Madeira Beach Truck Accident Attorney
Truck accidents often result in devastating and severe injuries, more so than car accidents do because of the sheer amount of force a large commercial vehicle exerts. Large truck accidents, unfortunately, result in fatality more often as well, meaning these types of lawsuits can be more complex. When an accident results in serious injuries or fatality, hiring an attorney is even more important.
Insurance companies are known for trying to take advantage of vulnerable parties, whether they’re injured or they’ve just lost someone close to them. Having an attorney allows someone who hasn’t been personally affected by the accident to advocate for you, ensuring that you aren’t taken advantage of.
Our attorneys here at Jones Law Group in Tampa Bay, Florida are ready to take on your case and help you get the compensation that you deserve for your damages. For more information about truck accident lawsuits and how you can contact us to schedule a free case evaluation, please keep reading.
Madeira Beach, Florida Truck Accident Statistics
- In the United States, there were 4,119 fatalities because of truck accidents in 2019.
- 67% of these fatalities were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, 15% were pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, and 16% were large truck occupants.
- Large trucks account for 10% of all vehicles involved in fatal accidents.
- Most accidents occur during the day between noon and 3 PM.
- 74% of all fatal passenger vehicle cases include a large truck.
- Males account for 97% of all truck driver fatalities.
- Only 5.8% of truck drivers in the US are women.
- Fatalities because of truck accidents have increased 52% since 2009.
- Florida accounts for 5% of all fatal US truck accidents.
- For every 1,000 miles of public road in Florida, there are 2.6 trucks involved in fatal crashes.
What are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
There are many different causes of car accidents, as there are many different parties that can be negligent in causing an accident. The most common causes of car accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Driver fatigue
- Impaired driving
- Speeding
- Lack of experience or training
- Failure to obey traffic laws
- Failure to obey trucking regulations
- Poor judgment or poor critical thinking skills
- Unsecured loads or properly loaded trucks
- Improperly stowed hazardous materials
- Overscheduled drivers
- Mechanical error or defective parts
- Improperly maintained vehicles
- Failure to change a recalled part
- Failure to adapt to changes in weather conditions
How to Prove Negligence in a Truck Accident Case
Establishing negligence after a truck accident is one of the most important steps at the beginning of your lawsuit. You must be able to prove that someone was negligent in causing your accident, and because of their negligence, you were injured and have damages to claim.
To establish negligence, you’ll have to prove that:
- The trucker or the third party had a duty to be reasonably careful in operating their vehicle (or in employing truckers, loading cargo, renting out vehicles, and more)
- The trucker or third party breached this duty
- The breach of duty directly caused your injuries to occur
- There are injuries that can be proven and a monetary loss associated with your case. Without a monetary loss or other damages, you cannot file a lawsuit (as there would be nothing to gain from it)
To prove the above requirements, your attorney will investigate your case. They will speak to any witnesses whose information you gathered, speak to the trucking company, and even have the truck evaluated by a mechanic that they trust.
Third-Party Liability in Truck Accident Cases
Third-party liability is common in truck accident cases and means that another party other than the truck driver is liable for your accident. Other parties that can be liable for your truck accident include:
- Trucking company
- Manufacturer of truck
- Truck loaders
- Owner of truck
The trucking company may be liable in cases where trucking regulations are broken, specifically if they’re responsible for scheduling employees past legal limits. They may also be liable if the trucks are maintained well or haven’t received proper service. It’s their responsibility to ensure that the vehicles are driveable at all times. If the trucks are rentals, the truck loader is responsible for making sure the vehicles are serviced and well-maintained.
Manufacturers may be liable in the case of defective products, and loaders may be liable if improper loading causes an accident.
Receiving Compensation for Your Injuries
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, you’re entitled to compensation for your damages. You can receive compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of earning capacity
- Permanent disability, disfigurement, or scarring
- Change to your quality of life
Hire an Experienced Madeira Beach Truck Accident Attorney
If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident, contact an attorney is your best move. An experienced attorney will be able to properly investigate your case, determine liability, and get you the most compensation possible for your damages.
Our attorneys here at Jones Law Group have years of experience working on truck accident cases, and we’re ready to help you get the compensation that you deserve. For more information or to schedule a free case evaluation, please contact us online or at 727-571-1333.
