Truck Accident Law Firm in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Truck accidents in America are prevalent and cause some of the worst damages or injuries on the road. There were over 45,000 commercial vehicle accidents on Florida’s roads in 2018. Trucking accidents are different than passenger vehicle crashes in a few different ways. First, the aftermath of a truck accident is usually more devastating than with passenger cars. Second, the legal process is more complicated than passenger car claims and often require a Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer to help you.

In this article, we will take a more in-depth look at the most significant factors you want to know about truck accidents and what filing a claim after one looks like.

After A Truck Accident

Since truck accidents are typically more severe than other types of crashes, the healing and recovery period tends to be more lengthy. As you work on your recovery, you may find “filing a lawsuit” lower on the totem pole of priorities. While we certainly can’t argue this important step in your recovery, time passing can hurt you if you later decide to go forward with a claim.

All trucking companies are required to retain accident documents for a particular time frame. However, if you don’t file a claim within that time, they can “legally” destroy the materials. This is important in cases where the truck driver was negligent and could be held liable. The day that time limit is up, those documents will likely disappear. If you hire a truck accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, they can investigate your claim and prevent this from happening.

Hiring a Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Law Firm

After an accident, even if you have limited time and resources, hire an attorney to start investigating your case. This move can help preserve crucial evidence that can be used in your accident claim. An experienced attorney will know that waiting to see how your injuries manifest or your job is impacted, isn’t an option. A trucking company will eliminate documents once the deadline arrives, even if there were severe injuries or a fatality.

What should be telling, and is somewhat alarming, is that trucking companies will even “train” drivers about these kinds of accidents and how to handle them. This is to minimize liability and losses.

Hire a Truck Accident Attorney in Fort Lauderdale with Experience 

Any legal professional won’t do when it comes to trucking accidents. There are specific laws and legal processes that have to take place that many “jack of all traded” lawyers don’t understand or know about. This can do more damage to your accident case than trying to file a claim on your own.

Truck Drivers and Their Insurance Coverage

Truck drivers are required by law to carry a certain amount of coverage depending on the weight and material they are carrying. For example, a driver who has a truck that weighs less than 10,000 pounds has to hold at least $300,000 in insurance coverage. If that truck weight goes over just one pound (10,001) that insurance has to cover $750,000 in coverage.

The amount of coverage is significant because studies show how devastating accidents are with these types of vehicles and lawmakers have required this kind of coverage to compensate victims adequately.

Truck Accident Lawyers

As we mentioned earlier, trucking companies will train drivers on how to avoid massive liability with diversion tactics. The same sentiment occurs with lawyers who work for drivers and trucking companies. Their Lawyers will work overtime trying to prove you are not as injured as you claim and look for any way possible to discredit your case. In fact, trucking company lawyers will hire private investigators to follow victims to make sure they go to medical appointments and aren’t lying about that. For example, lawyers may raise questions about you attending a softball game, even if it was just to watch it.

How a Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Case

Now that you have some insight about how the trucking companies are working against you, let’s dive into how a lawyer with “your interests” can totally change the outcome of your claim.

• Resources and Strategy – An experienced law firm will have resources to help position your case for success. This can include their own private investigators, crash recreating specialists, chemical experts and plenty of other legal professionals. Since your lawyer will know how these companies do business, they can play just as aggressively to prevent them from taking advantage of you. Working with a truck accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale will ensure that your rights are protected.

• Communication and Evidence Collection – Truck accident lawyers will be able to do the majority of communication on your behalf, so you’re not having to worry about what you say in front of the insurance company. Also, getting evidence can be tricky at times if you’re trying to navigate a legal claim like this. The insurers may avoid you or claim they can’t find what you need. They may also try to string you along to see if you fold under the weight of your bills, and take a smaller settlement.

• A Network of Professionals – A truck accident attorney who has a track record will have an extended network of resources to help you through this process. Since this kind of case can take months or even years, you will likely feel the financial pressure of work loss or medical bills. Your attorney will have ideas, strategies, and resources to help you through these hard moments. This can include medical specialists who can postpone payments potentially, or the attorney can call your bill collectors and get them to give you a grace period to pay your bills.

Can we help you with a truck accident case? Please call or connect with the Madalon law office to schedule an appointment and let’s get started on your case.