If you were injured in a trucking accident, you need the immediate help of an experienced Florida truck accident lawyer.
Here’s how Holliday Karatinos will get the compensation you deserve
- 50+ years of experience
- Personalized attention to YOUR case
- Work fast to obtain evidence
- We know how to deal with insurance companies
- Settlement negotiating
- Winning in the courtroom
Learn more about your legal options by speaking with one of our experienced Florida personal injury lawyers today. We can assist you from start to finish with your claim.
Why Do You Need a Lawyer Who is Experienced with Truck Accidents?
The size and weight of trucks, semi tractor-trailers, and 18-wheeler means that a crash often results in devastating or even fatal injuries. These cases require a lawyer that specializes in large trucking accident litigation because the cases are complex and the stakes are high. Choosing a lawyer without experience in handling truck accident cases could cost you millions of dollars in a settlement.
What is Considered a Truck in a Truck Accident?
When referring to truck accidents, lawyers generally refer to crashes caused by large commercial type trucks. Commercial trucks are vehicles used for the transport of commercial goods or property and are driven by professional truck drivers for compensation. While pickups and large SUVs may be considered trucks by the general public, cases referred to as “truck accidents” are for larger vehicles.
The most common types of trucksTruck Accidents: A Common Occurrence in Florida involved in these kinds of accidents include:
- Tractor-trailers
- 18-wheelers
- Tow trucks
- Garbage & dump trucks
- Tanker trucks
- Concrete mixers
- Construction equipment
- Delivery vehicles
- Log carriers
- Flatbed trailers
- Postal trucks, U-Hauls, Fed Ex & UPS trucks
What Causes Most Truck Accidents?
The cause of most truck accidents is often due to the careless or reckless behavior of a trucker or other driver.
For truck drivers, most accidents can be attributed to
- Fatigue
- Improper training
- Blind spots
- Improper turning
- Equipment failures
- Blown out tires
- Overloading
If a semi or tractor-trailer is not properly loaded, the extra weight may cause it to lose balance. Improperly loaded trucks might affect the truck driver’s ability to stop and control the truck, especially during braking and turns. Because of this, overloaded trucks are at a greater risk for rollovers.
The use of drugs or alcohol, speeding, unnecessary tailgating, neglect to yield, and illegal lane changes can also lead to crashes.
No matter the cause, the resulting damages inflicted on an accident victim are severe. Many victims suffer catastrophic injuries, like spinal cord and brain injuries. Other crashes cause deaths.
When Should I Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
It is smart to hire a truck accident lawyer immediately after the crash.
The trucking company will have its team of investigators on the scene gathering evidence within hours. You're going to need your own team of experts at the location to gather evidence and perform due diligence. In addition, it is very important to have all vehicles inspected as soon as possible. We hire the top accident reconstruction experts, engineers, and metallurgists to take measurements, photograph property damage, and to preserve any evidence that may prove fault for the crash.
We also will have our investigators download the black box or event data recorder from all vehicles. This data provides excellent evidence of driver speeds, braking, and actions before and at the time of the crash. This data is often the best evidence to prove and win your case. You may be able to settle a small car accident case without an attorney, but you will need one for a truck accident case. The trucking lawyers and insurance adjusters are very sophisticated and begin denying fault and defending the case within a short time after the crash. You do not stand a chance against their team unless you have an experienced truck accident lawyer in your corner.
What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?
It's important to stay on the scene after the crash. Leaving the scene, even if only property damage has occurred, without filing a report, can be a criminal offense. You should stay for the police to arrive so you can give your version of how the accident happened. If you were injured, getting prompt medical attention is the most important thing.
It is best to wait for EMS to arrive so you can be treated at the scene before being taken to a hospital. Make sure to describe all of your injuries and pains to emergency medical personnel and the police officers. If your vehicle has significant damage, you should remove personal property before it is towed away. You should get the names and phone numbers of any eyewitnesses and take photographs of all of the involved vehicles. This is valuable evidence. You can even take photos of the driver’s license and insurance card of the other driver to prevent any mistakes.
Serious Injuries Caused in a Truck Accident
While the injuries sustained in any motor vehicle collision can be severe, accidents involving trucks tend to lead to serious injuries. Some damages may be minor — such as scrapes, bruises, and sprains — others may be catastrophic and life-changing.
The most serious injuries suffered in a truck accident can include:
- Traumatic brain injuries, closed head injuries, and concussions
- Spinal cord injures, including quadriplegia and paraplegia
- Back and neck injuries, like herniated discs and bulging discs
- Broken bones and fractures
- Knee and shoulder injuries, such as a torn meniscus or a rotator cuff tear
- Nerve damage in the arms, legs, and hands
- Burns to the face and body
- Permanent scars and disfigurements
- Death
Not just physical but also emotional trauma can be sustained after being in a collision with a semi-truck. This occurs from the physical pain associated with the injuries and the effects on a person due to life-altering injuries. These emotional injuries affect the victim, spouses, partners, and children.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit?
In the state of Florida, you have four years from the date of your truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages. If, however, someone died as a result of the truck accident, you have two years from the date of the death to file a wrongful death claim.
What Factors Determine a Truck Accident Settlement?
There is no guideline for determining the amount, rather the skill and experience of your attorney is what will get you the best settlement. Because every case is completely different, there is no real “average” or “typical” settlement amount for truck accidents.
The factors include the:
- Degree of the negligence of all parties in the crash.
- The seriousness of the injuries, such as a brain injury, spinal cord injury, or bone fractures.
- The manner in which the injuries have affected the person’s normal life and activities.
- Psychological and emotiona trauma resulting from the crash and injuries.
- The permanence of any scars and disfigurements.
- Type of medical treatments, surgeries, and rehabilitation resulting from the collision.
- Loss of income, wages, and earning capacity suffered by the victim.
- Insurance policy limits for the trucking company and truck driver.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
It does not cost anything to hire a truck accident lawyer at Holliday Karatinos Law Firm, PLLC. Our truck accident attorneys only collect a fee if we secure compensation on your behalf. You never have to worry about up-front fees or monthly legal bills.
If you or a loved one were injured in a collision with a semi-truck, we urge you to contact a lawyer today. We invite you to contact our office today for a free review of your case with an experienced attorney.
