In 2015, 87,000 crashes across America involved large trucks, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In those wrecks, many victims sustained serious injuries or died as a result of the impact.
Across Florida, trucks present a serious risk to other drivers on the road. If you suffered injuries in a truck accident, you need extensive compensation to pay for your current and future medical needs.
The attorneys at the Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine can help you recover the compensation you need after a catastrophic truck crash. Call 800-747-3733 today to schedule a free consultation with a truck accident lawyer in Punta Gorda.
How Are Truck Accidents Different from Car Accidents?
Truck crashes often involve more severe injuries than car accidents because of the greater mass of trucks. That means that truck accident claims are usually worth more than a typical car accident settlement. That gives the at-fault party greater incentive to avoid paying a claim after a crash.
Injury claims in truck wrecks are often more complex than the typical car accident for several other reasons:
- There may be multiple parties involved in a truck accident;
- Trucking companies keep attorneys on retainer, so they can jump right in when there has been a crash;
- We may need to subpoena the driver’s records from the trucking company;
- Truck drivers are subject to additional laws that car drivers do not have to follow; and
- We may need to consult an accident reconstruction expert to determine what happened and who was responsible for the wreck.
We have the expertise necessary to navigate the complex truck accident claims process successfully. We know how to establish who was liable for your crash using the legal concept of negligence.
Who Is Liable for My Truck Accident?
To prove the liable party in your case, we will need to establish that someone acted with negligence. To do this, we will show that:
- The responsible party owed a duty to keep you reasonably safe from harm;
- They breached that duty by acting recklessly;
- They caused your accident and injuries because of that breach; and
- You suffered actual damages as a result.
The liable party in your case could involve several different people or companies. If the truck driver caused the wreck, the driver and the trucking company could be liable.
The driver may be responsible for any reckless behavior, such as driving under the influence or texting while driving. The trucking company could also be liable for improper hiring, training, or supervision of the driver, or improper maintenance of the truck. If defective tires or brakes caused the crash, the manufacturer of the faulty part can be responsible.
We will work to identify every responsible party in your case. That way, we can seek the maximum amount of compensation possible for you.
Can I Pursue an Injury Claim If I Was Partly at Fault?
Yes, as long as someone else was also at fault. Florida is a comparative negligence state, which means you can file a claim for compensation even if you were partly negligent. You will receive a percentage of your total damage based on your degree of fault.
If you played a part in causing your truck crash, contact our attorneys today. We can help determine your degree of fault and pursue the maximum compensation available in your case.
How Much Is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?
Every case is unique, so it is not possible to give an answer to that question without knowing the facts of your claim. In general, though, you may be able to recover compensation for all of your crash-related losses.
We will seek compensation for you medical bills for your evaluation and treatment at an emergency room, urgent care center, or your doctor’s office right after the wreck. You can also get compensation for the cost of ongoing treatments, therapy, prescription medications, and anticipated future medical expenses.
We will also help you recover lost wages for the time you missed work because of the crash. You can also get anticipated future lost wages. If your injuries caused you to have diminished earning capacity or to change your career plans, this can be part of your injury claim. If you became disabled as a result of your injuries, we can include this loss, too.
We will also seek intangible damages on your behalf. These include such things as pain and suffering and loss of consortium.
We will also request adequate compensation to cover your property loss, including the cost to repair or replace your vehicle, as well as the cost to replace any damaged contents.
How Do I File for Compensation?
After we conduct a thorough investigation of your crash and calculate the total value of your damages, we will file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. In this claim, we will request a fair settlement for your losses.
We will negotiate directly with the insurance company until they agree to a fair payout for your injuries. If they refuse to negotiate, we can file a lawsuit in court to get you the compensation you need to recover.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
It is essential that you have competent legal representation after a truck crash. Trucking companies often employ large, powerful insurers and teams of attorneys to protect them from injury claims like yours. They may get you to provide a written or recorded statement about your crash and later use your words against you to lower your claim. They may also try to get you to agree to a low payout before you understand the full extent of your injuries.
The attorneys at the Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine have the experience needed to protect you during the claims process. We know how to investigate the crash, collect and analyze the evidence, work with experts, get records from the trucking company, and calculate the compensation you deserve. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve after a truck crash.
There is no fee to talk with us and no obligation. We do not charge you any legal fees unless there is a recovery. Call us today at 800-747-3733 to line up your free consultation.
We Can Help.
