Fort Lauderdale Truck Liability Lawyer
Truck accidents are common throughout the Sunshine State, especially along the Interstate 95 corridor, Florida Turnpike, and other highways around Fort Lauderdale. Data gathered by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles demonstrates the frightening frequency of deadly truck crashes. In 2016, 25 victims lost their lives and more than 1,200 people suffered injuries ranging from incapacitating to minor.
Though you do have rights as a truck accident victim, complicated liability issues make the claims process more challenging as compared to other motor vehicle accidents. Our attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez have considerable knowledge and experience overcoming the legal hurdles, so you can recover the compensation you deserve. Please contact our office to set up a free appointment with a Fort Lauderdale truck liability lawyer, and read on for some important information on relevant topics.
Negligence in Truck Liability Claims
Negligent acts of drivers are behind truck liability claims, which means you must prove that the operator breached the duty to exercise reasonable care and you were injured as a result. Some examples of negligence in a truck accident include:
- Speeding;
- Violations of Florida’s rules of the road;
- Improper lane changes;
- Failure to yield;
- Drowsy or fatigued driving;
- Texting or using a cell phone, and other forms of distracted driving;
- Driver inexperience;
- Failure to allow proper stopping distance;
- Operator inattention; and,
- Many other types of conduct.
The presence of any of these factors can lead to:
- Jackknife accidents, where the truck’s trailer skids forward of the cab;
- Underrides crashes, when a smaller vehicle rear-ends the trailer and is forced underneath;
- Rollover accidents;
- Crashes caused by improperly loaded or insufficiently secured cargo;
- Tire blowouts, brake failure, or other dangerous conditions that result from a lack of proper maintenance or inspections; and,
- Many other truck liability situations.
Complex Truck Liability Issues
Liability in a truck accident presents challenges due to many different factors. The first is obvious: Victims are more likely to sustain catastrophic injuries due to the size disparity between a semi and a passenger car. Depending on the cargo they carry, trucks may outweigh other vehicles on the road by up to 20 times. The resulting injuries will mean higher medical bills, and long-term or permanent disability is common.
Truck liability is also complicated because of the multiple parties that may be involved. You may have a claim against:
- The truck operator;
- The driver’s employer;
- Any legal entity in an agency or employment relationship with the truck operator;
- Educational or licensing facilities that failed to properly train the driver; and,
- Many others, depending on the circumstances.
In addition, each of these entities will likely be protected by insurance coverage, which means you will be dealing with an insurance company. Insurers have large legal departments and sizeable budgets, all of which are dedicated to protecting their own interests. They will fight your claim at every turn to ensure you get as little compensation as possible.
Consult with a Fort Lauderdale Truck Liability Lawyer for Free
If you were injured in a truck accident and want to hear more about your legal options, please contact Leifer & Ramirez to speak with one of our Fort Lauderdale truck liability attorneys. You can call our office at 561-660-9421 or go online to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
