The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict regulations on large trucks, including tractor-trailers. Still, accidents involving these vehicles happen, leaving lasting effects on victims and their families. If you or your loved one had a Palatka tractor-trailer accident, chances are you’re paying substantial medical bills, have lost your earning capacity, and can’t provide quality love and companionship as you used to.
In the wake of these unfortunate events, hiring a Palatka tractor-trailer accident lawyer from our firm can help you pursue compensation while focusing on your health.
What Causes Tractor-Trailer Accidents?
Most tractor-trailer accidents involve other road users, including ones riding in smaller cars, cyclists, and pedestrians. In most cases, drivers driving these large trucks are distracted by their phones, eating their meals as they commute, and trying to keep up with their GPS readings.
Other causes of such accidents include:
- Speeding
- Poor hiring and training practices by the employer
- Mechanical failure
- Fatigued driving
- Unsafe passing
- Trucking company negligence
- Unwarranted lane changes
- Lack of adherence to the traffic laws
Potential Injuries After a Palatka Tractor-Trailer Accident
Accidents involving huge trucks can be catastrophic. Most victims of tractor-trailer accidents usually suffer from:
- Damages to the spinal cord
- Broken bones
- Back injuries
- Amputations
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputations
- Severe burns
- Organ damage
Who Is Liable for My Tractor-Trailer Accident?
The person or party responsible for your Palatka tractor-trailer accident claim depends on the facts of your case. This can be everyone from the company that employed or contracted the driver to the tractor-trailer’s manufacturing company or the person responsible for maintaining and repairing the vehicle in question. Determining liability is more complicated when multiple companies own the tractor-trailer.
Additionally, Florida has a “dangerous instrumentality doctrine” law, which dictates that the vehicle’s owner can be responsible for damages caused by another person driving their vehicle. They’re liable as long as the vehicle’s owner consented to it. In that case, if you’re involved in a tractor-trailer accident, the person or company owning it is the first suspect on the liability list.
Proving Negligence in a Tractor-Trailer Accident Claim
Proving negligence in a Palatka tractor-trailer accident claim is complex, given that a lot of parties can be liable—selecting one and putting the blame on them isn’t easy. However, for your case to move forward, determining who’s responsible for your miseries is crucial, and one of the best ways of doing so is proving that their carelessness, recklessness, or negligence caused your injuries.
You can find evidence that implicates the liable party by:
- Checking the toxicology reports of the tractor-trailer’s driver
- Looking for the black box recording device, which usually provides evidence about the conditions when the accident occurred
- Gathering reports from eyewitnesses
- Looking for past safety violations by the company or driver
- Looking at the driver’s log
Apart from negligence, you can also argue that the tractor-trailer’s driver owed you the duty of care. They breached the set regulations causing your injuries following the accident.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Palatka Tractor-Trailer Accident?
In any personal injury claim, including tractor-trailer accidents, you can recover two types of damages: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are ones that you can easily attach with monetary value—their worth is easily calculable. They include past and future medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs.
Non-Economic Damages
On the other hand, non-economic damages are hard to attach a monetary value to because they mainly involve emotions. They include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, emotional distress, and disfigurement.
Is There a Deadline for Filing My Palatka Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawsuit?
Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a) indicates that you’ve four years from the time of the accident to file your tractor-trailer accident lawsuit. While this might seem like a lot of time, it’s never too early to start building your case.
The sooner you contact an attorney, the more time they will have to investigate your case and create and file a solid case on your behalf. If the time to file your suit lapses, you may lose your chance of recovering what is rightfully yours.
Do I Need a Palatka Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawyer to Make My Claim?
There is no legal obligation for you to hire a personal injury attorney. However, we strongly advise you to do so because most of the victims who hired professional legal representation in the past recovered their rightful compensation in time.
A Palatka tractor trailer accident attorney can help you:
- Evaluate your case and provide the best legal advice
- Investigate, document, and preserve crucial evidence to your case
- Represent you in negotiations and court trial if need be
- Inform you of the progress of your case
- You recover peacefully, knowing someone else is fighting for your rights
What Is the Cost of Hiring a Palatka Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawyer?
Most lawyers and law firms in Florida operate on a contingency fee basis—you don’t have to pay anything before recovering your compensation. Once you do, the attorney will deduct a reasonable amount from your final settlement to cater for the expenses and time used in recovering your money.
Work With Our Palatka Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawyer
The Law Offices Of Anidjar & Levine is a law firm committed to helping our clients recover compensation for their personal injuries, including Palatka tractor-trailer accidents claims. When you contact us, you’ll receive a free case evaluation, get answers to your questions, and learn about your next steps with no obligations.
We value our clients, and for that, we go the extra mile by talking to the insurance company for you and providing you with frequent case updates. If you or your loved one suffered injuries in a Palatka tractor-trailer accident, contact us at 1-800-747-3733 to request a free consultation.
We Can Help.
