In 2017, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported that there were nearly 450,000 police-reported crashes with large trucks. Of those, 344,000 resulted in injury crashes. When a semi-truck causes an accident and people are injured, the consequences can be life-altering.
If you are a victim of a truck accident in West Palm Beach, you are probably wondering how you can hold the negligent driver accountable for their actions. We are here to help.
At the Landau Law Group, our West Palm Beach semi-truck accident lawyers represent clients who have suffered injuries due to the negligent actions of a truck driver or the trucking company. Call 866-703-4878 for a free consultation to get the answers you need.
Common Semi-Truck Accidents
Accidents involving large trucks are unfortunately quite common. The reasons for these accidents are:
- Poor road conditions
- Inclement weather causing poor visibility
- Speeding
- Unsafe turning or lane change
- Tailgating or following too closely to allow a safe distance for breaking
- Being distracted while driving or using a cell phone
- Driving while intoxicated by drugs and alcohol
- Improper load placement or weight distribution
- Driving while exhausted due to an unlawful amount of driving hours
- Failing to use proper safety equipment when parked near traffic
- Failing to inspect the truck, trailer, and load properly
Per the Federal Highway Administration, the legal weight limit of trucks and trailers is 80,000 pounds. Responsible and safe operation is critical as a semi-truck loaded to capacity can cause devastation in a collision at high speeds.
Federal regulations limit the number of hours a truck driver can be on the road. In addition, routine inspections are required by law. Many trucking companies adhere to the law and conduct responsible operations. Those who disregard the law, though, put lives at risk.
Establishing Liability in a Semi-Truck Accident Case
There could potentially be many liable parties whose actions led to a truck accident. The responsible parties can include the:
- Truck driver: the driver could be operating irresponsibly or intentionally breaking safety regulations. Punitive damages could result if the driver is found to be impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Trucking company: background checks and proper training is required by law for all drivers before they get behind the wheel. Some companies act negligently regarding the law.
- Trailer owner: in many cases, different companies own the trailer that is hauling the load. If proper inspections and maintenance have not been conducted, the company that owns the trailer could be held liable.
- Cargo owner: sometimes, the cargo being hauled has been loaded improperly. There are also cases of the weight of the cargo being falsified, which can also cause serious problems.
- Equipment maintainer: Federal law requires routine safety inspections of trucking equipment. If these inspections have not been conducted or logged properly, the maintainer could be held accountable for the accident.
- Manufacturer: defective parts can also lead to an accident. Unfortunately, sometimes crashes happen before a recall is put into order on the defective product.
The details are important when a truck accident occurs, so you do not want to miss any of them. Call the Landau Law Group at (866) 703-4878 to speak to a West Palm Beach truck accident attorney about your case. When there are multiple parties found to be liable, we can pursue compensation on your behalf.
Common Damages Recovered Following a Truck Accident
If you have suffered injuries in a truck crash, you may be able to file a claim to pursue damages, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning potential from your injuries
- Loss of benefits and advancement opportunities (if you are unable to return to work)
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Cost of professional counseling (if you suffer PTSD following the event)
- Other expenses related to the accident
It is pertinent to have law enforcement officials conduct a proper investigation of the accident and complete reports. If there are any eyewitnesses, their statement can also be important to your claim.
Statute of Limitations
With Florida’s statute of limitations, you must file a claim pursuing compensation within four years of the day you suffered injuries. If you lost a loved one in a semi-truck accident, you have two years from the time of death.
Following a truck accident in West Palm Beach, always seek immediate medical attention for evaluation. Some injuries do not show symptoms immediately. When it is possible, call 866-703-4878 for a free consultation with the semi-truck accident lawyers at the Landau Law Group.
Truck accident personal injury lawyers in West Palm Beach, FL
The Landau Law Group can focus on your claim while you focus on recovering from your injuries. On your behalf, we can:
- Investigate the accident: by reviewing the police reports, we can determine liability and begin building a case to hold those parties accountable.
- Collect eyewitness statements: getting statements from eyewitnesses can help understand the whole story of the accident.
- Work with your doctor: after a medical examination of your injuries, we can work with the necessary professionals to fully understand the related expenses regarding your recovery and future care.
- Contact the insurance companies: once we have built a solid case, we can contact the necessary insurance companies and demand a full and fair settlement.
- Pursue your claim at trial: if a fair settlement cannot be reached outside of court, we will pursue your rights in a trial.
Many cases can be resolved outside of a courtroom. This option is certainly the preferable outcome of achieving a settlement.
Contact the Landau Law Group today at 866-703-4878 to get started. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to review your claim with a West Palm Beach semi-truck accident lawyer.
With over 20 years of combined experience, we will defend your rights to compensation for your injuries.
