Truck accidents are among the most dangerous motor vehicle accidents on our roadways. Because of an 18-wheeler’s size and the hazardous cargo commercial trucks often carry, accidents involving one can be severe. For example, broken bones, paralysis, and even death are all possibilities when involved in a truck accident.
Were you injured in a truck accident in the Tampa area? If so, you might want to seek legal assistance to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Working with an experienced Tampa truck accident lawyer can make the difference between a substantial and a disappointing settlement.
What Are Your Legal Options Following a Truck Accident?
As with any motor vehicle accident, if you were not responsible for the accident, you should not have to pay for any of the losses you sustained. However, to recover maximum compensation, you must prove who was at fault for your accident. Then, once you have proven responsibility for your losses, you can work on recovering the compensation you deserve.
Recovering Damages
After an accident, recovering damages and healing from your injuries should be your priorities. Fortunately, with a lawyer on your side, you will have more time to recover from your injuries, knowing that someone with your best interests in mind will fight on your behalf.
You can recover economic damages, which have a fixed monetary value proven with receipts, bills, or paystubs. They could include:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Car repair bills
You could also recover noneconomic damages, which don’t have tangible proof of their value but could significantly increase your settlement if your truck accident lawyer values them accurately. This category includes:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
What Causes Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents happen for many reasons. However, human error is often a contributing factor. These human errors can include the following:
- Moving violations, such as speeding or tailgating
- Distracted driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Driving while drowsy
However, the truck driver sometimes doesn’t bear complete responsibility for the collision. Because of how many people are involved in the operation of large trucks, numerous parties could have responsibility for your crash.
Trucking Companies
If the trucking company does not allow time for its driver to take necessary breaks, you could hold it responsible for the accident. Fatigue is an issue for all motor vehicle operators, but truck drivers are especially prone to it. Therefore, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration mandates Hours of Service regulations to guard against this problem.
These regulations ensure drivers take necessary breaks. However, if the trucking company forces drivers to ignore these regulations, a tired driver could crash into your vehicle.
Cargo Loaders
Companies must load cargo in a specific manner to ensure trucks remain balanced on the road. Unfortunately, improperly loaded cargo can cause a truck to jackknife or tip over, which could lead to a significant wreck.
Maintenance Companies
A trucking company often contracts with an outside company to perform regular maintenance on its fleet. However, if the mechanics miss an issue or fail to repair it properly, that could cause an accident for which you could hold them responsible.
Poor maintenance can lead to improper function of:
- Brakes
- Steering wheels
- Tires
- Windshield wipers
To determine whether a maintenance company is responsible, your attorney will review log books and receipts for work that the mechanics performed.
What Are Common Truck Accident Injuries?
Truck accidents often result in devastating injuries. From broken bones to paralysis, personal injury from accidents like truck collisions can immediately change your life and the lives of your family members. However, if you were not at fault for the accident, you could recover your losses in an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are common truck accident injuries that you will almost always notice immediately following an accident. Unfortunately, these injuries can result in considerable time off work, making it difficult to pay your medical bills.
Lacerations
Cuts, scratches, and scrapes are widespread following truck accidents. They can occur because of broken glass or forceful contact with a steering wheel or dashboard. Left untreated for too long, they could lead to infections and other complications.
Neck Injuries
Whiplash is one of the most common accident injuries, occurring when your head jerks forward, then backward very quickly. Common whiplash symptoms include the following:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Dizziness
- Shoulder pain
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Issues with concentration or memory
You should immediately seek medical care if you suffer any of these symptoms following your crash.
Brain Injuries
Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries can occur in a truck accident. So, if you start to experience convulsions, severe headaches, loss of memory, or other head- or brain-related ailments, seek medical attention right away. If you wait to see a specialist, you could allow your condition to worsen—sometimes irreparably.
Paralysis
Paralysis is one of the most severe injuries you can suffer in a truck accident. If your collision results in paralysis, you may be entitled to significant compensation, including noneconomic damages for pain and suffering.
Who to Contact When You Are Ready for Legal Assistance
Are you ready to contact a lawyer about your truck accident injuries? Then, searching for the law firm that best fits your needs is critical. Many offer free consultations, allowing you to gather information before committing to a firm.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine is a responsive law firm that cares deeply about our clients. Our Tampa truck accident lawyers have helped thousands of victims get their lives back on track by securing the compensation they need. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
