Truck drivers are the backbone of the country’s infrastructure, providing goods and products all over the nation. Unfortunately, one careless truck driver can lead to a devastating accident, leaving you and others with serious injuries. When this happens, you may need Hialeah truck accident lawyers to take action and help you recover.
Reputable personal injury attorneys in Hialeah are ready to tackle your truck accident case. Those who have suffered through a truck accident can get help from the lawyers at Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers for all their needs, from the first steps toward compensation to the final decision in the courtroom.
Types of Truck Accident Cases
Commercial truck accidents can happen for a number of reasons, such as driver fatigue, drunk driving, and negligence from other drivers. Uncovering these details can help you determine who is liable for your injuries. The liable party will be the one paying for your truck crash.
Statewide, Florida ranked third among states with 337 fatal crashes involving large trucks in 2022, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Below are just a few samples of common causes of truck accidents an experienced attorney can handle:
- Fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Driver error
- Failure to follow federal regulations
- Drunk driving
- Road hazards
Truck crashes also follow different rules than car crashes, which our blog covers in how truck accidents differ from car accidents in Florida.
Truck Accident Law in Hialeah
As state laws change, it is important to stay up to date on what changes can impact truck accident cases like yours. Florida’s accident laws changed in 2023, and two of those changes matter in truck accident cases: the filing deadline and the shared-fault rule.
First, Florida now generally gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a negligence lawsuit, under Section 95.11 of the Florida Statutes, for claims that arose after March 24, 2023. If you fail to file within that time limit, you may lose your chance at compensation.
Any truck accident victim who is worried about shared fault needs to know Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule. That means your compensation will be reduced for your percentage of fault. If you are more than 50 percent at fault, you may lose your chance for compensation. Our blog explains how comparative negligence works in Hialeah personal injury cases.
The Legal Process for Hialeah 18 Wheeler Accident Claims
When you are hurt in an accident involving commercial trucks, you should act quickly to connect with a law firm, gather evidence, and prepare to prove negligence in court. You will also need to know what your claim is worth and who is at fault.
If that sounds overwhelming, don’t worry. Your truck accident attorney is here to make the legal process easier. Our accident lawyers can guide you through the details of a lawsuit, from dealing with the trucking companies to calculating exactly what your large commercial truck accident claim is worth.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
At the accident scene, you may be overwhelmed by the proceedings as a truck accident victim. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do at the scene.
One of the first steps you can take is to notify the authorities. Getting law enforcement at the scene of car accidents ensures you get a police report. That can be a key piece of evidence for your case.
You should also be sure to seek out medical care following a semi-truck accident. These large trucks can cause immense damage, so visit a doctor as soon as possible.
Mediation with the Insurance Companies
When involved in semi-truck accidents, one of the first things you may need to do is contact the at-fault party’s insurance company. But what if the insurance company doesn’t offer a reasonable settlement? Unfortunately, these companies are interested in protecting their profits, so you may have some difficulties getting a fair settlement.
Your truck accident lawyer can help you navigate conversations with insurance companies, ensuring you never accept less than what you are due. Learn why you should not accept the first offer from an insurance company. If the insurance company fails to respond with a fair settlement, your experienced truck accident attorney can begin preparing for litigation.
Going to Court
If you are unable to settle with the insurance company, your claim may go to court. While this process can be intimidating, your lawyer is by your side the whole time.
If your case goes to court, be sure you have an attorney prepared to handle it. Our attorneys have the tools and resources to pursue compensation for you. If you are concerned about your options in the courtroom, reach out for guidance.
Compensation and Damages
In an automobile accident, you can pursue compensation that covers your needs. Unfortunately, truck companies often work hard to avoid paying the costs of a truck collision. Because of this, knowing the value of your trucking accident case is vital.
Those involved in automobile accidents may be able to recover compensation for their semi-truck accident, and personal injury lawyers can help you pursue that amount. Here are some of the damages a semi-truck accident victim can expect.
Economic Damages
Truck collisions can be costly, possibly leading to hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. If you have suffered serious injuries, for example, you may have high medical bills that impact your future for a long time.
If you are struggling to calculate your damages for your trucking accident, your lawyer can help. They can add up all current damages and help you estimate the future costs of your recovery.
Non-Economic Damages
In accidents involving large trucks, you may suffer intangible damages that leave a mark on your mental and emotional well-being. However, because these damages don’t come with a price tag, they may be more difficult to seek.
Fortunately, your lawyer can make this process easy. Your pain and suffering damages can be calculated by determining the severity of your injuries and the impact those injuries have on your life. Talk to an attorney about your options for these damages.
Punitive Damages
Motor vehicle accidents are dangerous as is when someone makes a small mistake. So what happens when someone is willfully careless and their actions lead to a crash involving tractor-trailers?
In these cases, you may be awarded punitive damages, which are not meant to compensate you but instead punish the at-fault party. It is also included in hopes that it deters future similar behavior. Keep in mind that only a judge can award these damages, so don’t expect them in a settlement offer.
Hialeah 18 Wheeler Accident FAQ
Motor vehicle accidents of any kind can be overwhelming, painful, and scary. Worse, you may not have the tools to deal with an accident involving a commercial vehicle. Fortunately, you do not have to navigate this situation alone.
Truck crashes are complex, and we are here to help. We can provide case-specific answers to your questions on truck driver’s negligence, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and more. You can also check out a few commonly asked questions below to learn more about our services.
What if a family member died in a truck accident?
No amount of compensation can replace a family member. However, certain surviving family members can fight for compensation for their loss.
To get the compensation you are due for a wrongful death claim, you may need a truck accident law firm on your side to navigate these complex cases. Fortunately, our commercial truck accident lawyers are here to help your claim succeed.
Why are truck accidents so dangerous?
Trucks are typically much larger than the average car, making accidents involving them more serious than the average car accident. Add hazardous cargo, and you may be facing a devastating accident with high medical expenses for the injuries sustained.
Like other serious accidents, you may suffer long-term, severe injuries. These injuries can include brain injury, spinal cord injury, broken bones, and more. Our page on Hialeah catastrophic injury claims explains how those cases are handled.
How long will it take to settle my truck accident claim?
Trucking accidents can be complex, and because of this, the specific timeline of your case can vary. When the insurance company is willing to negotiate, it may be over in a matter of months. If not, it can take years to get compensation. Our blog looks at how long it takes to settle a personal injury case in Miami.
Fortunately, our truck accident attorneys in Hialeah are here for accident victims through every step of their commercial truck accident lawsuit. No matter the length of your claim, we are here to help.
Seek Hialeah Truck Accident Attorneys at Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers
When you have suffered severe injuries in a Florida truck accident, it can be tough to recover. You may not have the tools to act on your own. This leads many truck accident victims to lose the compensation they were due as they try to handle negotiations or a trial on their own.
Fortunately, our Hialeah truck accident lawyers at Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers have the tools you need to pursue compensation and get the support you need following a truck accident. Our team is ready to help, starting with a free consultation. If a different kind of crash brought you here, we also help with Hialeah car accident claims.
When you are ready to take action with the help of an attorney, reach out for help by calling or filling out our online contact form.
Call us today at (305) 505-1000 or contact us online using our secure request form to schedule your no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
