Gulfport Truck Accident Lawyer
Leave the work of untangling liability, identifying damages, and negotiating a fair settlement to a capable Gulfport truck accident lawyer from Jones Law Group.
Summary
- Truck accidents in Gulfport are more devastating than car accidents due to the significant weight difference, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.
- Florida is among the states with the highest number of truck accidents, with nearly 9,243 incidents reported in 2022.
- Common causes include driver negligence, such as fatigue, poor maintenance, aggressive driving, and distractions like phone use or software interaction.
- Types of accidents include rear-end, t-bone, head-on, rollover, and “no-zone” collisions involving blind spots.
- Liability may fall on multiple parties, including the driver, trucking company, truck owner, loading team, or manufacturer.
- Victims can claim damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and changes in quality of life.
Gulfport is located in Pinellas County, Florida. According to the 2020 census, this city is home to 11,783 residents. Gulfport forms an integral part of the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater metropolitan area, adding its unique flavor to the region’s cultural and coastal appeal.
Truck accidents can cause more severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, internal bleeding, amputations, and wrongful death. While car accidents can cause these injuries as well, they’re more common as a result of large commercial truck accidents.
If you have suffered injuries and losses following a truck accident in Gulfport, FL, an experienced Gulfport personal injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation. Schedule a free case evaluation with Gulfport truck accident lawyers at Jones Law Group by calling (727) 571-1333 or submitting our online contact form.
Why are Truck Accidents More Devastating Than Car Accidents?
The average semi-truck weighs approximately 80,000 pounds when it’s full (and about 35,000 pounds when pulling an empty trailer. The weight of an average passenger car, SUV, or truck is between 3,000 and 3,600 pounds.
A commercial truck can weigh between 32,000 and 78,000 pounds more than the average passenger vehicle. Because of this weight difference, the semi-truck will strike the passenger vehicle with much more force (approximately 26x more if the truck is full).
When a commercial truck hits a passenger vehicle, the effects are much more dangerous than when two passenger vehicles collide because of the difference in weight. The risk of catastrophic injuries in Gulfport increases for passenger vehicle occupants in these scenarios.
Truck Accident Statistics for Gulfport Drivers
According to the National Safety Council, Florida ranks among the states with the most truck accidents in the United States alongside Pennsylvania, California, and Illinois. Recent reports show that the state witnessed 9,243 truck accidents in 2022, resulting in 3,193 injuries and 261 fatalities.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV) reported 28 fatalities, 124 incapacitations, and 1451 other injuries in Florida in 2021. These FLHSMV crash statistics go to show the high risk posed by trucks on Florida roads.
Common Causes of Gulfport Truck Accidents
Unlike car accidents, truck accidents can be caused by more than just the driver. Truck accidents may be the fault of many other parties operating outside of the vehicle. While a truck driver is trained to do their best to stop an accident from occurring, sometimes it’s not possible.
Driver Error and Negligence
Driver negligence is just as common in a truck accident as it is amongst car accidents. Truck drivers owe a duty of care to everyone else on the road, but sometimes this duty is broken, resulting in a Gulfport truck accident.
Distracted Driving
Distractions come in all forms, such as talking on the phone or texting. Some commercial truck drivers may be required to use software (especially those who make local deliveries) while they’re driving.
The use (either improper or as instructed) of devices while driving can cause drivers to be unaware of their surroundings, putting everyone on the road, including themselves, at risk.
Driver Fatigue
Truck driving often means driving for long periods, and while there are strict regulations put into place to keep drivers from getting fatigued, sometimes it’s impossible to avoid.
In the case that a driver takes it upon themselves to drive longer than they’re legally allowed, they could become fatigued and cause a Gulfport truck accident.
Aggressive Driving
Truck drivers should always drive with the utmost care, but it’s possible for a driver to become enraged or annoyed while behind the wheel. This could cause them to speed, cut people off, or merge/change lanes without looking.
Driving Under the Influence
Unfortunately, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a common violation in the trucking industry. Many use stimulants to help themselves stay up on late drives.
Stimulants can have many side effects that make driving dangerous, such as impairing one’s vision, reaction time, judgment, and hearing.
Poor Truck Maintenance
If a truck isn’t properly maintained by the trucking company or truck rental company, an accident could occur because of a malfunction that could have been prevented.
Defective Parts and Equipment
A Gulfport FL truck accident could occur if parts or equipment are defective. For example, if a company sells a defective product and the truck driver operates the vehicle with a faulty part, an accident could occur.
Lack of Training
Lack of training in poor weather conditions such as heavy rain, as well as poor defensive driving or plain vehicle operation training, can cause an accident to occur. Inexperienced drivers are more likely to get into accidents, as they don’t have years of experience learning how to drive defensively.
Improper Loading
How a truck is loaded is incredibly important. If weight is not distributed evenly and correctly, or the load is not properly secured, an accident could occur. Improper loading is a common cause of roll-over accidents.
Common Types of Truck Accidents in Gulfport
Commercial truck accidents in Gulfport, Florida come in different forms.
Rear-End
Drivers who are distracted, speeding, or tailgating can cause rear-end accidents to occur. A rear-end accident occurs when a truck slams into the back of another vehicle. These are especially dangerous when the truck is going at a high speed.
T-Bone
A T-bone accident occurs when the truck strikes another vehicle at a 90-degree angle. These often happen at intersections when a truck driver isn’t paying attention and runs a red light or stop sign.
Head-On
Head-on collisions are rare and often fatal. A head-on accident occurs when a driver loses control of his vehicle and swerves into oncoming traffic, hitting another vehicle head-on.
Rollover
A rollover accident occurs when the truck completes a full or partial roll, often landing on its side. Rollover accidents are caused by tire blowouts, overloading, and taking sharp turns too fast.
No-Zone
A no-zone accident is an accident that occurs because a passenger vehicle is driving in one of the truck driver’s blind spots. If a driver doesn’t make certain that there isn’t anyone in their blind spot before merging or changing lanes, they could cause an accident. This is responsible for many truck accidents at truck stops.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Truck Accident?
There are many parties that can be held liable for your truck accident injuries. Unlike in Gulfport car accidents, the liable party may not be the driver of the vehicle. It’s also possible for multiple parties to play a part in causing the accident.
In most cases, the driver is at fault for the accident because of texting while driving, speeding, aggressive driving, driving under the influence, or fatigued driving. However, your Gulfport truck accident attorney may be able to identify other parties that contributed to the collision.
Third Party Liability in Gulfport Truck Accident Claims
The trucking company may be liable for any accidents that occur because of improper maintenance to the vehicles as well as driver fatigue if they’ve scheduled their drivers past the legal limits.
In some circumstances, the trucks are rented by trucking companies. In these cases, the truck owners are responsible for maintenance, so if a maintenance issue causes an accident, they may be at fault.
If an accident is caused because the vehicle is improperly loaded, such as unsecured loads or overloading, the loading team may be liable.
Finally, in the case that an accident occurs because of a defective part or a malfunction that hadn’t been recalled, the truck manufacturer could be liable.
What Damages Can I Claim in My Truck Accident Case?
Because Gulfport truck accidents can be so devastating, life-threatening, and life-changing, the injuries that victims end up with almost always stick them with large piles of medical debt that they are unsure of how to pay off.
However, while you can receive compensation for your medical debt, that’s not the only thing you can reclaim. You can claim truck accident damages for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability and disfigurement
- And more
Pain and suffering and other non-economic damages are calculated by looking at how much your quality of life has changed before and after the accident. The greater this change and the more you’ll have to adapt to a new lifestyle, the more compensation you’ll receive.
Face the Insurance Company With a Gulfport Truck Accident Lawyer’s Help
Dealing with the aftermath of a Gulfport truck accident can be overwhelming, especially when facing medical bills, lost income, and insurance claims. The truck accident attorneys at Jones Law Group can provide the legal support you need to secure the compensation you deserve.
Collecting and Preserving Evidence
Your truck accident attorney in Gulfport will gather crucial evidence to prove fault, such as truck maintenance records, driver logs, and accident scene photos. This strengthens your claim and increases your chances of success.
Calculating Full Compensation
Truck accidents often result in significant financial losses. Jones Law Group lawyers carefully analyze medical expenses, lost earnings, and future costs to ensure you’re claiming the full amount you’re entitled to.
Skilled Negotiators with Insurance Companies
Dealing with insurance companies can be stressful, especially when they try to minimize your payout. The Gulfport truck crash attorneys at Jones Law Group handle negotiations on your behalf, using their experience to fight for a fair settlement.
Representing You in Court, if Necessary
While many cases settle out of court, some require litigation. If this happens, your Gulfport, FL, truck accident attorney will represent your interests and argue your case before a judge or jury to secure a favorable outcome.
Seek Out a Local Legal Team – Jones Law Group Serves All Gulfport Neighborhoods and Zip Codes
Here are other neighborhoods and zip codes that truck accident lawyers at Jones Law Group serve:
| Neighborhoods Near Gulfport | Zip Codes Near Gulfport |
| St. Petersburg South Pasadena Treasure Island Madeira Beach Pinellas Park Seminole Largo Kenneth City Redington Shores Indian Rocks Beach | 33701 33707 33706 33708 33781 33772 33770 33709 33708 33785 |
What To Do After a Truck Accident
The most important things you should do after being involved in an accident are, gathering your evidence while still at the scene of the crime, filing a police report, receiving immediate medical attention, and hiring a Gulfport truck accident attorney.
It’s vital to your case to ensure that you speak with an attorney before any insurance companies contact you. You should never speak to an insurance company without representation.
They may try to convince you to sign away your ability to sue for damages. They may offer you a low settlement that isn’t anywhere close to what a talented truck accident attorney could get you.
Hire an Experienced Gulfport Truck Accident Attorney Today
If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident, please contact one of our talented attorneys here at Jones Law Group. We have years of experience working on truck accident cases, and we will work hard to get you the compensation that you deserve for your damages.
For more information or a free case evaluation, please contact us online or 727-571-1333. You can also chat with us using the on-screen chat box.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time do I have to file my truck accident claim in Gulfport, FL?
In Gulfport, FL, you must file your truck accident claims within two years from the date of the accident. This deadline is set by the state’s statute of limitations, and missing it can result in you losing your right to claim compensation.
Can I still get compensation if I was partly at fault?
Yes, Florida follows a comparative negligence system. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, but your settlement will be reduced by the percentage of your fault.
What should I do if my loved one died in a truck accident?
If your loved one passed away in a truck accident, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim or survival action. This can help you recover damages for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and emotional suffering.
Should I hire a Gulfport truck accident attorney if the insurance company is willing to settle?
Even if the insurance company offers to settle, hiring a lawyer ensures the settlement is fair and covers all your losses. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts.
