Truck accidents are among the most devastating incidents on Florida’s roads, often resulting in severe injuries, property damage, and even fatalities. In the aftermath of such tragedies, seeking legal assistance becomes imperative, especially considering the complex nature of truck accident cases. In Orlando, truck accident lawyers play a crucial role in helping victims secure the compensation and justice they deserve. Let’s delve into the various aspects of truck accidents in Florida and how attorneys in Orlando can assist.
Common Causes of Orlando Florida Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can occur due to various factors, including:
- Driver Fatigue: Long hours on the road can lead to driver fatigue, impairing judgment and reaction times.
- Distracted Driving: Texting, talking on the phone, or other distractions divert a truck driver’s attention from the road.
- Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly increases the risk of accidents.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to react to unexpected situations, leading to collisions.
- Poor Maintenance: Neglected maintenance issues such as brake failure or tire blowouts can cause accidents.
- Improper Loading: Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo can shift during transit, affecting the truck’s stability.
Liability for Truck Accidents in Orlando Florida
Determining liability in truck accidents can be complex. Parties that may be held accountable include:
- Truck Drivers: If their negligence or recklessness caused the accident.
- Trucking Companies: Responsible for maintaining vehicles and ensuring drivers adhere to regulations.
- Manufacturers: If a defective part contributed to the accident.
In 2022, Florida had the 3rd Most Truck Accidents in the Country
According to recent statistics:
- Florida witnessed 9243 truck accidents in 2022, according to truckinfo.com, resulting in 261 fatalities and 3193 injuries.
- Florida also had the third most semi-truck accidents. There were 5801 semi-truck accidents in Florida in 2022.
- 1987 semi-truck accidents resulted in injury and 186 resulted in death.
The Cost of Truck Accident and Lawsuits
- Less than 2% of reported insurance claims lead to litigation. Most are settled out of court.
- Trucking companies typically pay between $406k to $449k for small verdicts and settlements, while cases over $1 million result in mean payments of $3.1 million.
- Insurance premiums have risen due to nuclear insurance verdicts (meaning high legal judgements typically over one million dollars), affecting small fleets the most.
- Most truck accident lawsuits result in plaintiff payments under $2 million or over $5 million.
- Spin and roll accidents are the most expensive crash types in nuclear verdicts.
- Truck accident lawsuits are more costly when children are involved.
- Cases involving spinal cord injuries incur significantly higher costs.
- Issues such as hours of service violations, driver history, substance use, health-related issues, or improper actions post-crash often result in plaintiff verdicts in nuclear verdict cases.
Types of Injury Cases Orlando, Florida Lawyers Handle
Truck accident lawyers in Orlando handle a range of injury cases, including:
- Head Trauma, Brain Injury, and Traumatic Brain Injuries: Resulting from head trauma during the accident.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Leading to paralysis or other life-altering conditions.
- Neck and Back Injuries: For example, herniated discs, strains, or sprains.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: Common injuries due to the impact of truck collisions. May require surgery, cause work loss, and require significant healing time.
- Burn Injuries: Burns can cause pain and disfigurement. They may require plastic surgery.
- Whiplash: Whiplash can be long-lasting and severely painful.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: These are injuries to the muscles, tendons, or skin. They can result in significant pain for the victim.
Everything You Need to Know About Compensation after a Truck Accident
Victims of truck accidents may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical Expenses: Including past and future medical bills related to the injuries.
- Lost Income: Compensation for wages lost due to the inability to work.
- Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages for physical and emotional distress.
- Property Damage: Repairs or replacement of damaged vehicles or property.
- Punitive Damages: These are awarded when the at-fault party is extremely negligent or caused intentional damage or misconduct.
After a truck accident, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention even if you don’t feel injured. Your body may be in shock. Some injuries won’t immediately present themself. It’s essential to prioritize your health and well-being by seeking medical treatment for your injuries. Prompt documentation of injuries is essential for establishing their extent and connection to the accident.
Once you’ve handled your medical needs, you’ll want to consult with a truck accident lawyer. An experienced attorney can guide you through the legal process. They will advocate for you. The insurance company won’t want to pay, but it’s important that they do and that you’re fully compensated.
Keep thorough records of all medical expenses, repair estimates, and other relevant documentation related to the accident. This evidence will help substantiate your claim for compensation.
Finally, it’s important to avoid discussing the accident. Do not discuss the details of the accident with insurance adjustors or on social media. Anything you say can potentially be used against you in the claims process. Let your attorney do the talking for you.
How to Speak to a Qualified Attorney About Your Truck Accident
You have made the first step visiting this website. If you’re in Florida, we can help. Contact us at 321-900-HELP (321-900-4357) or fill out the form on this website for a free case evaluation. Remember we’re the attorneys who help; it’s in our number!
You will pay nothing unless we win your case. Our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for our clients. We fight hard for our clients to get them the maximum settlement for their injuries.
Truck accidents in Orlando can have devastating consequences, but victims don’t have to face the aftermath alone. With the assistance of skilled truck accident lawyers, individuals can seek justice and rebuild their lives after such traumatic events. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office for guidance and support.
Coretta specializes in handling various insurance disputes and personal injury cases, holding licenses to practice law in all Florida counties and federal courts. Actively engaged in legal committees and community service organizations, Coretta is dedicated to making a positive impact both in and out of the courtroom. Additionally, she was a contributing editor on the Tenth and Eleventh Editions of The Florida Bar’s, Florida Automobile Insurance Law, No-Fault Insurance (2018 and 2019).