One of the most devastating types of motor vehicle accidents involves semi-trucks. The size and weight of these vehicles mean semi-truck accidents can often cause life-altering injuries that will be with the victim or their loved ones for the long-term.
These types of injuries can include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Paralysis
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Organ damage
- Burns or scarring from corrosive liquid
- Amputated limbs
If you or a loved one suffered any of the above injuries, or another injury or condition, a Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer can talk you through the various options. Call the team at The Landau Law Group at (866) 703-4878 to find out how we can help you.
Determining Negligence Following a Semi-truck Accident
Although driver error is the most common cause of semi-truck crashes, other parties might be at fault or at least share responsibility for the accident.
For instance, the cause of the accident might be due to:
- A commercial courier company may have poor working policies that meant the driver was not getting sufficient rest breaks.
- The driver knew they were overdue for a rest break and they were overtired, prone to errors, or had impaired judgment. In this case, both the driver and the courier may be liable.
- The driver may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- A poorly designed road could make an accident of this type more likely. In a case like this, it may be possible to show that a local authority was negligent.
Regardless of the circumstances of the accident, to receive a fair level of compensation for your injuries and their impact on you or your loved one’s life, you will need to prove that you were injured due to the negligence of another party.
When it is possible to show that the driver, employer, or other party was to blame, you are entitled to pursue compensation from an insurance company or through a legal claim. Some people choose to do both, as insurance settlements can sometimes be limited, and may not cover the full extent of costs that stem from your or your loved one’s injuries.
Truck Accident Lawyer Fort Lauderdale
A Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer can explain:
- What is necessary to determine negligence
- How we calculate damages
- What evidence we would need to gather
For further information, call the team at The Landau Law Group at (866) 703-4878 today.
How a Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorney gathers evidence
To build a robust case, our team will begin by gathering evidence that will help to demonstrate negligence and the extent of your injuries. The evidence we will gather could include:
- Medical reports
- Witness statements
- Accident reports and police statements
- Photographic evidence
- Accident reconstruction
- CCTV footage
Evidence such as medical reports can also be useful in determining the amount of financial compensation you are due.
This may include compensation for damages like:
- Loss of earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Medical costs
- Vehicle damage
- Care costs
Large truck accidents are often deadly and between 2016 and 2017, there was an increase of 9% in the number of deaths occurring from large trucks. If you lost a loved one in a semi-truck accident, you have a right to pursue compensation in these circumstances. As well as claiming medical or care costs, a court could award you compensation for funeral costs and loss of a partner’s income.
To discuss a potential legal case, find out how to pursue an insurance claim, or to see if we can advise or assist you in any other way, call a Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorney from The Landau Law Group at (866) 703-4878.
State and Federal Regulations Might Apply to Your Case
Each state has its own regulations in place regarding semi-truck safety. Florida has both state and federal laws that apply to road safety, transportation of goods, and for how long a driver can safely work. If the driver, their employer, or other party does not comply with these regulations, then it may be possible to prove that either one or more parties were negligent.
Vicarious Liability WIll Likely Apply in Your Case
One law that applies in many truck accidents is vicarious liability. Vicarious liability holds that the trucking company is liable for any actions the truck driver takes within the scope of their employment.
These regulations can be hard to understand. However, we can use our experience to establish whether a breach of these regulations might have been a factor in your or your loved one’s case. If we can prove a breach, then this could help to strengthen any legal claim you may wish to pursue.
Time Limit for Seeking Compensation Following a Semi-truck Accident
Every state has its own statute of limitations that dictate how long you have to file a legal case. In Florida, the law sets the limit at four years, and two years in the event of wrongful death. However, we must stress the importance of seeking legal advice at the earliest opportunity. This will allow us to start work on assessing your legal claim and to gather the evidence necessary for a strong case.
Truck Accident Attorney Fort Lauderdale
We understand that you or your loved ones will be coming to terms with a difficult situation and taking legal action may not be your immediate concern. However, our firm, with over twenty years of combined legal experience, is available to reassure and guide you through what is often a complex and time-consuming legal process.
Call the team at The Landau Law Group at (866) 703-4878 today to speak to a Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer to find out how we can help you. The initial consultation is free, and you pay us no attorney’s fees unless and until you win compensation.