Truck accident lawsuits present certain complications, and should only be handled by an attorney with experience handling these types of claims. The intricacies of Florida state and federal laws, as well as the number of potentially liable parties in an accident, can be overwhelming, especially for an inexperienced attorney.
At Morgan & Morgan’s Jacksonville office, our lawyers have years of experience handling truck accident cases and understand the steps that need to be taken to ensure our clients recover compensation for their losses. We have access to essential resources, such as expert witnesses and accident re-constructionists, and a thorough understanding of the laws and regulations which may apply to our clients’ claims.
Have you been injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. To find out more about how our Jacksonville truck accident attorneys can assist truck accident victims, complete our free case review form today.
How Can a Jacksonville Truck Accident Attorney Help?
Following an accident, the truck company or owner’s insurer will immediately launch an investigation to collect evidence in an effort to limit their liability for the crash. Insurance adjusters will arrive on the scene soon after the accident to conduct this investigation and build a defense against potential lawsuits.
Retaining an attorney to launch a thorough, independent investigation on your behalf may be vital to recovering the compensation you deserve. During this investigation, your attorney may collect evidence by reviewing accident reports and photographs, interviewing witnesses, investigating the trucking company and driver, examining truck maintenance reports, or re-creating the accident with the assistance of experts.
In addition, your attorney may negotiate with the insurance company to help ensure you do not accept an inadequate settlement offer. If negotiations prove to be unsuccessful, your attorney may choose to file a lawsuit for damages against the party negligent in causing the crash.
Finding the right attorney is important, and the compensation you recover may depend on your attorney’s abilities, knowledge of the law, and experience. Morgan & Morgan’s Jacksonville truck accident attorneys have well-honed investigatory skills, access to special experts, and an extensive knowledge of applicable laws and regulations. We have established a successful history of recovering compensation for our clients in the wake of a significant truck accident injury or death.
Truck Accident Lawsuits
Negligence: Most truck accident lawsuits are pursued on the theory that another’s behavior resulted in the victim’s injuries and losses. To recover compensation, your attorney must prove that the truck driver or some other party acted negligently, and that you were injured as a direct result of that negligence.
Product Liability: In some cases, the manufacturer of the truck, trailer, or one of its components may be liable for injuries sustained in a truck accident if a defect existed in a product and contributed to the accident.
Wrongful Death: If a loved one is lost in a truck accident, Florida state law permits the surviving family to pursue a wrongful death suit to collect compensation for their losses.
Causes of Jacksonville Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can cause serious and potentially life-threatening injuries to any party involved in the crash. Our Jacksonville attorneys handle cases involving death or injuries including head trauma, spinal cord damage, disfigurement, severe burns, broken or shattered bones, lacerations, loss of limbs, and paralysis.
In an effort to protect all parties on the road from these and similar injuries, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration established special mandatory guidelines for trucks, truck owners, and truck manufacturers. Maximum speed limits, the amount of time a driver may spend driving consecutively, logging requirements, weight and loading limits, and the use of alcohol and drugs are regulated by these guidelines.
Violation of these regulations can put other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists at risk for significant injury. Violations can include:
- Operating with minimal truck driving training
- Failing to see other vehicles and parties on the roadway
- Failing to obey local traffic laws
- Failing to stop at weigh stations
- Driving while tired or under the influence
- Falsifying driving logs
- Overloading or failing to load the truck and trailer properly
- Exceeding the maximum weight limit
How Much Is My Case Worth?
The value of each case will vary and depend on the factors specific to the accident including the severity of the injury sustained, the particular breach of duty, the party (e.g., truck driver, truck owner, truck maintenance staff, etc.) that breached the duty, and whether a defect or the victim’s own negligence contributed to the accident.
In any case, damages that may be compensable include current and future medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, or wrongful death expenses including funeral costs.
If you have been injured in a truck accident, you may have legal recourse. Contact a Jacksonville truck accident attorney today by completing our free case review form to learn about your available legal options.