Florida Truck Crash Injury Attorneys Dedicated to Recovering Compensation for Accident Victims
Truck accidents are different from accidents involving smaller motor vehicles. First and foremost, commercial truck drivers are paid based upon their deliveries—the more deliveries they make, the higher their earnings. This provides a built-in incentive for them to spend as much time on the road as possible, leading to high incidences of truck driver fatigue. Further, if you are injured in a car accident, you generally need only negotiate with another private individual and your personal insurance company. In a truck accident, however, you often must communicate with a large trucking company and their team of defense attorneys. Recovering compensation for injury or death caused by a truck accident or fatal truck accident in Florida can be complex and complicated because it is likely that multiple parties and multiple insurance companies will be involved. That’s why you need skilled Florida truck accident lawyers on your side.
Because of the potential for large compensation awards in truck accident claims, trucking companies will usually go to great lengths to defend their truck drivers and minimize their own liability in a personal injury or wrongful death case. Attorney Charles Cartwright’s experience working in the insurance industry can provide a powerful asset in these cases because he understands the nuanced strategies that the insurance companies will attempt to use in order to reduce a victim’s recovery. Contact Gonzalez & Cartwright today to schedule a free consultation about your truck accident case with an experienced Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer.
Insurance and Liability Issues in a Truck Accident Case
After a truck accident or fatal truck accident, it will likely be necessary to negotiate with several different insurance carriers, as well as the trucking company’s attorneys. For example, in some cases, the actual “trailer” that carries the truck’s cargo is owned by a different company than the cab of the truck. Establishing liability will require expert assistance that can be provided by skilled Florida truck accident lawyers.
Negligent parties in a Fort Lauderdale truck accident case may include:
- The truck driver.
- The company that owns the truck.
- The company that loaded the cargo onto the truck.
- The maintenance company.
- The truck manufacturer.
- A “broker” who can be used to connect the trucking company with the cargo company and who may be responsible for tracking movement of the cargo.
At Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A., our Florida truck accident lawyers leave no stone unturned in discovering the negligent party and holding that party accountable for injuries or death sustained as a result of a truck accident.
Why Choose Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. to Protect Your Rights Following a Truck Accident?
At Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A., we go to great lengths to ensure that our clients are properly compensated for injuries or death resulting from a truck accident. Complications arise in any case where negligence is involved, and it can often be difficult to prove which party was, in fact, negligent. We have over three decades of combined experience in the insurance industry and in securing awards of compensation for our clients in Florida, and our track record speaks for itself. We are prepared to thoroughly investigate each truck accident or fatal truck accident case by examining:
- The vehicle’s black box, if available.
- Maintenance logs, and whether they were maintained in accordance with federal and state laws.
- Employment records, to determine whether the driver was properly trained.
- Records of truck inspections.
- Driver certifications.
- The driver’s driving record.
- The condition of the vehicle.
- Witness testimony.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Experienced Florida Truck Accident Lawyers
Our Fort Lauderdale attorneys are skilled at handling the complicated issues that can arise in cases involving injury or death resulting from a truck accident or a fatal truck accident. Whether you are pursuing a claim for damages resulting from injuries or for wrongful death in a truck crash, our truck crash attorneys in FL understand how important your case is. We personally keep our clients apprised through every step as their case progresses. Contact our office today. We offer a free initial consultation to each of our clients so that we can explain your options and understand your goals with respect to the case. We have our main office located at 813 Lucerne Ave, Lake Worth, FL 33460, as well as an office in Pompano Beach, Florida.
Florida Accident Lawyers Committed to Protecting the Rights of Truck Accident Victims
It’s important to have someone on your side who understands the legal process after you have been injured in a truck accident. At Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A., our experienced accident lawyers have devoted our careers to protecting the rights of accident victims throughout Florida. We’re here to answer all of the questions that you may have about the legal process for recovering the fair compensation you need to recover from the extensive injuries that truck accidents can cause.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents in Florida
If your injuries are severe enough, you should be able to sue the at-fault party regardless of what your policy says. Car insurance policies have a “full tort” or a “limited tort” option. If your policy is full tort, you can sue the at-fault party for compensation. Limited tort policies only allow you to sue the at-fault party for compensation for medical expenses. However, if the truck accident caused death or permanent, severe injuries, this limit does not apply, and you should be able to sue for non-tangible compensation, such as pain and suffering.
We handle truck accident cases throughout all of Florida including but not limited to:
Palm Beach County Truck Accidents
Broward County Truck Accidents
Pompano Beach Truck Accidents
Lake Worth Truck Accidents
Fort Lauderdale Truck Accidents
Boca Raton Truck Accidents
Delray Beach Truck Accidents
Wellington Truck Accidents
Boynton Beach Truck Accidents
West Palm Beach Truck Accidents
Miramar Truck Accidents
Jupiter Truck Accidents
Hollywood Truck Accidents
Pembroke Pines Truck Accidents
Coral Springs Truck Accidents
Sunrise Truck Accidents
Plantation Truck Accidents
You should never accept a settlement offer from an insurance company without first consulting with an attorney. At Gonzalez & Cartwright, we understand the expenses that you may be facing, but initial offers from insurance companies are often significantly lower than what your case is worth. Further, you may have difficulty anticipating the future expenses that you could be facing following injury in a truck accident. We have years of experience in handling these cases, and we have seen how extensive the injuries sustained in a truck accident can be. Before accepting a settlement offer from the insurance company, contact us for a free consultation so that we can discuss the potential value of your case.
If you witness a truck accident or are fortunate enough to escape without serious injuries, call 911 immediately. Truck accident victims often require immediate medical attention. Check to see if anyone at the scene requires help while waiting for emergency vehicles to arrive. While at the scene, take photos and videos of the crash site and exchange contact information with anyone else at the site—including the other driver, passengers and any eyewitnesses. You should also schedule a free consultation with an experienced truck accident lawyer who can evaluate your case.
When fighting to recover compensation after a truck accident, you will likely be facing a large trucking company with a commercial insurance policy. These companies hire teams of defense lawyers to minimize their own financial responsibility for your injuries. This, and the fact that your injuries are likely to be extensive after a truck accident, makes an experienced attorney an often-critical asset in your case. Your lawyer will understand the law and have experience negotiating with insurance companies and defense lawyers to get the fair compensation you need. Your lawyer can also help you understand the amount that is fair in your case and will be prepared to fight for your rights at trial if necessary.
Our truck accident attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means that we only collect legal fees if we recover compensation in your case. Our fee is based upon a percentage of the amount that you are awarded for your injuries. Our initial consultation is free, and we can provide more detailed information about how we recover attorney fees and costs associated with pursuing your claim.
You want the best possible truck accident attorney by your side to fight for your right to fair compensation. Importantly, you should look for a truck accident lawyer with experience successfully helping other accident victims recover compensation. Client testimonials and the lawyer’s reputation in the community can both provide valuable evidence of your lawyer’s skill and experience. You should also look for a truck accident attorney who will listen to your story and get to know you. This gives you the best chance of making sure your lawyer is considering your personal preferences and needs when working to resolve your case.
The more serious and permanent your injury, the higher your compensation award will be. Every compensation award is different and should account for:
-Current and future medical expenses,
-Lost wages,
-Loss of your future ability to earn a living,
-Pain and suffering,
-Permanent disability or disfigurement,
-Wrongful death.
The exact worth of your case will depend upon your injuries, your occupation and the amount of property damage caused by the accident.
The size, weight and potentially hazardous cargo carried by large commercial trucks all contribute to the potentially devastating consequences of truck accidents. Commercial semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, meaning that they are capable of crushing an ordinary personal vehicle, which usually weighs around 3,000 pounds.
Related: 5 Crucial Differences Between Car and Truck Accidents in Florida
In some cases, you might not initially know who was at fault in a truck accident. Evidence at the scene of the accident, including skid marks, location of the vehicles and the truck driver’s demeanor can all be used to determine fault. Some commercial trucks are also loaded with a black box recording device, which can provide evidence about things like truck speed and functionality at the time leading up to the accident.
Yes. Lost wages should be included in any fair compensation award for injuries sustained in a truck accident.
Although the driver might be technically responsible for causing the accident, the trucking company will usually be financially responsible. This is because the truck driver is often employed by the trucking company. Employers are legally responsible for accidents that their employees cause while on the job in most cases. In some cases, the trucking company might even be primarily responsible—such as in cases where the company failed to properly maintain the truck and the accident was caused by that failure.
Related: 5 Common Causes Of Truck Accidents
Yes, in some cases. Florida follows a pure comparative negligence standard. This means that you can recover compensation if someone else was partially responsible for causing the accident even if you were also partly responsible. Your compensation will be limited to the amount of fault attributed to the other driver’s actions.
Not without first talking to an experienced truck accident lawyer. You may legally be required to provide a statement to the insurance adjuster, but you don’t have to provide it immediately. Speak with a lawyer first to make sure you don’t accidentally say something that can be used against you to reduce the value of your compensation award.
The insurance company’s initial settlement award is likely to be a very low estimation of the value of your truck accident claim. The insurance company wants to resolve possibly high-value truck accident cases quickly and by paying the lowest amount possible. They know that you might need compensation right now because you might not be able to work, and your medical bills might be skyrocketing. This doesn’t mean that the compensation award is fair. If you accept, you forfeit your right to recover additional compensation in the future if that amount doesn’t cover all of your expenses.
Contact Our Trusted Personal Injury Attorneys to Discuss Your Lake Worth Truck Accident Case Today
We know that the process of recovering physically from truck accident injuries can make it difficult to focus on your need for financial compensation. Our lawyers are available to visit you in the hospital or in your home while you recover—or you can schedule a free consultation in our Lake Worth office.