Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Lawyers

Truck Accidents in Fort Lauderdale Handled by Legal Professionals

Truck drivers have a demanding job, working long hours to deliver important goods all over the US. A truck accident can mean disaster, both for their health and livelihood. Truck accidents are common in Fort Lauderdale, and they are often messy. Those involved must receive fair compensation, ensuring their ability to recover from the potential damages.

However, navigating the process, both with the trucking company and the insurance provider, is almost always a headache. A truck accident lawyer may be vital in receiving that compensation, working with the victims to ensure justice.

A Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer at Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers may be able to help you through every step of the process, fighting the battle to get you a fair payout after your truck accident. There is no need to go up against the insurance company on your own when you can rely on professional help. They can answer any questions you may have, but this should serve as a handy guide to what truck accident attorneys can do for you.

What Makes Truck Accidents Dangerous?

Any truck driver can tell you that few things are more dangerous on the roads than one of their semi-trucks. They are large, unwieldy, and take a lot of training and skill to maneuver. Truck accident injuries are serious, and a fatal truck accident is not uncommon. They have the potential to be incredibly costly and destructive, for the driver and any cars that may be around.

A truck accident case has to be handled delicately because there are likely a lot of factors at play. You can count on injury attorneys in Fort Lauderdale to cover your truck accident case, no matter how big it may be.

Liability for a Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident

Sometimes in an auto accident, liability lies completely on the driver. However, the law in Fort Lauderdale is a little more complicated than that regarding a truck accident claim. The trucking accident could have happened due to the driver, such as if they were negligent or driving unsafely.

However, if they drive a commercial truck, the fault could lie on the trucking companies. They may have been overworking the driver or not maintaining their vehicles as they should. Oftentimes the companies still try to put the full blame on the drivers, but they are usually held liable for their employees’ actions.

Determining who is at fault is no problem for an experienced truck accident attorney. They will be sure to demand compensation from the right parties, ensuring everything is fair.

Florida Accident Laws You Need to Know

As a driver, there are several laws you need to be aware of. Sharing the road with these trucks, there may be some you are unaware of. Trucking accidents are always a possibility, so you should stay informed before winding up in one of these dangerous situations. You may be unable to prevent car accidents, but you can at least be prepared if one occurs.

Statute of Limitations

In a Florida truck accident, the truck accident victims have two years from the crash to file any claims. Past that point, you have no legal standing to seek compensation.

However, if you have been in a Fort Lauderdale truck accident, you should act as quickly as possible. A truck accident lawyer may need time to determine who is liable. Gathering evidence is much easier when the scene is still fresh, and finding witnesses willing to testify can be time-sensitive.

A lot can happen in two years, and Fort Lauderdale truck accidents can be tricky to navigate. Act quickly, or your case may fall between the cracks.

Shared Fault Laws

Under Florida law, you can still seek compensation in accidents involving large trucks even if you are partially at fault. A negligent truck driver is still at fault for the crash, even if you were also acting negligent at the time. This is the shared fault law, where the fault in personal injury cases is split between both drivers involved and compensation is awarded based on who was most at fault.

You may have a more reduced compensation payout, but when a truck accident occurs and you are hurt, it is still worth the effort to make your case. A personal injury law firm will consider both sides of the event and do all it can to maximize your compensation, potentially preventing you from losing the compensation you are due.

Compensation for a Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident

In a semi-truck accident, more than one type of damage occurs. Thus, there are different types of compensation you can seek out, as a truck crash victim.

A personal injury lawyer is well-versed in all of these, but you may want to have your idea of what to expect before you reach out. Lost wages, medical treatment, emotional pain, and potential illegal activity all factor into your overall payout.

Economic Damages

Truck crashes are undoubtedly costly. Any car accident will cause damage, but it can only get worse and more destructive when you factor in a large truck. Serious injury is likely, oftentimes catastrophic injuries and even death. You will have medical costs, maybe funeral costs as well.

A hospital visit and injuries mean you will be unable to work for some time, and your ability to do your job may be seriously impeded in the future. This means lost wages, impacting your ability to pay off those medical debts and live your life.

Personal injury lawyers are well-versed in these economic damages and will ensure that the responsible party for your semi-truck accident will cover the costs. They will also see that your insurance provider holds up their part of the deal if they try not to honor your coverage.

Non-Economic Damages

Truck accident cases are not entirely about the physical damage when the accident occurred. The trauma of an accident, and the serious injuries it caused, can lead to serious mental pain and suffering.

That trauma stays with the victim for a long time and can be almost as debilitating as physical injury, in some cases. Your legal team can work with you to determine how much mental anguish the experience has put you in, and secure extra compensation.

In a wrongful death truck accident lawsuit, one must also consider the emotional toll of losing someone you care for dearly. If a commercial truck accident has taken a loved one from you, there should be consequences.

Punitive Damages

When one is operating a motor vehicle of any kind, you have a legal responsibility to everyone else on the road. With commercial trucks, both the driver and the company share that responsibility. Trucking regulations have to be followed, and if it is found that either the driver or owner is in violation, there are consequences.

Punitive damages are legal fines charged when the perpetrator is found violating the law. They are the hardest of the three damages to prove, but truck accident lawyers will be able to uncover any criminal wrongdoing so you can recover compensation.

How Can a Law Firm Serving Broward County Help Me?

As with any car crash, the road to financial recovery can be a complicated one. Commercial vehicles add their mix of legal complexity, with federal regulation as well as state law to consider. A thorough investigation is needed to determine who is responsible and how much compensation the liable parties owe.

Truck accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale can help you with every bit of it, likely offering a free consultation before you ever commit. They will show you how much you can expect, gather evidence, negotiate on your behalf, and offer legal representation in court if necessary. There is no reason to bear the burden yourself when professional, timely help is available.

Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident FAQ

Legal matters are almost always confusing, and truck accidents are no exception. A skilled truck accident lawyer will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have, but there are a few that come up commonly.

Many truck drivers make mistakes behind the wheel, for example, but your lawsuit may not be as simple as placing the blame on the other driver. You may have more complex evidence to gather, and you may need the guidance of an attorney to do so. Here are a few answers to questions you may have, to give you a better idea of what to do after your truck accident.

How much are most truck accident settlements?

Because of the size and danger presented by semi trucks, truck crash settlements tend to be much larger than other cases. Many factors affect the ultimate settlement amount, so the settlement can vary depending on the cost of any physical injuries, long-term medical bills, and lost income. Contact a lawyer for a free case review and learn more about how much your case is worth.

When will my truck accident claim be settled?

It is difficult to say exactly how long a truck accident case will take, as several factors cannot be accounted for. It is a lengthy process, especially if a court date becomes necessary. In some cases, your cases may be settled in a matter of months. Sometimes it can drag on for years, but you can count on that long if you intend to seek compensation.

If you are concerned with income before you receive your payout, options are available. Ask your lawyer about a lawsuit settlement loan to determine if it is right for you.

What is a truck’s black box?

Commercial trucks are supposed to carry a black box, installed by the truck manufacturer to keep track of the vehicle’s operation. Driving time is recorded, so that it can be determined whether the driver was operating for unsafe amounts of time. This information is important for the insurance carrier and helps fill out the police report.

If you are involved in a crash, requesting the black box information as quickly as possible is important. Some companies will be hesitant to give it out if you are not an employee, and after a while, they may delete the information. A lawyer can procure this and make sure there are consequences if they try to impede the investigation.

What if a loved one was killed in a truck accident?

Truck accidents are always extremely dangerous, particularly to smaller passenger vehicles. Simple jackknife incidents can result in severe consequences like a spinal cord injury. Death is not uncommon, for anyone involved.

You can file a wrongful death claim only if the person killed would have had a case, had they lived. Oftentimes if the driver took greater care the victim would not have died, so this is possible in most deaths. You must be a close loved one or otherwise authorized to represent the deceased, filing on their behalf to secure a settlement for the family.

Can I sue on behalf of another person?

If the person is underage, disabled, or otherwise unable to act themself, you can petition the court for guardian ad litem status. This means you and your lawyer can act in their stead, as long as it is in the best interests of the person in question.

It is important to note that children, if able to eventually sue, will have a pause on their statute of limitations for a tractor-trailer accident until they are 18. However, acting as soon as the accident occurs is smarter as evidence can easily disappear in those years.

Contact a Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Lawyer

If you were involved in a costly truck accident in the Fort Lauderdale area, you should reach out to a personal injury law firm as soon as possible. They will be more than happy to review the facts of your case and begin the work to get you a proper settlement, getting you the compensation you deserve.

Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers is here for you, ready to put our experience and skills to use. You can contact us anytime through our online contact form, or call now for a free consultation about accidents involving tractor-trailers.