Orlando Truck Accident Lawyer | Know Your Rights
Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, truck accidents can have devastating consequences. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Orlando, an Orlando truck accident lawyer is essential to help you navigate the complexities of your case and secure the compensation you deserve.
The attorneys at Paul | Knopf | Bigger are here to guide you through the importance of understanding truck drivers’ duties, the critical role of an Orlando truck accident lawyer, and the various factors that influence the value of your claim. From common causes of truck accidents to the severe injuries they can inflict and the steps involved in working with a skilled attorney, we cover all you need to know to protect your rights and achieve a fair settlement. If you still have questions, call us at (800) 434-4327.
Understanding the Duty of Truck Drivers
Truck drivers carry essential and sometimes dangerous cargo that needs protection. More importantly, they must avoid accidents with other drivers to prevent serious injuries. Their duty extends to ensuring the safety of everyone on the road, making their role crucial in preventing traffic mishaps.
Why You Need an Orlando Truck Accident Lawyer
An Orlando truck accident lawyer from Paul | Knopf | Bigger can help you seek the compensation you deserve. Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t pay any fees upfront. Call today for a free initial consultation at (800) 434-4327. Legal representation can significantly improve your chances of receiving a fair settlement for your damages.
Determining the Value of Your Accident Case
Depending on your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages:
- Emergency Room Visits: Immediate medical attention to stabilize your condition and prevent further harm.
- Surgery: Essential procedures to repair injuries and restore functionality.
- Medication: Prescriptions to manage pain and promote healing.
- Doctor’s Appointments: Ongoing medical evaluations to monitor recovery progress.
- Rehabilitative Therapy: Physical, speech, cognitive, and psychological therapies to aid your rehabilitation and improve your quality of life.
- Disfigurement and Scarring: Compensation for permanent changes to your appearance and the emotional impact it entails.
- Loss of Quality of Life: Adjustments needed to cope with new limitations and changes in daily activities.
- Pain and Suffering: The emotional and physical distress caused by the accident and subsequent injuries.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to time off work for recovery.
- Reduced Earning Capacity: Financial impact if you can’t return to work or perform the same duties.
Wrongful Death Damages
The attorneys at Paul | Knopf | Bigger have assisted families and loved ones in recovering damages for wrongful death claims. These damages include:
- Burial and Funeral Costs: Expenses related to laying your loved one to rest.
- Cremation: Costs associated with the cremation process.
- Loss of Inheritance: Financial contribution your loved one would have continued to provide.
- Loss of Consortium: The absence of companionship and support your loved one offered.
- Medical Expenses: Costs incurred for your loved one’s treatment before passing.
- Pain and Suffering: Emotional distress and physical pain endured by your loved one before their death.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Negligent Driving Behavior
The most common cause of truck crashes is driver error. If a truck driver makes a mistake, they could be found negligent. Common negligent behaviors include:
- Driving Under the Influence / Intoxicated: Impaired driving can reduce reaction times, decrease hand-eye coordination, and impair judgment. This dangerous behavior puts all road users at risk.
- Distracted Driving: Distracted driving occurs when a device or task takes the driver’s focus from the road. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) identifies distractions such as:
- Smartphones: Texting, calling, or browsing while driving.
- Printed Materials: Reading maps or documents.
- Food: Eating or drinking while driving.
- Radios: Adjusting music or radio stations.
- Climate Controls: Changing temperature settings.
- Video Screens: Watching videos or using in-cab entertainment.
- Pets: Managing animals in the vehicle.
- Other People in the Cab: Conversations or interactions with passengers.
- Driving While Fatigued: Truck drivers often work long hours, leading to drowsy driving. By law, truck drivers must adhere to hours-of-service regulations. Violating these laws can result in negligence in an injury crash. Fatigue impairs reaction times and decision-making abilities, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
- Aggressive Driving: Aggressive driving, such as speeding, unsafe lane changes, tailgating, and disregarding traffic signals, is dangerous for commercial trucks. This behavior significantly heightens the risk of severe accidents.
- Poor Truck Maintenance: Poor truck maintenance can lead to catastrophic failures. Critical components like brakes, tires, lights, and engine parts need regular inspections and timely repairs. Neglecting these can result in:
- Failed Stops: Due to worn-out brake pads.
- Blowouts: From degraded tires.
- Compromised Communication: From faulty lights and signals.
- Unexpected Breakdowns: From engine malfunctions. Proper maintenance is crucial to ensure vehicle safety and functionality.
- Lack of Training or Experience: Inexperienced truck drivers may not have the skills to handle large commercial vehicles. This inexperience can lead to poor decision-making, such as misjudging space for maneuvers or failing to anticipate other drivers’ actions. Adequate training and experience are essential for safe driving.
Injuries in Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can cause severe injuries due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. Some common injuries in truck accidents:
- Head Injuries: Head injuries, such as injuries to the brain, can impact your cognitive and physical abilities.
- Neck Injuries: Whiplash, affecting your ability to move your head normally, can cause chronic pain and mobility issues.
- Back Injuries: Spinal cord injuries or broken back, potentially leading to paralysis, can result in significant loss of freedom of movement and independence.
- Broken Bones: Broken bones include arms, legs, collarbones, and ribs can impair your ability to perform daily tasks and work responsibilities.
Working with an Orlando Truck Accident Lawyer
The attorneys at Paul | Knopf | Bigger have decades of combined experience and have not only settled but also won multi-million dollar verdicts at trial. Services we offer include:
- Identifying Negligent Parties: We can investigate your case to determine which party is liable for your injuries. We may use expert witnesses to establish liability and gather evidence such as:
- Accident Scene Photos: Take photographs of everything from every angle possible.
- Surveillance Footage: Take note of local buildings and any cameras in the area that may have captured footage of the accident.
- Witness Statements: Anyone who witnesses the accident or even part of the accident is essential when gathering evidence.
- Police Reports: The police report is viewed as the first source of information as to how an accident may have occurred.
- Truck Logs and Black Box Data: The truck driver’s log will show if the driver was following regulations regarding rest and sleep. The black box data will provide information on the truck, including its speed, just seconds before the accident.
- Medical Records: Documentation of injuries sustained is necessary to correlate the accident to the injuries claimed.
- Negotiating with Insurers: Paul | Knopf | Bigger has experience in dealing with some of the largest insurance companies in the world. If negotiations don’t yield a fair result, we can represent you in court to seek a court-awarded offer. Our expertise in dealing with insurers ensures that your rights are protected.
- Determining the Extent of Your Injuries: We work with your medical providers to determine how the accident has affected your life. This information helps us calculate a fair settlement amount. Understanding the full impact of your injuries allows us to advocate effectively on your behalf.
Act Quickly: Time Is of the Essence
According to Florida law, you have two (2) years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Under Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(d), you also have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. It’s crucial to act quickly to abide by these deadlines. You should speak with a lawyer to learn more.
Affording an Orlando Truck Accident Lawyer
At Paul | Knopf | Bigger, we work on a contingency-fee basis. This means we do not charge any out-of-pocket fees for our services. You owe us nothing if we cannot secure a settlement or verdict for you in court.
Paul | Knopf | Bigger – Let Us Help You
An Orlando truck accident lawyer at Paul | Knopf | Bigger can gather evidence and hold the responsible party liable in a commercial truck accident. Call Paul | Knopf | Bigger immediately after your accident for a free initial consultation.
Call or text (800) 434-4327 or submit our Consultation Request Form today.
Sources:
- https://www.fdot.gov/agencyresources/mapsanddata.shtm
- https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/CrashStatistics?tab=Summary&type=&report_id=1&crash_type_id=4&datasource_id=1&time_period_id=2&report_date=0&vehicle_type=1&state=NAT&domicile=ALL&measure_id=1&operation_id=null
- https://www.flhealthcharts.gov/ChartsDashboards/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=NonVitalIndNoGrp.Dataviewer
- https://m.flsenate.gov/statutes/95.11