Jacksonville Truck Accident Attorneys
Get the Help You Need after a Serious Accident
Getting hurt in a truck accident is traumatic, painful, and, in many cases, life-changing. You can trust the Jacksonville truck accident lawyers at Burnetti, P.A. to secure the compensation that can help you move forward. Our attorneys have years of experience handling a wide range of injury cases. We are not afraid to take on challenging cases and can give you a fighting chance. We have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts and would be proud to help you.
To learn more about how we can help you, contact our firm online or call (888) 444-8508.
Why Are Tractor-Trailer Accident Cases So Challenging?
In many cases, the trucking company is on the scene before you have even a chance to leave, filing a report with the Florida Highway Patrol and taking pictures of the wreckage. They hope to capitalize on expediency and protect their financial interests by minimizing any potential claims. Your claim may also be further complicated if other vehicles and people were caught up in the destruction of the wreck. If a defective truck part was a potential cause, then an auto maker or parts manufacturer could also become liable in your claim. Since there may be multiple parties and multiple insurance companies involved in a case, it is usually essential to hire an attorney who can analyze the accident from your perspective.
Common Tactics Used by Trucking Companies
Trucking companies often deploy various tactics to minimize or discredit truck accident claims. As mentioned earlier, one common strategy is to quickly dispatch accident investigators to the scene. These investigators are trained to gather evidence that could be used to support the company's version of events. They may take photographs, collect witness statements, and even attempt to manipulate accident reports, all to shift blame away from their drivers.
Additionally, trucking companies might delay the legal process to pressure victims into accepting lower settlements. They also frequently exploit complex legal loopholes, arguing that contracted drivers are independent operators and not employees, which can complicate liability.
Trucking companies often have large legal teams and insurance adjusters adept at protecting their interests, making it critical for accident victims to have experienced representation on their side. By understanding these tactics, victims can better prepare to protect their rights and secure the compensation they deserve.
What Causes Truck Accidents?
There are many different reasons why truck accidents happen. Some of the most common causes include the following:
- Speeding: Truckers work on tight schedules and often have to travel hundreds of miles in a day in order to keep their appointments. As a result, many of them will speed to try and stay on track. Unfortunately, that puts them, as well as other drivers, in danger.
- Drunk Driving: Far too many truck drivers turn to drugs or alcohol to help them stay awake and alert on the road. No matter the reason, it is never acceptable and always extremely risky.
- Distracted Driving: Whenever drivers take their eyes off the road and their minds off what they are doing, they are distracted. This occurs often in trucking accidents, sometimes because the truck driver is staring at their smartphone, GPS, or even trying to eat or drink as they are driving.
- Tailgating: Rear-end truck accidents are serious, in part because of the size and weight of these large vehicles. Tailgating happens when a truck driver follows the car in front of them too closely. When the car in front tries to stop the truck behind them barrels into the preceding vehicle. This is even more common in rainy or snowy conditions when braking is dangerous, or during traffic congestion when the truck driver simply can’t stop quickly enough in order to avoid hitting the other vehicle.
- Loaded Cargo: If truck trailers are loaded incorrectly, they can tip over or detach from the truck, leading to substantial trucking accidents.
- Vehicle Mechanics: Just like other vehicles, trucks also need routine maintenance. Truckers need to pay close attention to their tires and brakes, along with many other things. For a vehicle so large, even minor issues can be serious, and a failure to maintain a truck can have serious ramifications.
What to Do Following a Trucking Accident
If you are involved in a trucking accident, there are steps you need to take to ensure your safety and your future right to a personal injury claim.
- Call 911. If you have been in a truck accident, one of the first things you need to do is call 911. You also need to stay at the scene of the accident, at least until law enforcement and emergency medical services have arrived.
- Seek medical attention. Before the accident, you may have been en route to work or to pick up your children. While missing a work shift is frustrating or being late is disappointing, those things should not be your main concern. If you have been hurt, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible. In many cases, severe injuries are not immediately apparent, and that is one main reason people fail to seek appropriate medical care. The longer an injury goes without medical treatment, the worse the outcome can be.
- Do not talk to anyone. At the accident scene, avoid the company representative and insurance adjuster from the truck company. They will not have your best interests in mind and will do their best to get you to say something that will harm your case. You are not required to give these people a statement.
- Gather information. If you can do so safely, gather as much information as you can at the accident scene. This includes anything you will need to file a personal injury claim. Get the names of all drivers and passengers involved as well as anyone who may have been a witness to the accident. You will also need to collect insurance and contact information for all drivers. Finally, if possible, take pictures of the scene.
- Consult with an attorney. The sooner you reach out to a personal injury attorney near Jacksonville, the better. In the days following your accident, the trucking company will investigate the crash. They will look for evidence to prove you were partially or mostly at fault. Don't let them get the better of you, contact a lawyer immediately.
What Are Common Truck Accident Injuries?
Due to the size of tractor-trailers, injuries that occur in a truck accident are often more catastrophic than those in a car crash. Below are some of the injuries regularly caused by accidents with large commercial trucks.
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Neck injuries and whiplash
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Back injuries
- Internal injuries, like injuries to the lungs or spleen
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Amputations
- Soft tissue injuries, such as a torn rotator cuff or meniscus
- Cuts and lacerations
Damages in a Truck Accident Claim
When you are facing mounting medical bills and time out of work, you need compensation to help pay for these costs. Sometimes, there is more to a truck accident claim than simply physical injuries. You can also seek compensation for mental and emotional trauma. What type of damages you may be entitled to will depend on the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Potential damages include:
- Current and ongoing medical bills: You may not realize the extent of the injuries until a few hours or even days later. Give yourself buffer time to see how you are recovering from the crash before agreeing to any settlement. Some injuries can never be completely fixed, and you may be required to be on regular medication or physically restricted after the accident. The responsible party should pay for all current and ongoing medical bills.
- Lost wages: Depending on the accident and severity of your injuries, you may have to miss work. Losing weeks or months of work means no money is coming in. If you are temporarily disabled because of the crash, the responsible party should pay for all lost wages. Additionally, if you are never physically able to return to your old job in any capacity, you are likely owed compensation for future lost wages.
- Damaged property: After the accident, your car, motorcycle, or bike is likely to be heavily damaged. In some cases, your vehicle may not be recognizable. If the other party was at fault, they should pay to fix your vehicle. If the repairs cost more than the damage, they should pay the difference. If your vehicle was completely totaled, they should pay you what the vehicle was valued at.
- Pain and suffering: Pain and suffering is a separate, non-economic damage. There is no way to truly put a number on a life-changing accident. However, damages for pain and suffering can help ease the burden put upon you by these difficult circumstances.
- Loss of consortium: Loss of consortium means a person is no longer able to fulfill certain spousal duties as a result of the accident. This is a separate, non-economic but highly significant damage that often affects those who have been in an accident involving a truck.
Is the Trucking Company Liable for the Actions of their Drivers?
Yes. In fact, the trucking company can be held responsible for any kind of negligence their truck driver exhibits on the road. These companies can even be held responsible for negligent hiring practices if their driver was not properly vetted during the hiring process.
In order to file a claim against the trucking company, it must be shown that the truck driver was negligent while working for the trucking company or that the truck driver was unqualified to operate a commercial truck and was employed due to wrongful hiring practices.
For example, the company may have a history of hiring truck drivers who have previous DUIs or who speed frequently. This could be grounds to file a personal injury claim against the trucking company should an accident occur.
Someone will be available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: (888) 444-8508.
The Importance of Getting Experienced Representation
The FMCSA holds truck companies and their drivers to stringent regulations. However, it can be hard for you, as an injured party, to learn about these regulations and hold trucking companies responsible for their negligence. An attorney with truck accident experience is familiar with these regulations and can help you in ways you may not have been able to imagine. At Burnetti, P.A., we have access to violation records so we can expose trucking companies who have a history of negligence, which can help strengthen your case.
When to File a Claim After a Truck Accident
In the state of Florida, the victim of a car accident has four years from the date the accident occurred to file a personal injury claim. In the event of a wrongful death, that time line is only two years from the accident.
Though this may seem like a lot of time, when dealing with the legal process, these timetables can go by quickly. Rely on a seasoned Jacksonville truck accident lawyer to help you keep these deadlines and take the pressure off of you.
Contact Burnetti, P.A. Today
If you or a loved one have been injured by a truck accident in Jacksonville, trust our skilled and experienced lawyers to help you with your case. We understand how devastating an accident can be—physically, emotionally, and financially. We are prepared to fight for the maximum compensation you are owed, whether through negotiations with the insurance company or at trial. We can help you with every aspect of your case, so you can worry about healing and getting better.
Do not wait— Call Burnetti, P.A. at (888) 444-8508 to schedule a free consultation.
What Sets Us Apart?
Reasons to Trust Burnetti, P.A. with Your Case-
A Proven Record of Results
We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, including many multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements.
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A Culture of Customer Service
We treat all of our clients like family, requiring regular calls to clients in an effort to promote the best possible client experience.
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Decades of Unwavering Service
Our firm has proudly served injured people throughout the state of Florida for 30 years, and we're just getting started.
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A Network of Support
We help clients find doctors, deal with insurance companies and recover compensation for medical bills and lost wages.
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