Fort Lauderdale Commercial Truck Accidents Attorney
There are millions of commercial trucks operating across the United States and traveling alongside regular traffic. While you may initially think of a semi truck, commercial vehicles actually come in many different varieties and serve many different functions in commerce and public services. One common factor for commercial vehicles is that they tend to be much larger and heavier than other types of passenger vehicles, such as cars and SUVs. This means that commercial trucks have the potential to cause more serious damage and injuries when they are involved in collisions.
Like any other type of motor vehicle, commercial trucks do crash on a regular basis for many different reasons. Anyone involved in a truck collision may sustain serious and even life-changing injuries that require extensive treatment and that can disrupt their lives. If you have been injured in any type of truck accident, it is important to know your rights. Call a Fort Lauderdale commercial truck accident attorney at the law firm of Boone & Davis for a free case evaluation today.
Handling a Wide Range of Truck Crash Cases
The following are only some examples of the many types of commercial truck accident cases our firm handles:
- 18 Wheeler/Semi Truck/Tractor Trailer/Big Rig Accidents
- Mack Truck Accidents
- Flatbed Truck Accidents
- Cement Truck Accidents
- Garbage Truck Accidents
- Heavy Truck Accidents
- Tanker Truck Accidents
- Dump Truck Accidents
- Rental Truck Accidents
- Unsecure Truck Loads
- Truck Accident Insurance Issues
- Car – Truck Collisions
- Preventing Tractor Trailer Accidents
- Truck Accidents and Driver Fatigue
- Truck Accidents and Drug/Alcohol Abuse
Each type of collision will involve unique circumstances that can change how a truck case will unfold, so it is important to have a Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorney who understands the specific type of accident that happened to you.
Who is Responsible for Your Truck Accident?
The first step in most truck accident cases is to determine whether another party caused or contributed to the accident by acting in a negligent manner. The number one cause of truck accidents is an error on the behalf of the truck driver. There are many different ways that truck drivers can be negligent that can lead to a crash, some of which include:
- Distracted driving, including texting, talking on the phone, or having distracting passengers in the truck.
- Driving under the influence of illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications that cause serious side effects.
- Driving while fatigued due to hours of service violations.
- Violating regulations set out by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that pertain to a driver.
- Not completing required pre-trip inspections.
- Speeding, tailgating, dangerous lane changes, and other forms of aggressive driving.
- Operating a commercial truck without a proper commercial driver’s license or the endorsement required for that type of vehicle.
- Driving with a known health condition that can cause serious medical events, such as heart attacks or seizures.
When you first think about negligence in truck accidents, you may immediately assume that the truck driver was negligent, as they commonly are. However, there are other parties that can also be at fault in a truck accident for a variety of reasons, including the following:
- Trucking companies, due to unsafe practices, hiring dangerous drivers, not complying with FMCSA regulations, failing to maintain trucks, and more.
- Truck manufacturers, for selling vehicles or parts that are defective and that malfunction and cause a driver to lose control.
- Mechanics and maintenance crews, who fail to identify potential issues with a truck through careful inspection or who improperly repair a truck.
- Cargo-loading crews, if they overload a truck or do not properly secure the cargo, causing the driver to lose control.
As you can see, many different parties can be responsible for causing your commercial truck accident. It is critical to determine who should be held liable so that you can file your legal claim against the appropriate party. In addition, if a truck driver was negligent, you may be able to also file a claim against the trucking company that employed the driver. An experienced attorney will help you identify any and all negligent parties in your truck accident case through careful investigation.
Recovery in Truck Accident Cases
Determining who was negligent in a truck accident case is not the only complicated task. In addition, you have to determine and prove the damages to which you believe you are entitled. Damages can include many different types of losses – both financial and intangible. Because truck accident cases often involve such serious injuries, the damages can be extensive and may include:
- Medical bills already incurred;
- The estimated costs of future necessary treatment;
- Income that you have already lost from missing work during recovery;
- Estimated future lost income if you are still not able to return to work due to your injuries;
- Physical pain and suffering you experienced from your injuries;
- Emotional distress caused by your injuries or impairments;
- Permanent disfigurement or disabilities caused by your injuries;
- Loss of enjoyment of life;
- Wrongful death compensation for family members if the truck accident resulted in a fatality.
Calculating the value of your truck accident case is a challenging task and a skilled lawyer will seek assistance from trusted experts who can testify and support your damage claims.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
The time immediately following a commercial truck accident can be chaotic. You likely will need emergency medical treatment and may need to notify your work of your coming absence. However, once you have a chance, you should not delay in contacting an experienced Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorney to discuss your legal options. In some cases, your claim can be handled through the insurance process though many cases require filing a legal claim in civil court to ensure you receive the full amount you need and deserve.
The firm of Boone & Davis is committed to representing the rights of truck accident victims in and around Fort Lauderdale. Please call today at 954-566-9919 to discuss your accident for free.
