A collision involving a commercial truck can have consequences that extend far beyond the initial crash. If another party’s negligence contributed to your truck accident, you may have the right to seek compensation for your losses. An experienced truck accident lawyer in Northdale can investigate what happened and help you understand your legal options.
At Brooks Law Group, we will put over 100+ years of combined legal experience to use to help you secure favorable compensation for your losses. Contact us today by phone or through our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our Northdale personal injury lawyers.
Truck Drivers and Trucking Companies Must Follow Safety Requirements
Commercial trucking is subject to safety requirements intended to reduce the risk of serious collisions. Drivers and trucking companies have responsibilities that go beyond the duties imposed on ordinary motorists.
These obligations can include maintaining vehicles properly, following applicable hours-of-service requirements, and ensuring drivers are properly licensed and qualified for the vehicles they operate.
Some of the safety responsibilities involved in commercial trucking include:
- Proper driver licensing: Commercial truck drivers generally must hold the appropriate commercial driver’s license and qualifications for the vehicle they operate.
- Driver qualifications: Trucking companies have responsibilities related to hiring and retaining properly qualified drivers.
- Vehicle inspections and maintenance: Commercial vehicles need appropriate inspections, repairs, and maintenance to help ensure that mechanical problems do not create unnecessary hazards.
- Hours-of-service compliance: Federal regulations limit the amount of time certain commercial drivers can operate their vehicles without required rest periods.
- Cargo loading and securement: Freight must be loaded and secured appropriately so that it does not shift, fall from the vehicle, or interfere with the driver’s ability to control the truck.
Evidence that a driver or company failed to follow applicable safety rules can be important when investigating how a crash occurred.
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A Truck Accident Attorney in Northdale Can Help You Identify All Potentially Liable Parties
Determining liability after a commercial truck accident can require a more extensive investigation than a typical two-car collision. The truck driver may be responsible, but the driver is not necessarily the only party whose actions need to be examined.
Depending on the circumstances, potentially responsible parties may include:
- The commercial truck driver
- The trucking company
- A company that hired or leased the truck
- A cargo-loading company
- A trucking or logistics contractor
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer
- A company responsible for maintenance or repairs
- Another motorist whose actions contributed to the collision
Trucking companies and their insurers may begin investigating a crash shortly after it happens. Important evidence can also become harder to obtain as time passes. An attorney can help identify potentially relevant evidence and determine which parties may have legal responsibility for your injuries and losses.
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Florida’s Comparative Negligence Rules Can Impact Your Case
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system when assessing fault after a truck accident. In a personal injury case, the amount of compensation available can depend on the percentage of fault attributed to each party.
Florida’s current comparative fault law generally bars an injury victim from recovering damages when they are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident. Because fault can directly affect the amount of compensation available, disputes over who caused a truck collision can have significant financial consequences.
Even if you are 50% or less to blame, your compensation can be reduced in direct correlation to your level of liability. For example, suppose your total compensatory damages were determined to be $100,000, and you were found to be 20% responsible for the accident. Your recovery would generally be reduced by your percentage of fault, leaving $80,000.
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How to Deal With an Insurance Company After a Truck Accident in Northdale
After a serious truck accident, you may hear from an insurance adjuster representing the trucking company, driver, or another potentially responsible party. The adjuster may request a recorded statement or present a settlement offer.
It is important to understand that an insurance company’s interests may not be the same as yours. The insurer has a financial incentive to limit the amount it pays on a claim.
An insurance adjuster may attempt to:
- Obtain statements that could later be used to dispute liability
- Question whether your injuries were caused by the truck accident
- Minimize the seriousness of your injuries
- Encourage you to accept an early settlement
- Dispute portions of your medical treatment or expenses
- Attribute some of the responsibility for the crash to you
You should be cautious about making statements or accepting a settlement before you understand the full extent of your losses. Some injuries require ongoing treatment, and the financial impact of an accident may not become clear immediately.
An attorney can handle communications with the insurer, review settlement proposals, and work to protect your interests throughout the claims process.
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Accepting a Settlement Offer or Going to Court
Many personal injury claims are resolved through settlement rather than trial. However, an early settlement offer may not account for all of the losses you have experienced or may experience in the future. Before accepting an offer, it is important to understand the full scope of your damages.
An experienced Northdale truck accident attorney can review the available evidence and evaluate whether a proposed settlement adequately addresses your losses. Your attorney can also negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
At Brooks Law Group, we prepare cases thoroughly and pursue the compensation our clients may be entitled to recover. Although many cases can be resolved without going to trial, preparing a case for litigation can help ensure that you are positioned to pursue your claim if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
Get Help From a Truck Accident Lawyer Serving Northdale Today
After a serious truck accident, you should not have to face the claims process alone, particularly when multiple parties and insurance companies may be involved. At Brooks Law Group, we are committed to helping injured individuals understand their rights and pursue compensation after accidents caused by negligence.
Since 1992, our firm has recovered over $300 million for our injured clients. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. We are ready to listen to what happened and help you understand your options for moving forward.
Call or text (800) 529-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form