A Sarasota moving van accident lawyer can help you get to the bottom of your accident and pursue compensation from those liable for your injuries. For more information, call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine at 1-800-747-3733.
Moving Vans May Be Subject to Special Regulations
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), any moving van transporting goods from one state to another is subject to the administration’s rules and regulations. The FMCSA also regulates any vehicle weighing 10,001 pounds or more.
Vehicles that fall under the FMCSA’s regulations must comply with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s rules regarding:
- Driver qualifications
- Drug and alcohol testing for drivers
- Vehicle inspections, repairs, maintenance, and weight limits
- Vehicle safety-related parts and accessories
- Hours of Service (HOS) regulations
If the moving van driver who was involved in your accident was violating FMCSA rules or other traffic laws, they might be liable for your injuries and damages. Examples of reckless or dangerous driving behaviors include driving while drowsy or distracted, speeding, making an improper turn, failing to signal while turning or changing lanes, and running a stoplight or stop sign.
No-Fault Insurance and Liability
As with any vehicle accident, the place to begin seeking compensation is with an insurance claim. Florida is a no-fault insurance state, meaning that it requires drivers to carry a personal injury protection (PIP) insurance policy.
According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), the law mandates a PIP policy of at least $10,000, which pays for 80 percent of covered, necessary medical expenses up to that amount, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. However, you may sue the liable party for additional damages if your injuries are severe and the cost of your medical treatment exceeds your PIP. A Sarasota moving van accident lawyer can help you determine if you have the legal right to pursue additional compensation.
An attorney can also help you determine which party to seek compensation from. This can sometimes get complicated. The moving van driver’s actions may have caused your accident, but depending on the circumstances of their employment, you may need to seek compensation from their employer. The moving company that the driver works for should have some type of commercial vehicle or business vehicle insurance policy.
If shifting goods or exceeding weight limits caused your accident, liability could fall with the company responsible for loading the truck. This could be an entirely different entity than the company employing the driver. Further muddying the waters is the fact that yet another party may be held liable if a vehicle defect caused your crash. Finally, insurance laws and other regulations can change from one state to the next.
Do not let any of this deter you from seeking the financial awards you may be owed. The team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine is familiar with all types of motor vehicle accident claims. Give us a call at 1-800-747-3733 to learn more about how we can assist you.
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You Could Recover Your Medical Bills and Other Expenses
It is unfair for you and your family to foot the bill for injuries that are no fault of your own. If someone else caused your accident, you have the right to pursue compensation for:
- Medical expenses – You can seek the costs of your past and future medical treatment. This includes emergency department care, surgeries, and hospital stays. If necessary, you can seek a settlement that includes money for future physical therapy and rehabilitation needs, long-term nursing assistance, mobility aids, and medications.
- Loss of earnings – Serious injuries can take weeks or months to heal. If you are unable to work during your recovery, you can seek your lost wages and money to help with your household expenses. You can also seek compensation for your loss of future earning capacity if your injuries leave you unable to return to your previous employment.
- Pain and suffering – You can pursue compensation for the physical and mental toll your accident has created. This may include awards for depression, insomnia, anxiety, and other forms of mental anguish caused by your crash. If your injuries left you with chronic pain, permanent scarring or disfigurement, or mental and physical disabilities, you could seek awards for the impact this has on your current and future quality of life.
- Wrongful death – Sadly, severe car accidents can result in fatality. If you lost a family member because of a moving van accident, you could seek compensation for their crash-related damages and end-of-life expenses. You may also sue for your loss of support, services, companionship, and mental pain and suffering.
If you are ready to take action, consider reaching out to a Sarasota moving van accident lawyer today. Florida Statute § 95.11 allows four years from the time of your injuries to file a personal injury lawsuit, and two years from the time of death to pursue a wrongful death action.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Wants to Be Your Legal Advocate
We understand that you need legal help, and you do not have time to waste as bills pile up. We vow to provide our clients with responsive legal care. We are here to fight for you, and we will never leave you questioning the status of your case. If you would like to take advantage of our no-cost, no-obligation consultations, call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine at 1-800-747-3733.
