An accident with a fuel truck could leave you facing serious injuries in Lakeland, Florida. Fortunately, you do not have to try to secure compensation for your losses on your own. Instead, you can work with legal professionals to handle all aspects of your claim after a collision.
A Lakeland truck accident lawyer can quickly assess your unique situation after a wreck. Learn more about your options by reaching out to the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today for assistance.
The Facts About Accidents in Lakeland
According to the Department of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were over 13,000 crashes in Polk County in 2021. These accidents led to over 9,000 injuries. Many of these accidents involved large trucks, including vehicles hauling fuel.
Fuel trucks represent only one kind of commercial vehicle seen on our roads. Incidents involving fuel trucks often come with extra hazards that make these collisions more dangerous for other drivers.
Fuel – including natural gas, liquified petroleum, diesel, and gasoline – can be flammable and explosive. In an accident, the fuel can spill onto the road or other vehicles. If exposed to a spark, it could either explode or catch on fire, increasing the dangers of these collisions.
Types of Fuel Truck Accidents We Handle
You can reach out to our fuel truck accident attorneys serving Lakeland to get professional support if you sustained injuries in a:
- Read-end accident
- Head-on accident
- Side-impact (or T-bone) accident
- Jackknife accident
- Rollover accident
We provide responsive legal care to all of our clients and offer you frequent updates about the state of your case while answering any questions you have. In addition, we respond promptly to both emails and calls while going the extra mile to schedule appointments and help you get your car fixed.
Reach out to us now and learn more about the personalized legal services we offer in Lakeland.
Proving Liability in Your Accident With a Fuel Truck
To receive compensation after an accident involving a fuel truck in Lakeland, your lawyer may need to show that someone else caused the accident. Our legal team focuses on establishing that:
- Someone had a duty of care to you
- The individual violated their duty
- The violation directly led to the accident
- The accident caused your losses
In many cases, we focus on the fuel truck driver. Truckers frequently end up causing accidents when they break the rules of the road or drive in unsafe ways. For example, you could end up in a fuel truck accident if a driver:
- Operates their vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Gets distracted by a mobile device, the radio, food, or drink
- Drives while fatigued
- Speeds or tailgates another vehicle
- Takes a turn too quickly
- Changes lanes without looking
We also understand that truck drivers do not always hold full responsibility for accidents in Lakeland. For example, the trucking company may hold part of the fault depending upon the causes of the accident.
Some trucking companies fail to train their drivers properly. They may also send a trucker out with a defective truck or without all appropriate safety features in place. These actions could lead to a major collision in the Lakeland area.
Injuries and Losses Caused By Fuel Truck Accidents
Truck accidents often result in significant damage to passenger vehicles and serious accidents. You may require immediate medical care if the accident causes:
- Head, neck, or back injuries
- Broken bones, strains, or sprains
- Damage to internal organs
- Cuts, burns, or soft tissue injuries
Our legal team will work tirelessly to bring you compensation to cover all of your losses. We often focus on medical expenses for our clients, which can include the costs for:
- Emergency medical care
- Time in a hospital
- Medical procedures and tests
- Physical therapy
- Medication
We can also address the costs of replacing or repairing any vehicle damaged in the truck accident. You could also receive compensation for your lost wages, diminished earning potential, pain, and suffering. Speak to a truck accident lawyer today to learn more about your specific options.
How Long do I Have to Contact a Lawyer After an Accident in Florida?
You have a limited amount of time to proceed with a legal claim after a fuel truck accident in Lakeland, Florida. Under Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a), the state usually gives you four years to file a personal injury claim.
However, the state sometimes varies the amount of time you have available to seek compensation. For example, if you lost a loved one in a fuel truck accident, you may only have two years to move forward under Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(d).
Our team can explain the time limits that apply to your specific claim when you reach out to us for help. Getting legal help quickly often comes with additional benefits for your claim and case. Our legal team steps in right away to:
- Speak to witnesses about what happened
- Go over your police report
- Visit the scene of the accident and observe additional evidence
- Work with accident reconstruction specialists
We believe in assisting you with every aspect of your case, reviewing your needs, and helping you move forward with your legal concerns. You can count on us to work to settle your claim and to support you in court when applicable.
Discuss Your Fuel Truck Accident Claim With Our Law Firm Today
You can get professional assistance after a collision involving a large commercial vehicle. A fuel truck accident lawyer serving Lakeland can step in to help you right away. We know how to stand up to insurance agents and powerful trucking companies.
Find out more by reaching out to the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today.
We Can Help.
