Truck drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles in the safest possible manner. Not only are they carrying important, and sometimes dangerous, cargo that needs protection, but they also have a duty to avoid accidents with other drivers and protect them from the possibility of serious injuries.
An Orlando truck accident lawyer from Bogin, Munns & Munns can help you seek compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering after an accident in Orlando. Our Orlando personal injury lawyers work on a contingency-fee-basis, so you will not pay any fees upfront. Call today to discuss your case during a free initial consultation.
How Much Your Orlando Accident Case Is Worth
When calculating your damages, we will make sure to include both economic and non-economic losses. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be able to recover an award for:
- Emergency room visits
- Surgery
- Medication
- Doctor’s appointments
- Rehabilitative therapy, which can include physical therapy, speech therapy, cognitive therapy, psychological therapy, and more
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages if you had to take time off to heal
- Reduced earning capacity if you suffered an injury that prevents you from returning to work or performing the same duties at work
Wrongful Death Damages You Could Recover in a Commercial Truck Accident
If you lost a loved one in a truck accident in Orlando, our lawyers can help you seek recovery for:
- Burial and funeral costs
- Cremation
- Loss of inheritance, which accounts for the income your loved one would have continued to contribute to the household
- Loss of consortium, which accounts for the services your loved one performed around the house
- Your loved one’s medical expenses related to their injuries
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering before they passed away
No amount of compensation can replace your family member, but a fair settlement can ease the burdens your family faces in their absence. Our lawyers can help you calculate what fair compensation would look like in your case and fight for it.
To consult with an experienced truck accident lawyer serving Orlando
855-780-9986
Negligent Driving Behavior Can Lead to Truck Accidents
The most common cause of truck crashes involves driver error. If a truck driver makes a mistake while driving, they could be found negligent, and you may receive a settlement.
The truck driver does not have to purposefully cause the crash to be found negligent. If the driver should have taken a different action to avoid the crash, they may bear the liability for your losses.
Driving Under the Influence
According to Florida Statutes § 316.193, any driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher may receive a ticket for driving under the influence (DUI). The use of both alcohol and drugs applies in this law.
Any sort of impaired driving can be dangerous. They may struggle to control the truck safely in a few different ways that could lead to an accident, including:
- Reduced reaction times to avoid hazards
- Decreased hand-eye coordination to make adjustments to the truck’s direction
- Failure to see and avoid a hazard on the roadway
- Limited ability to perceive time and distance, which can result in following other vehicles too closely
Distracted Driving
According to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), when a device or task takes the driver’s focus away from the road, distracted driving is occurring. Without paying proper attention to the road, the driver may not see an upcoming hazard, leading to a devastating crash.
The use of some items that can lead to distracted driving include:
- Smartphones
- Printed materials
- Food
- Radios
- Climate controls
- Video screens
- Pets
- Other people in the cab
If you suspect the truck driver engaged in any distraction while behind the wheel, we can work to prove their negligence caused your accident.
Driving While Fatigued or Sleepy
Some truck drivers spend a lot of time working consecutive days and long hours, which can lead to drowsy driving.
By law, truck drivers must adhere to the hours of service they are allowed to drive over a certain number of days. Should the driver violate these laws, they could be found negligent in an injury crash.
If you suspect the trucker who hit you engaged in distracted driving, driving under the influence, or another form of negligence, consider working with an Orlando lawyer. Our team at Bogin, Munns & Munns can build a case against the responsible party to help you receive compensation for your injuries.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving is a significant risk factor in commercial truck accidents. This behavior can include speeding, frequent or unsafe lane changes, tailgating, and disregarding traffic signals—actions that are particularly dangerous given the size and weight of commercial vehicles. Trucks require longer distances to stop, and aggressive maneuvers can easily lead to loss of control or inability to react adequately to road conditions.
Additionally, aggressive driving by other motorists around commercial trucks can provoke accidents by cutting off trucks, leading to emergency braking or swerving, both of which significantly increase the risk of jackknifing or rollovers, endangering all nearby road users.
Poor Truck Maintenance
Poor truck maintenance is a common and preventable cause of commercial truck crashes. Key components like brakes, tires, lights, and engine parts require regular inspections and timely repairs to ensure safety.
Neglecting these can lead to catastrophic failures. For instance, worn-out brake pads can result in failed stops, while degraded tires increase the risk of blowouts, especially under heavy loads. Faulty lights and signals compromise communication with other drivers, leading to collisions.
Engine malfunctions can also cause unexpected breakdowns on busy roads. Regular and thorough maintenance is crucial to prevent these issues and ensure the safety of both the truck driver and other road users.
Lack of Training or Truck Driver Inexperience
Truck driver inexperience is a significant factor in many vehicular accidents. New drivers may not yet possess the skills required for handling large commercial vehicles in varied road conditions and traffic scenarios. Inexperience can lead to poor decision-making, such as misjudging the space needed for maneuvers like merging and turning, or failing to anticipate the actions of other drivers.
Inexperienced drivers might not effectively manage the unique challenges of operating a heavy truck, such as maintaining control during adverse weather conditions or managing long braking distances.
Proper training and gradual exposure to different driving situations are essential to reducing risks associated with inexperienced truck drivers.
Injuries in Truck Accidents that Could Entitle You to a Fair Settlement
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), weight enforcement rules allow certain semi-trucks to weigh as much as 40 tons, which significantly outweighs the typical passenger car or SUV. Should these two vehicles collide, the truck’s size and weight may cause severe injuries to those riding in the passenger vehicle, leading to potentially life-changing disabilities.
Some of the injuries you may experience if you were involved in a truck accident include:
- Head injuries: Traumatic brain injuries, concussions, disfigurement, or loss of senses.
- Neck injuries: Whiplash, which greatly affects your ability to move your head normally.
- Back injuries: Spinal cord injuries or a broken back, potentially leading to paralysis or a significant loss of freedom of movement.
- Broken bones: Fractured arms, legs, collarbones, and ribs.
Some of these injuries could result in paralysis and a significant reduction in your quality of life. We can ensure that the damages you seek include the future losses associated with your injuries. We do not want you to suffer any further harm down the line due to a truck driver’s negligence.
Orlando Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me
855-780-9986
Working With an Orlando Truck Accident Lawyer from Our Firm
Our truck accident attorneys can help with your personal injury lawsuit against the truck driver or their company. Some of the services we offer include:
Identify the Negligent Parties
We can investigate your case, determining whether the truck driver, the hiring company, or the company that maintained the truck proves liable for your injuries and losses. If multiple parties are involved in your accident, we can go after each of them for fair compensation.
We may use the expertise of an accident reconstructionist or other expert witnesses to help establish the liability of the truck driver or other party. Our car accident lawyers can obtain evidence from the truck’s black box, the driver’s record, and the police report.
Negotiate with the Insurer
At Bogin, Munns & Munns we are not afraid to take on the tough cases. Sometimes, the insurance company does not want to give you a fair settlement that truly compensates you for your injuries. In situations like this, we know how to present your side of the case, working toward the fairest result for you.
We can deal with the insurance company on your behalf, freeing you up to spend your time healing and taking care of your family.
Determine the Extent of Your Injuries
We can work with your medical providers to figure out exactly how this accident caused a change in the way you can enjoy your life. We can use this information to determine the fairest settlement amount.
Represent You in Court
When negotiations with insurers do not yield a fair settlement, we can stand by your side during a court case. We can argue your case before a judge or jury to seek a court-awarded offer in lieu of a settlement from an insurer.
Gather Evidence
Our Orlando truck accident lawyer meticulously gathers evidence to build a robust case for your claim. This evidence includes:
- Accident scene photos: Images capturing the scene, vehicle positions, and road conditions.
- Surveillance footage: Video from nearby cameras that may have recorded the accident.
- Witness statements: Accounts from people who saw the accident, providing crucial perspectives on the event.
- Police reports: Official documents that detail the accident’s circumstances and any citations issued.
- Truck logs and black box data: Information on the truck’s movements and the driver’s hours, crucial for proving liability.
- Medical records: Documentation of injuries sustained, necessary for correlating the accident to the injuries claimed.
This comprehensive collection of evidence is pivotal in establishing fault and securing appropriate compensation.
Act Quickly, as Time Is of the Essence in Your Truck Injury Lawsuit
If you do have to file a lawsuit, it’s important to be aware of the state statute of limitations. According to Florida law, you only have two years from the date of the accident to file.
Under Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(d), you have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit if the Orlando truck accident resulted in the death of a loved one. We can help you abide by these deadlines as long as you call us as soon as possible.
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Affording an Orlando Truck Accident Lawyer
Some victims fear going up against a big trucking company when seeking damages. They may also worry that they cannot afford a lawyer. We advocate for victims of negligence and do everything we can to help them.
This is why we take our cases on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning we do not charge any out-of-pocket fees for our services. If we cannot secure a settlement or court-awarded offer, you owe us nothing. This allows us to make the most of your time and start working on your case immediately.
Let Us Go to Work on Your Behalf
When a negligent truck driver causes injuries, pain, and suffering, you should not have to bear the burden of the consequences of this accident on your own. Our Orlando truck accident lawyer can gather evidence and hold the responsible party liable.
Call Bogin, Munns & Munns as soon as you are able after your accident. We are ready to begin working on your case as soon as you hire us. The initial consultation is free, and there are no upfront costs. We do not receive payment unless we settle your claim or win in court.
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