Semi-trucks are some of the most oversized vehicles on the road, measuring around 80-feet from hood to taillight and weighing up to 80,000 pounds. Driving close to these trucks can be nerve-wracking and dangerous. Each year in the U.S., thousands of people lose their lives to semi-truck accidents, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
If you or a loved one is a victim of an accident in Palm Bay, you can seek compensation. Our Palm Bay truck accident lawyer can fight for fair compensation.
Why Hire a Palm Bay Semi-truck Accident Lawyer?
If you’re in an accident involving a semi-truck, the chances are that you’re dealing with several severe injuries and damages, which can be pretty costly. You should file a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party to recover the expenses and damages. Semi-truck accidents can involve several parties, making claiming damages complicated.
You can work with our semi-truck accident lawyer so you can focus on your recovery. A lawyer from our firm can:
- Review your case to determine if you have a valid claim as per the state law and other regulations
- Advise you on what to do after the crash to protect your claim
- Investigate the accident to establish negligence
- Gather evidence like witness statements, police reports, data from the truck’s black box, and photos or videos to support the claim
- Identify the liable parties
- File a claim
- Compile documents like bills, insurance policy information, and medical records
- Value the claim and negotiate maximum compensation
- Take the case to court if necessary
Semi-truck accident lawyers understand such claims and how best to handle them. Since your lawyer’s primary goal is to help you recover compensation for your damages, they’ll work with experts, preserve evidence, and file your claim on time. Also, you don’t have to worry about out-of-pocket costs or upfront payment; we work on a contingency fee basis. You’ll only pay us from your potential compensation.
Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents in Palm Bay
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) notes that semi-truck accidents occur due to several different reasons, such as:
- Fatigued Driving: Semi-trucks travel over long distances, putting the driver at risk of fatigue. Some federal laws and regulations govern how long a driver should stay behind the wheel and how long the breaks should last, preventing driver fatigue. However, some trucking companies or drivers fail to adhere to this law and drive longer than permitted. This is one of the most common reasons for semi-truck crashes.
- Distracted Driving: Driving while distracted is a serious concern for all motorists on the road. All drivers, including semi-truck drivers, can get distracted while using a cell phone, fidgeting with the car stereo, using the GPS, or eating while they drive. When a driver takes their eyes off the road for even a few seconds, they can cause a catastrophic accident.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Driving while intoxicated impairs a driver’s ability to react in case of an emergency or drive with reasonable care. DUI is a crime in the U.S., and drivers found guilty of this crime are liable for damages, can face hefty fines, and risk losing their licenses and jobs.
- Lack of Experience: Semi-trucks are enormous and heavy, making them challenging to handle. Trained and experienced drivers must only operate these trucks to ensure safety on the road. However, in some cases, a trucking company can employ a driver with little or no experience handling the car, resulting in an accident.
- Inadequate Truck Maintenance: Federal regulations require all trucks to be well-maintained to ensure safety. Improper or insufficient maintenance and faulty components or parts can result in a crash. All trucking companies must adhere to the periodic maintenance regulations and brake checks before each trip.
- Improperly Loaded Cargo: Some accidents occur due to improper loading or securing cargo in the semi-truck. This can result from packers not distributing the weight of the cargo properly or insecurely fastening the cargo.
Other causes of semi-truck accidents include speeding, vehicle defects, bad weather, poorly designed or unmarked roads, reckless driving, and failing to yield. Your lawyer will work with experts, such as accident reconstruction specialists, to determine the exact cause of the accident and file a claim with the at-fault party.
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Possible Liable Parties in Semi-Truck Accidents
The cause of the accident will determine the liable party. In some cases, two or more parties may be responsible for the damages. Your semi-truck accident lawyer will gather evidence to support your claim against the responsible party or parties, which may include:
- The semi-truck driver
- Trucking company
- Truck or parts manufacturer
- Government entity
- Truck owner
- The party leasing the truck
Note that semi-truck accidents can cause severe injuries, such as spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other catastrophic injuries, leaving victims permanently disabled. Treating and managing these injuries is pretty expensive and includes life care costs that can bankrupt a family. This is why it’s only fair to hold the negligent party liable for your injuries and damages so that you can get enough financial support.
Your lawyer would file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party if the accident caused the death of a loved one. Semi-truck accident lawyers know how to value these claims and will help you get the justice you deserve after the accident.
Contact The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for a Free Case Review
If you or a loved one was recently in a semi-truck accident in Palm Bay, contact a lawyer immediately and protect your legal rights. You have a right to hire a lawyer after a semi-truck accident to get legal help when pursuing your claim.
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we’re ready to review your case and strive to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
