Truck Accident Lawyers
Helping Victims of Large Commercial Vehicle Crashes
If you have recently been involved in a car accident with a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer, or any other large commercial vehicle, you are likely facing significant physical, financial, and emotional challenges. These types of accidents tend to result in catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, and extensive property damage. Victims must often deal with exorbitant medical bills, high vehicle repair costs, and permanent injuries that affect everything from their ability to work to their ability to care for themselves.
At Fischer Redavid PLLC, we understand just how severe large truck accidents are, as well as the impact they have on victims and their families. Our truck accident attorneys are committed to maximizing recoveries for those injured in these accidents, as well as the families of those who have tragically lost loved ones due to fatal commercial vehicle collisions. Throughout our years in practice, we have recovered millions of dollars for our clients and have successfully held liable parties accountable for the immense pain and suffering they have caused.
Are you an attorney with questions or a case to refer? Reach out to us for a consultation with one of our lawyers, or simply give us a call today at (888) 694-0708.
Determining Liability in a Truck Accident Case
Truck accident cases tend to be much more complex than standard car accident claims. One reason for this is the issue of liability.
In a regular car accident case, the person or party who directly caused the accident is typically the one responsible for the injured party’s damages. However, because there is a myriad of factors involved in most truck accidents, identifying the liable party can be a lot more complicated.
For example, a truck driver may have directly caused the accident by making a mistake on the road. However, it could be possible that the truck driver made the mistake because they were fatigued, having driven beyond the permitted hours of service due to unreasonable pressure from their employer to meet strict quotas and deadlines. If this were the case, both the truck driver and their employer may share some of the blame.
It is important that you work with a knowledgeable and experienced truck accident attorney who can navigate the many nuances found in these cases. At Fischer Redavid PLLC, we know how to effectively determine liability and fight for maximum compensation for our clients.
Damages in Truck Accident Claims
Victims of large commercial vehicle accidents often suffer severe bodily injuries, many of which lead to permanent impairment, disfigurement, or disability. As a result, they are often left with massive medical bills, weeks or months of missed wages, and other significant physical, financial, and emotional hardships.
By filing a truck accident injury claim, you can seek compensation for these and other damages resulting from the accident, including:
- Medical expenses
- Future care costs
- Lost income/wages
- Lost earning ability
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- In-home assistance/care
- Inconvenience
Sometimes, it may even be possible to recover punitive damages. Also known as exemplary damages, punitive damages are meant to punish the at-fault party for acts of egregious negligence or intentional misconduct, resulting in bodily injury or death.
At Fischer Redavid PLLC, our truck accident lawyers seek maximum compensation for our clients. We work carefully to identify all of your past, current, and future losses; then, we develop powerful cases aimed at compensating you for all of these losses.
Are you an attorney with questions or a case to refer? Reach out to us for a consultation with one of our lawyers, or simply give us a call today at (888) 694-0708. We can assist you in English, Spanish, or Creole.
How Do Large Truck Accidents Happen?
Just like other types of motor vehicle accidents, most truck accidents are the result of negligence. Sometimes, the truck driver acts carelessly; in other instances, the trucking company engages in negligent hiring practices, or the party responsible for loading cargo fails to follow federal or state weight limit regulations. In any case, the person or party responsible for the incident can be held legally liable for the victim’s resulting damages.
Some of the most common causes of large truck accidents include:
- Truck Driver Negligence: Truck drivers receive extensive training, but that does not stop them from making mistakes or behaving negligently behind the wheel. Many large truck accidents result from the carelessness or recklessness of truck drivers. Examples include driving while distracted, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, violating traffic laws, failing to yield the right of way, and engaging in aggressive driving behaviors.
- Hours-of-Service Violations: Truck drivers are required to follow what are known as “hours-of-service” laws. These laws dictate how many hours a trucker can drive, as well as when they must take rest breaks and how long those breaks must be. The goal of hours-of-service regulations is to prevent fatigued driving, which can be deadly. When truck drivers violate these rules, regardless of the reason, they can cause devastating accidents.
- Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Trucks: Semi-trucks, big rigs, and other large commercial vehicles often carry multiple tons of cargo, including hazardous substances that must be properly contained. To help prevent accidents, federal and state laws restrict the amount of cargo trucks can carry, as well as the overall weight fully loaded trucks can be. Overloaded or improperly loaded trucks can lead to all sorts of issues, including serious accidents.
- Inadequate Truck Maintenance: Truck drivers and trucking companies are responsible for conducting routine vehicle inspections and maintenance. Additionally, companies that own or lease large trucks must regularly maintain and repair these vehicles. Failure to do so constitutes negligence and may lead to serious accidents. If a truck driver, trucking company, or another entity failed to complete adequate truck maintenance, they could be held liable.
- Trucking Company Negligence: Trucking companies can often be held liable for the conduct of their employees, including truck drivers. Negligence by the trucking company could also serve as grounds for liability in a truck accident claim. Some examples of trucking company negligence include failing to conduct background checks on truck drivers, failing to discipline truck drivers who violate company policies, and pressuring truck drivers to meet unrealistic quotas.
- Defective Trucks or Truck Parts: Just as passenger vehicles can contain defects, so too can large commercial vehicles, like semi-trucks and tractor-trailers. Some common examples of truck defects include defective tires that “blow out” while the truck is moving, faulty braking systems that fail to work, broken taillights, engine defects, and missing reflective strips or warnings.
At Fischer Redavid PLLC, our truck accident lawyers work with professional accident reconstructionist and other experts to identify exactly how a crash occurred. Armed with this information, we are able to determine who is liable, whether it’s the truck driver, the trucking company, or some other party.
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Contact Our Truck Accident Team Today
If you or someone you love was involved in an accident with a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, big rig, or tractor-trailer, reach out to the team at Fischer Redavid PLLC today. We have successfully represented victims of all types of commercial vehicle accidents, including those involving Amazon Prime delivery trucks, vehicles transporting hazardous materials, and more. We are ready to help you fight for every penny you deserve.
We have multiple locations in Florida, Georgia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn how our experienced legal team can assist you with your claim today.