Orlando Truck Accident Lawyer

Fighting For Truck Accident Victims in Florida

The commercial trucks that share the Florida roadways with passenger vehicles and motorcycles may weigh up to 88,000 pounds on designated routes, and up to 80,000 pounds on interstate highways; the average weight of a passenger car is 4,000 pounds. Due to the size of these vehicles, trucking accidents often result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities.

If you were injured in an Orlando accident, a truck accident lawyer at Burnetti, P.A. may be able to help you; if the accident was caused by a negligent driver or trucking company or a defective truck part, a truck accident lawyer may be able to recover damages for your medical bills and losses.

When you need a truck accident lawyer, Burnetti, P.A. has the experience to help. Call (888) 444-8508 today for a FREE consultation with our truck accident attorney in Orlando!

Common Types of Truck Accidents

A truck accident refers to a collision or incident involving a large commercial truck or tractor-trailer and other vehicles, pedestrians, or stationary objects. These accidents can result in various degrees of damage, injuries, and fatalities due to the size and weight of the trucks involved.

Common types of truck accidents include:

• Rear-End Collisions: These occur when a truck collides with the vehicle in front of it. Due to the truck's size and weight, rear-end collisions can result in severe damage and injuries, especially if the smaller vehicle is pushed forward into other traffic.
• Jackknife Accidents: A jackknife accident happens when a truck's trailer swings out to the side, forming an angle with the truck's cab, resembling the shape of a folding knife. This can occur when the truck loses control, often during abrupt braking or on slippery roads.
• Rollover Accidents: Rollovers happen when a truck tips over onto its side or roof. This can result from various factors, such as high speeds, sharp turns, uneven road surfaces, or improper loading of cargo.
• Underride Accidents: These accidents occur when a smaller vehicle becomes trapped underneath the rear or side of a truck's trailer. Underride accidents can be extremely dangerous, often leading to catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
• Blind Spot Accidents: Large trucks have significant blind spots where other vehicles are not visible to the truck driver. When a truck changes lanes or turns without properly checking these blind spots, it can lead to collisions with vehicles in those areas.
• Tire Blowouts: Tire blowouts on a truck can result in the driver losing control, leading to accidents. The debris from a blowout can also pose risks to other vehicles on the road.
• Brake Failure: Malfunctioning or failed brakes on a truck can lead to accidents, especially on downhill slopes or in heavy traffic.
• Wide Turns: Trucks require more space to make turns than smaller vehicles. Accidents can occur when trucks make wide turns and collide with vehicles, pedestrians, or structures in their path.
• Cargo Spills: Improperly secured or overloaded cargo can shift during transport, causing the truck to become unbalanced and potentially leading to accidents or cargo spills on the road.
• T-bone Accidents: Also known as side-impact collisions, T-bone accidents occur when a truck collides with the side of another vehicle, often at intersections. These accidents can result in significant damage and injuries, especially to the occupants of the vehicle struck from the side.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Injuries resulting from a tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler, or other large commercial vehicle accidents can be devastating and may include:

• Whiplash: Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the sudden jerking motion of the head and neck during a collision. It is common in rear-end collisions and can result in neck pain, stiffness, and headaches.
• Fractures: The impact of a truck accident can lead to broken bones, such as fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis.
• Head Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can occur when the head strikes a hard surface or experiences a sudden acceleration-deceleration movement. TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe, life-altering brain injuries.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Severe accidents can damage the spinal cord, leading to partial or complete paralysis. These injuries can have a profound impact on a person's mobility and quality of life.
• Back Injuries: The force of a truck collision can cause herniated discs, spinal fractures, or soft tissue injuries in the back, resulting in chronic pain and limited mobility.
• Internal Injuries: The impact of a truck accident can cause damage to internal organs, leading to internal bleeding, organ perforation, or other life-threatening conditions.
• Burns: Truck accidents involving fires or explosions can cause burns, which can range from first-degree (superficial) to third-degree (full-thickness) burns. Severe burns may require extensive medical treatment and can result in permanent scarring.
• Crush Injuries: When a smaller vehicle is trapped underneath a truck or its cargo, occupants may suffer crush injuries, which can lead to limb amputations or severe tissue damage.
• Lacerations and Contusions: Broken glass, flying debris, or sharp metal can cause cuts, lacerations, and bruises in a truck accident.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Survivors of truck accidents may experience psychological trauma, leading to symptoms of PTSD, such as flashbacks, anxiety, and depression.
• Fatal Injuries: Unfortunately, truck accidents can result in fatalities. The size and weight of trucks make them particularly dangerous in high-speed collisions.

These injuries may result in high medical bills and lost wages; obtaining legal counsel for financial recovery may help pay your expenses and recover your lost wages.

Who is Liable for Causing a Truck Accident?

Liability for a truck accident can involve multiple parties, depending on the specific circumstances of the accident. Determining liability can be complex, and it often requires a thorough investigation to establish fault.

The following parties may be held liable for a truck accident:

• Truck Driver: The truck driver can be held liable if their actions or negligence contributed to the accident. This may include behaviors such as speeding, driving while impaired, distracted driving, failing to obey traffic laws, or driving recklessly.
• Trucking Company: The trucking company that employs the driver can be held liable if their policies, practices, or actions contributed to the accident. This may include issues like negligent hiring (hiring drivers with a history of accidents or safety violations), inadequate training, unrealistic schedules that encourage speeding or fatigue, or failure to maintain and inspect the vehicle properly.
• Truck Manufacturer: If a mechanical failure or defect in the truck or its components (such as brakes, tires, or steering) contributed to the accident, the manufacturer or distributor of those parts may be held liable for producing or supplying a faulty product.
• Maintenance and Repair Companies: Companies responsible for maintaining and repairing the truck may be liable if inadequate maintenance or substandard repairs played a role in the accident.
• Cargo Loading Companies: Companies responsible for loading the truck's cargo can be held liable if improperly loaded or unsecured cargo contributed to the accident. Cargo shifts can affect the truck's balance and stability.
• Government Entities: If road conditions, signage, or traffic control devices were contributing factors in the accident, government entities responsible for maintaining and regulating the roadways may be held liable for their negligence.
• Other Drivers: In some cases, the negligence or actions of other drivers on the road can contribute to a truck accident. If another driver's actions led to a collision with the truck, they may be held liable.
• Third Parties: Other third parties, such as contractors or subcontractors involved in the transportation or logistics industry, could be held liable if their actions or negligence contributed to the accident.

Determining liability in a truck accident often involves a thorough investigation that may include accident reconstruction, witness statements, analysis of electronic logging devices (ELDs) or black box data, inspection of the truck's maintenance and service records, and more. Many trucking accidents result in multiple parties sharing liability to varying degrees.

What Damages Could Be Recovered in a Truck Accident?

Potential damages may include:

Economic Damages

Economic damages compensate for tangible financial losses resulting from the accident, such as:

• Medical expenses: Coverage for hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and future medical care.
• Lost wages: Compensation for income lost while recovering from the accident.
• Loss of earning capacity: If injuries stop the victim from returning to work or pursuing their career, they may be compensated for diminished earning potential.
• Property damage: Reimbursement for vehicle repair or replacement and other damaged property.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages address the intangible effects of an accident, including:

• Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress.
• Loss of consortium: Damages awarded to a spouse or family members for the loss of companionship or support.
• Reduced quality of life: Compensation for disabilities or injuries that diminish the victim’s ability to enjoy life.
• Punitive Damages: In instances of egregious negligence or willful misconduct, punitive damages could be granted to punish the wrongdoer and prevent similar behavior in the future. These damages are less common but can be significant in severe truck accident cases.

Helpful Tips For Trucking Accidents

After a trucking accident, it is necessary to take the proper steps after the accident to help with lost wages, medical expenses, and extensive property damage:

• Seek medical attention if necessary
• Write down insurance and license information for all drivers involved
• Obtain contact information for everyone at the scene, including drivers and witnesses
• Gather information about the trucking company, including its name and phone number
• Take photos of all damaged vehicles, the accident, and any injuries suffered

If you have been injured in an accident involving an 18-wheeler, an Orlando personal injury attorney may be able to help you pursue a claim against the negligent party for compensation.

What Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Do for You

Any truck accident lawyer at Burnetti, P.A. is knowledgeable about the extensive and complex web of federal and state trucking regulations and is also experienced in the common causes of trucking accidents. To determine liability, attorneys may investigate potential contributing factors, including:

• Where federal and state regulations violated
• Was the driver qualified to drive the semi-truck
• Did the driver have the correct commercial driver’s license
• Did the big rig driver exceed the number of hours they were permitted to drive
• Was the driver talking on a cell phone, texting, or engaged in other distracting behavior
• Did poor road conditions contribute to the accident
• Were the truck parts, equipment, and accessories working and safe for operation
• Did the motor carrier perform regular inspections, repair, and maintenance, plus maintain and keep repair and inspection records?
• Was the driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Did the weight of the 18-wheelers exceed regulations
• Was the driver speeding or failing to allow for an adequate distance to stop

Contact Our Truck Accident Attorney in Orlando Today

Trucking accident injuries can cause pain, financial hardship, and uncertainty. If someone’s negligence caused you harm in an Orlando truck accident, truck accident lawyers at Burnetti, P.A. may be able to help. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills and lost wages.

Contact Burnetti, P.A. today to get started with our Orlando truck accident lawyer.