member of our team.
We Can Help.
