If you’ve ever driven near the busy Port of Palm Beach, you know the roads can be packed with massive 18-wheelers hauling cargo in and out of the city. One moment you’re cruising along the waterfront, and the next, you could find yourself in a life-changing collision with a truck from a company like Atlantic Truck Lines. These crashes aren’t just bigger fender-benders; they can cause common truck accident injuries such as broken bones, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, and internal bleeding. The aftermath can be overwhelming, with severe pain, mounting medical bills, and weeks (or months) away from work. In moments like these, having an experienced truck accident injury attorney on your side isn’t just helpful – it can make all the difference in protecting your health, your rights, and your future.
Brooks Law Group is here to answer your questions after your accident, providing the support you need during this difficult time. Keep reading to find information about accidents with Atlantic Truck Lines and how to respond if a crash happens to you.
Why Atlantic Truck Lines Accidents Are Different
Atlantic Truck Lines is no small-town hauler. They’re a regional flatbed carrier based in Jacksonville, FL, but they operate throughout the state, including major ports like Miami, Jacksonville, and – yes – the Port of Palm Beach. Their trucks move heavy, often oversized loads to and from the docks, which means navigating busy city streets and tight port corridors where accidents can happen in an instant.
When you’re dealing with a crash involving a port-related truck, things can get complicated fast. There are driver logs, cargo manifests, maintenance records, and company policies that all play a role in determining who’s at fault. This isn’t the kind of case you want to handle on your own. It takes a skilled legal team that understands both trucking regulations and Florida’s port operations.
What should I do first after a crash?
Truck accident injury attorneys agree: big rig accidents around Port Palm Beach are a major risk to drivers.
In those first chaotic moments after the accident, your safety is the top priority. Call 911 right away, even if you don’t think you’re seriously hurt. Some injuries, especially internal ones, don’t show symptoms until hours or days later. In addition to medical concerns, you’ll need the police report for any legal action. After an initial evaluation of yourself and the scene, take the following steps.
Our truck accident attorney says: “Document, document, document!”
If you can, document the scene thoroughly.
- Take photos (and video!) of the damage to your vehicle, as well as damage to other vehicles and property around you
- Take photos of any skid marks on the road
- Document the truck’s DOT number
- Photograph any nearby traffic lights and road signs
- Gather the contact information of all witnesses
- Request the name and contact info of the driver, as well as their insurance information
Avoid speaking with others on the scene
Outside of speaking with authorities, limit all conversations to exchanging contact information. Never use phrases like “I’m sorry” or “It was my fault,” as those words can be twisted against you later. When it comes to speaking after an accident, less is more!
Have a thorough medical exam
Even if emergency personnel checked you over on-site after your crash, get a thorough exam at the hospital afterward. Mention any pain or symptoms to medical professionals, and have every question or concern answered and documented. These medical records will be critical for proving your case later.
Why do I need a truck accident injury attorney?
Here’s the hard truth: trucking companies and their insurers don’t play fair. They have teams of adjusters, investigators, and lawyers whose job is to limit what they pay out. Without a commercial truck accident injury attorney fighting for you, it’s easy to get pushed into a lowball settlement that won’t even cover your medical bills.
A good lawyer will dig into the details, reviewing driver logs for hours-of-service violations, checking maintenance reports, and even looking at the way the cargo was loaded. They’ll identify all potentially responsible parties, from the driver to Atlantic Truck Lines to any third-party maintenance crews or loading contractors. They’ll also know how to navigate the local courts here in West Palm Beach to get your case moving in the right direction.
What are the most common truck accident injuries?
Collisions with big rigs often leave individuals with injuries far more severe than those from typical car accidents. Most commonly seen are:
- traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- fractures and dislocations
- spinal cord damage and paralysis
- internal organ injuries
- severe soft tissue damage
Recovering from these common truck accident injuries can take months – or even years. The medical costs alone can be staggering, which is why securing full and fair compensation is so critical.
What are my legal options in West Palm Beach?
Florida’s no-fault insurance laws mean you’ll start by filing with your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. But, if your injuries are serious – and truck accident injuries often are – you can step outside the no-fault system and pursue a claim against the at-fault parties. You need to act fast, however, because Florida gives a limited amount of time (known as the statute of limitations) to file your claim.
That’s when having a West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer who knows the local legal landscape becomes a game-changer. We’ll file the necessary claims, handle all communication with the insurance companies, and push for every dollar you’re entitled to – whether that’s through settlement or trial.
What kind of compensation can I recover?
Depending on your situation, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- medical bills (past and future)
- lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- pain and suffering
- loss of enjoyment of life (emotional distress)
- punitive damages in cases of extreme negligence
Every case is different, but one thing is certain: you should never settle for less than what it will take to rebuild your life. Brooks Law Group makes sure you get what you deserve, fighting for results you can count on. Don’t just take our word for it! We recently won a $6,500,000 settlement for a client injured in a truck crash. We can’t take away your pain, but we can make sure you don’t have to bear the weight of a financial burden as you heal and recover.
Don’t wait to get help. Call Brooks Law Group!
Trucking companies move fast after an accident, and you need someone on your side doing the same.
At Brooks Law Group, we’ve helped injury victims throughout the West Palm Beach area take on powerful trucking companies and win. We understand the unique challenges of cases involving Atlantic Truck Lines and port-related accidents. Our team knows how to investigate, build these cases, and fight for your rights, so you can focus on what matters most – healing.
When an accident with a massive truck turns your world upside down, you deserve more than just sympathy from the insurance company. You deserve justice. Call us today for your free consultation with a dedicated West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer, and let us fight for the compensation you need to move forward.
