Largo Truck Accident Attorney
Hiring a Largo truck accident lawyer helps you secure maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
Summary
- Largo is a bustling city in Pinellas County, Florida, that experiences frequent truck accidents due to its busy roads and large population of 82,485 residents.
- Victims of truck accidents face severe injuries and financial burdens, making it crucial to have experienced legal representation to secure deserved compensation.
- Accidents often result from distracted driving, DUI, poor training, fatigue, speeding, mechanical defects, and improper loading, involving multiple liable parties.
- Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal injuries, and wrongful death, each requiring specific medical attention.
- Liability can extend beyond the driver to include trucking companies, loaders, and manufacturers, complicating the determination of fault.
- Victims can claim economic damages like lost wages and medical bills, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
Largo is the third-largest city in Pinellas County and the fourth-largest in the Tampa Bay area. This city is home to a bustling population of 82,485 residents, according to the 2020 Census.
With its busy roads and thriving community, Largo sees its fair share of truck accidents. These incidents can leave victims facing devastating injuries, financial hardships, and emotional distress.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, it’s critical to have experienced legal representation on your side to fight for the compensation you deserve. At Jones Law Group, we are here to help.
Call us today at (727) 571-1333 or submit our online contact form to schedule your free consultation with a Largo truck accident attorney.
Truck Accident Statistics
While the average car only weighs about 1.4 tons or 2,871 pounds, the average commercial truck weighs about 35,000 pounds unloaded with a maximum weight of 80,000 pounds when loaded.
That means that a commercial truck weighs nearly thirty times as much as the average passenger car. Because the weights are so different, the force that a truck causes when crashing into a passenger car can cause catastrophic injuries.
In fact, in 2018, 4,136 people died in large truck crashes across the United States. 67% of these fatalities were passenger car occupants, 15% were pedestrians, motorcyclists, or bicyclists, and 16% were commercial truck occupants.
In most cases, when a truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the occupants of the passenger vehicle are going to be the ones who end up more injured.
And when vulnerable road users are injured in a Largo truck accident, they tend to sustain catastrophic or fatal injuries. That’s why the average compensation for motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists is often high in these cases.
Jones Law Group Works With All Largo Communities
Residents of Largo and the surrounding areas can benefit from our legal services after a truck accident has altered their lives. We represent clients from areas such as:
| Neighborhoods in and Around Largo | Largo Area Zip Codes |
| Belleair Harbor Bluffs New Haven Baskin Whispering Pines Wyatt Street Fairway Village Shadow Pines | 33770 33771 33773 33774 33778 33779 33786 33785 |
Potential Causes of Largo Truck Accidents
There are a variety of different circumstances that can cause truck accidents, and unlike car accidents, truck accidents can be caused by many different third parties, such as the employer of the truck driver, or because of improper loading of the vehicle.
Truck Driver Error and Trucking Company Negligence Contribute to Largo Crashes
Largo truck accident causes include:
- Distracted Driving: Any form of driving while distracted, especially as a truck driver operating a large commercial vehicle can be extremely dangerous. Texting, eating, talking, and using the phone while driving, or even using mandated technology can cause an accident to occur.
- DUI/DWI: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is unfortunately very common amongst truck drivers, as they may use drugs to keep themselves awake on long trips, leading to poor reaction times, hallucinations, and poor decision-making.
- Inexperienced: Drivers who are inexperienced or poorly trained may not know how to act in certain scenarios. Therefore, they may not be as good at avoiding an accident as other more experienced truck drivers.
- Poor Training: A driver who has not been trained properly may also cause a Largo truck accident, but in situations like these, this could be the fault of both the driver and the company that trained them.
- Fatigue or Exhaustion: Truck drivers are limited in the amount of hours they’re allowed to work per day and per week. There are specific regulations that require them to take breaks. However, even with these restrictions, truck drivers may still be exhausted or fatigued.
- Speeding: It’s much harder to slow down a massive truck than it is a passenger car, so speeding while driving a commercial vehicle is incredibly unsafe and can lead to accidents.
- Mechanical Defects: If the truck malfunctions, for example, the brakes give out, or something about the mechanics of the vehicle fail, it could cause a Largo truck accident.
- Improper Loading: Trucks must be loaded a certain way to ensure safe driving. If the weight isn’t properly distributed, or if objects aren’t secured before driving, an accident could occur.
Common Injuries from Truck Accidents
Truck accident victims may have permanent disabilities or need considerable time to recover from their injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries are caused by blunt force trauma or penetration to the head. These injuries can be minor, like a concussion, or more severe, causing permanent brain damage and death.
For example, coup/contrecoup injuries are a much more severe brain injury that occurs when the brain shifts back and forth in the skull, causing damage to both the site of the injury, and the opposing side of the brain.
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries are also very common in Largo FL truck accidents, because of the force that a truck may collide with a passenger car. Largo truck accident victims with spinal cord injuries can experience paralysis, either incomplete or complete.
Incomplete paralysis means that there isn’t a total loss of ability below the site of the injury. However, complete paralysis means that there is a total loss of ability below the site of the injury.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Broken bones and fractures are often easy to take care of, if the bone hasn’t been too badly broken or shifted out of place. If the bone requires setting or reconstructing before placing into a cast, you may have to have surgery.
The area will then be placed in a cast to make sure that the bone heals properly in the right locations. Sometimes bones will break cleanly, and surgery won’t be required.
Internal Injuries
In a Largo motor vehicle accident, internal injuries are a common effect of blunt force trauma. Internal injuries can be tricky, as you may not be aware that you have one right away. Adrenaline may mask the pain of your injury.
If you don’t get an internal injury checked out right away, it could get worse. Internal injuries include damage to the organs and internal bleeding. Both often require surgery to correct the issue.
Wrongful Death
Unfortunately, sometimes Largo truck accidents do cause death. Death may occur at the scene of the accident or later on because of complications associated with the injuries sustained from the accident. If someone you love has passed away because of a truck accident, our attorneys can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Who Can Be Liable for a Largo Truck Accident?
Truck drivers are often liable for Largo truck accidents, especially when things like distracted driving, impaired driving, aggressive driving, and spending are concerned.
However, the trucking company may be involved in the accident because of improper training, overscheduling of employees leading to fatigue or exhaustion, or poor vehicle maintenance.
In some cases, the truck loaders may also be responsible for an accident if the truck was loaded improperly. The manufacturer of the truck could also be liable if a part was defective or malfunctioned, causing the accident.
With Largo truck accidents, liability can be trickier than car accidents, as many parties can be involved. However, hiring an experienced attorney can help you to properly determine who exactly was liable for the accident.
Compensation for Damages in a Largo Truck Accident Lawsuit
You can claim both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include wages you may have lost while you were out of work, or wages you may continue to lose in the future, as well as any medical bills you’ve accumulated.
Non-economic damages cover things like pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of earning capacity, and compensation for permanent disability or disfigurement. This number is determined by looking at how much the Largo truck accident has changed your quality of life.
If your life is much different than it was before the accident due to Largo catastrophic injuries, you’ll receive more compensation.
What Steps Should I Take After a Truck Accident in Largo?
Knowing what to do after a truck accident safeguards your rights and strengthens your case. Here are the critical steps to take as a largo truck accident victim:
- Prioritize Safety and Seek Medical Attention: Your health comes first. If possible, move to a safe location and call 911 for medical assistance, even if you think your injuries are minor, because adrenaline can mask symptoms.
- Report the Accident to Authorities: Contact the Largo police department and ensure an official report is created. This document will be vital for your Florida truck accident claim.
- Gather Evidence at the Scene: Collect photographs of the vehicles, road conditions, and visible injuries. Also, gather contact details for any witnesses.
- Avoid Admitting Fault: Be careful with your words. Even an innocent apology can be misinterpreted as admitting liability.
- Consult an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney: A skilled Largo personal injury lawyer can help protect your legal rights, manage communication with insurers, and pursue fair compensation for your losses.
Let Jones Law Group’s Largo Truck Accident Attorneys Confront the Insurance Company
If you’ve suffered injuries or losses in a Largo FL truck accident, navigating the stages of a truck accident lawsuit alone may feel overwhelming. The seasoned Largo truck accident attorneys at Jones Law Group are ready to guide you every step of the way.
We’ll stand up for your rights and handle your truck accident case with the expertise it deserves.
Comprehensive Case Evaluation
Our Largo personal injury attorneys start by thoroughly evaluating your case to determine fault and calculate potential damages. By reviewing police reports, medical records, and accident evidence, we build a clear and compelling case to support your claim.
Collecting Critical Evidence
Truck accident cases often involve complex investigations. We gather vital evidence such as driver logs, maintenance records, and black box data to prove negligence and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters may try to diminish the value of your claim. Our truck accident attorneys in Largo negotiate aggressively on your behalf, countering unfair settlement offers and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
Pursuing Maximum Compensation
Truck accidents can result in substantial medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We fight tirelessly to recover full compensation for all your economic and non-economic losses so that you can focus on recovery.
Representing Your Truck Accident Lawsuit in Court
While many cases settle out of court, we are prepared to take your case to trial if necessary. Our team will represent you confidently and persuasively, advocating for your best interests every step of the way.
Be Sure to Contact a Largo Truck Accident Attorney for Help
If you or someone you love has been injured in a commercial truck accident, please contact one of our talented Largo attorneys here at Jones Law Group. Our staff has years of experience working on truck accident cases, and we’re ready to take on yours.
For more information or a free case evaluation, please contact us online by using our chat box option or by calling us at (727) 571-1333.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time do I have to file a truck accident claim in Largo, FL?
Under Florida law, Largo truck accident victims have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury claim. Missing this deadline may prevent you from pursuing compensation, so acting quickly is crucial.
Do I need to hire a lawyer if my injuries are minor?
Even seemingly minor injuries can lead to unexpected medical issues or expenses down the line. Consulting with a Largo accident injury lawyer protects your rights. They can also help you secure the compensation you deserve for your truck accident damages.
Should I accept the settlement offer from the insurance company?
Insurance companies often provide low initial settlement offers. Before accepting any offer, consult a Largo truck accident attorney to ensure it fully covers your medical costs, lost wages, and other damages.
How much is my Largo truck accident claim worth?
The value of your claim depends on factors like your medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering. An experienced truck accident lawyer in Largo can provide a detailed evaluation of your case.
