After you’re involved in an accident, it’s common to be confused or worried about the next steps. If a truck accident has caused your injuries and other damages, you may have concerns about pursuing legal action.
A Coral Springs fuel truck accident lawyer with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine could help protect your rights and file a claim against the other party. As an accident victim, you may have the right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and car repair costs under Florida personal injury law.
The Role of a Coral Springs Fuel Truck Accident Lawyer at Our Firm
A fuel truck accident can be extremely dangerous, resulting in severe injury or death. Victims may have medical bills to cater for besides having other struggles.
You want to hire a lawyer who can fight for your rights and ensure you get justice while you heal. When you work the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, the role of a Coral Springs truck accident lawyer includes:
- Communicating with the other parties
- Meeting state-enforced deadlines, like Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a)
- Investigating and gathering evidence surrounding the case
- Determining all parties responsible for the crash
- Consulting other experts to build a strong case
- Negotiating with all insurance companies for a fair settlement
Leading Causes of Fuel Truck Accidents
Trucking accidents are serious because of the size and weight of the vehicles, and fuel truck accidents are all the more hazardous because of the explosive cargo involved.
While driver error is often responsible for auto accidents, sometimes they’re caused by other factors. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), some of the leading causes of fuel truck accidents include:
Speeding
When a fuel truck travels at high speeds, the driver has less control over the vehicle. The faster they travel, the more force and impact a collision will have on other vehicles on the roads. Even if you’re driving defensively and obeying all traffic laws, you can still be involved in an accident with a speeding fuel truck.
Overloaded Trucks
Fuel trucks have weight limits that the driver, cargo company, and trucking company must follow to operate safely. Overloading these vehicles can cause them to lose control on the road or make them unsafe to drive. Additionally, overloaded trucks may violate federal safety regulations.
Tire Blowouts
If a tire blowout occurs on a fuel truck, it can cause the vehicle to swerve out of control or even flip over into oncoming traffic lanes. Regular tire maintenance is critical for trucks to prevent this incident from happening.
Driver Fatigue
Drivers must adhere to strict hours-of-service rules that limit the hours they can drive consecutively. Unfortunately, some drivers and companies will ignore these rules or falsify their records to keep driving for more extended periods. This violates federal law and puts everyone on the road at risk.
Distracted Driving
Cell phones have become a significant distraction for motorists, including truck drivers. Texting, surfing the web, or making a phone call while behind the wheel can be dangerous. If a driver was distracted by their cell phone when they caused an accident, they may be considered negligent.
Liable Parties in Fuel Truck Wreck
Thousands of trucks deliver gasoline, diesel, and other types of fuel to gas stations throughout the U.S. each day. Fuel spills can cause severe accidents, injuries, and even deaths when these vehicles crash.
Because fuel truck companies must follow strict federal regulations and industry standards for safety, they may be found liable for accidents involving their delivery trucks.
Other liable parties may include:
- The driver
- The truck manufacturer
- Vehicle maintenance companies
- Negligent motorists, like drivers and passengers of small cars, motorcyclists, and cyclists
- Employers of negligent parties
- Government agencies when road defects contribute to a collision
Evidence to Use to Support Your Claim
When you’re involved in a truck accident and have been injured, the last thing you want to deal with is a legal battle to get compensation.
Having one of our lawyers by your side will help you know the kind of evidence that will benefit your claim. While there are dozens of different types of evidence that will support your case, here are some things that can be particularly helpful:
- The police report
- Photos of the accident scene
- Medical records
- Black box data
- Weigh station records
- Driver’s cell phone records
- Dashcam footage
- Truck driver logs and charts
- Surveillance footage
- Expert witness testimonies
Compensation After a Fuel Truck Accident in Coral Springs
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a fuel truck accident, you might be entitled to seek compensation from the liable party. Here are several types of damages that victims of fuel truck accidents in Coral Springs can claim:
Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to the monetary losses suffered by the victim, such as past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
Non-economic Damages
Non-economic damages refer to the intangible losses incurred by an injury victim, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and disfigurement.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not available in every lawsuit. For an accident victim to receive punitive damages in a case against another driver or trucking company, they must prove that the defendant’s actions were grossly negligent or malicious, resulting in the crash.
Contact Us Today for a Free Case Review
A Coral Springs fuel truck accident lawyer with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help ensure that the liable party is held accountable and protect your rights. In addition, we will provide you with responsive legal care, help you get your car fixed, and update you on your case frequently.
Contact us today to begin your free case review.
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