
All kinds of expenses can arise after a truck accident. If you were hit by a negligent truck driver, a Lake Magdalene personal injury lawyer can help you seek damages.
Brooks Law Group has been fighting for Floridians since 1992. If you were injured in a crash with a commercial vehicle, a truck accident lawyer in Lake Magdalene can help you file a claim and pursue a fair settlement.
How a Lake Magdalene Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
Truck accident cases can be complicated, especially when third parties are involved.
A Lake Magdalene truck accident lawyer can:
- Collect evidence: A lawyer can collect police reports, photographs, witness statements, surveillance footage, electronic logging data, and other evidence to prove what happened and who is at fault.
- Calculate your claim’s value: An attorney can evaluate your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages to determine the value of your claim.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: A lawyer can communicate with insurers and seek a fair settlement.
- Represent you in court: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, an attorney can help you file a personal injury lawsuit and advocate for you in court, if necessary.
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(800) 529-3030
What Types of Compensation Can You Pursue?
If another party’s negligence caused your truck accident, you may be entitled to seek compensation for economic and noneconomic losses, such as:
- Medical expenses: You may recover the cost of emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, and other accident-related care.
- Future medical care: You can seek compensation for reasonably anticipated medical treatment associated with your injuries.
- Lost wages: You may recover income you didn’t earn because your injuries prevented you from working.
- Reduced earning capacity: You can seek additional compensation if your injuries affect your ability to earn a living in the future.
- Pain and suffering: You can seek compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: You may recover additional damages if your injuries prevent you from participating in activities you previously enjoyed.
- Punitive damages: In certain cases involving particularly reckless or intentional misconduct, additional damages may be available to you.
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(800) 529-3030
What Is the Time Limit for Truck Accident Claims in Florida?
Florida Statute § 95.11 imposes a two-year statute of limitations for truck accident lawsuits in Florida. If you don’t file your claim within this window, you will lose the ability to pursue damages in court.
Certain circumstances can change the filing deadline for your claim. For instance, if your case involves injured children or a defendant who flees the state, the clock may be paused.
A truck accident attorney in Lake Magdalene can assess your case and explain how much time you have left to file a lawsuit.
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Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident?
The truck driver is not necessarily the only one responsible for a commercial vehicle accident. Several parties may be liable, including:
- The truck driver: A driver may be responsible for speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, impaired driving, or other negligent behavior.
- The trucking company: An employer may be liable if a driver causes a crash while performing their job. In addition, a company may face direct liability for negligent hiring, inadequate training, poor supervision, or unsafe policies.
- The truck owner: The owner of a truck or trailer may be responsible for certain maintenance or equipment problems.
- A maintenance company: If negligent repairs or inadequate maintenance caused a mechanical failure, the company responsible for servicing the truck may be held liable.
- A cargo–loading company: Improperly secured or distributed cargo can affect a truck’s stability and may cause cargo to fall onto the roadway or contribute to a rollover.
- A manufacturer: If a defective tire, brake, steering component, or another truck part contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be responsible.
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How Do You Prove Who Is At Fault?
To prove who is at fault for your accident, you must show that another party acted negligently and that this negligence caused the collision and your injuries.
Useful types of evidence may include:
- Police reports: The accident report may contain statements from the drivers and witnesses, diagrams of the crash, citations, and the responding officer’s observations.
- Photos and video: Images of vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signs, and the accident scene can help show how the collision occurred.
- Witness statements: People who saw the crash can provide independent accounts of what the truck driver or other motorists were doing before the collision.
- Truck driver records: Electronic logging data, inspection records, and other records may reveal whether the driver complied with applicable hours-of-service and safety requirements.
- Trucking company records: Training documents, employment records, dispatch information, and company policies may help establish whether the truck driver’s employer contributed to the accident.
- Vehicle maintenance records: Inspection and repair records can reveal whether a mechanical problem or inadequate maintenance contributed to the crash.
- Black box data: Some commercial trucks contain event data recorders that can provide information about speed, braking, and other vehicle activity before a collision.
- Expert testimony: Accident reconstruction and other experts can analyze physical evidence and vehicle data to explain how the crash occurred and who may have been responsible.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accident injuries often require emergency treatment, surgery, and long-term care.
Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Whiplash
- Severe lacerations
- Crush injuries
- Burns
- Amputations
- Soft-tissue injuries
What Should You Do After a Truck Accident in Lake Magdalene?
The actions you take immediately after a truck accident may affect your ability to obtain compensation. It’s important to:
- Call 911: Report the collision and, if necessary, request emergency medical assistance.
- Document the scene: Take photographs or videos of the vehicles, the accident scene, and your injuries (if possible).
- Exchange information: Obtain the driver’s name, contact information, insurance information, and trucking company information.
- Speak to witnesses: Ask witnesses for their contact information.
- Visit a doctor: Follow up with a medical professional, even if your injuries don’t appear serious.
- Keep records: Save medical bills, receipts, repair estimates, pay records, and other documentation related to the accident.
- Notify your insurer: Report the accident to your insurance company, but avoid providing unnecessary statements about fault or the extent of your injuries.
- Speak with a legal professional: Our experienced commercial vehicle accident lawyers can guide you through the process of filing a claim.
Consult a Truck Accident Attorney in Lake Magdalene
Insurance companies often lowball truck accident victims in hopes they will accept less than their claims are actually worth. If you were recently injured in a truck crash, a Lake Magdalene truck accident attorney from Brooks Law Group can take on your case, negotiate with insurers, and help you pursue fair compensation.
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with a lawyer.
Call or text (800) 529-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form