Truck Accidents Attorneys
in Lake County, Florida
Truck Accident Claims
Truck accidents are usually severe, resulting in catastrophic injury or even wrongful death. For the victims of truck accidents, recovery can be a long road, requiring extensive medical care and long-term treatment. If you or someone you love has been involved in a truck or commercial vehicle accident on I-75, I-95, I-4, the Florida Turnpike, or anywhere in Florida, it is important to work with an experienced truck accident attorney who can protect your rights.
Call us to schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney. From our office in Tavares, we serve clients in Lake County and throughout Florida.
Truck Accident Stats
Fully loaded semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which is 20-30 times as much as most passenger vehicles. They also have higher clearance than passenger vehicles, which can lead to underride crashes. As such, most fatalities in truck accidents are motor vehicle occupants. In 2018, a total of 4,136 people died in large truck crashes, and 67% of them were passenger vehicle occupants. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists were also affected.
Taking Immediate Action on Your Claim
In truck and commercial vehicle accident claims, taking legal action as soon as possible is important. Out lawyers will perform an immediate investigation to recover all pertinent evidence, including black box recorders, truck company logs, witness statements, accident reports, and hospital documentation. We will also preserve physical evidence, including the tractor-trailer involved in your accident to prevent it from getting back on the road.
We are experienced in claims involving:
Big rig accidents and rollovers
18-wheeler accidents
Negligent entrustment
Crashes at railroad crossings
Tractor-trailer crashes involving city, county, or state trucks or automobiles
Construction zone accidents, which may involve a workers' compensation claim
Restaurant and bar owner “dram shop” cases (when the truck driver was served alcohol prior to the accident)
Our team assists people who have suffered severe injuries from truck accidents, including brain and spinal cord injuries. We can also help if you have lost a loved one in a fatal accident.
Causes of Trucking Accidents
One of the most important roles of an attorney is to determine the cause of the accident and identify all parties responsible for your injuries. Truck accidents can result from a variety of causes, including:
Driver fatigue
Distracted driving
Drugs and alcohol
Speeding
Inadequate training
Poor truck maintenance
Improper cargo loading
And more
We will thoroughly investigate to determine the cause of your accident so that the negligent parties are held accountable.
Fortunately, our Lake County truck accident attorneys can help.
Determining Liability
Unlike car accidents, where liability is usually straightforward, several parties can be liable in a truck accident even if only two vehicles were involved. In most truck crashes, the truck driver in question is on the job, which means their employer can be partially responsible for their behavior.
Truck Driver vs. Trucking Company
Both truck drivers and trucking companies are required to adhere to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. These important rules govern everything from a truck driver’s schedule to the way their vehicle is loaded.
When FMCSA regulations are broken, the truck driver is not the only one to blame. For example, if a truck driver causes an accident because they are drowsy, their employer might have asked them to cover an impossible number of miles in one day. Thus, both the truck driver and the trucking company violated hours-of-service laws and can be held liable for the accident.
Other parties, like truck manufacturers and warehouses, can also face liability. Consequently, determining liability requires a careful, in-depth investigation.
What Info to Collect from The Truck Driver
After a truck accident, always check to make sure everyone is okay and call 911 if someone is seriously injured. Otherwise, you will handle a truck accident like you would any other motor vehicle crash.
Because multiple parties may be liable, however, you will need to get some special information. Make sure you write down:
The make, model, and license plate number of the truck
The number on the truck driver’s commercial driver’s license (CDL)
The name of the truck driver’s employer
Insurance information for both the truck driver and their employer
Contact information for any witnesses
You should also take photos of the truck in question, your vehicle, your injuries, and the scene of the crash. Take special note of the weather conditions and time of day, as these details could be very important in settlement negotiations and potential litigation. For more information or to speak directly with an attorney, please contact us today.
