When it comes to damages with these big rigs, the outcomes are rarely minor.  As the years have passed and on-line product availability has enhanced, so too have the need for shipping.

Trucking organizations and drivers are as pressed as ever to meet deadlines and quotas. Ultimately, safe driving gives way to these demands  The result are hundreds of semi crashes in Florida every year.

Trucking Negligence

Anyone who travels on a routine basis knows how hazardous operating could be. They also know how driving near and around big rig trucks can make your car or SUV feel tiny.  If truck drivers are not on top of their game, then the results can be catastrophic for passenger vehicles nearby. Some examples of truck driver negligence:

• driver fatigue:  The pressures to deliver on time, or even early for a bonus, weigh heavily on truck drivers. Drivers often skip mandatory breaks (required by regulations).  Of course, fatigue can set in ahead of the driver realizes it.
• driver aggression:  Sometimes semi truck drivers are in a rush to complete a delivery.  This increases their anxiety, and that may cause aggressive actions.
• driver distraction: Like other motorists, truck drivers can fail to pay attention.  Because they are in a truck weighing 15 tons or more, the consequences can be extremely dangerous.

Florida trucking accident attorney and Injury Lawyer

If you have been seriously injured in a semi truck accident, then tractor trailer crash lawyer. The contact is confidential, our evaluation is honest, and you will now where you stand.  The earlier you make contact with a big rig accident lawyer, the faster we can gather fresh evidence in your case investigation.

Select a trucking accident attorney who is not only experienced, but an injury lawyer who has the drive and principles to pursue and protect your rights.  We proudly serve clients throughout Florida, but our focus is on those who, like us, live here in Southwest Florida, including

• Charlotte County:  Englewood, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda
• Collier County: Everglades City, Golden Gate, Immokalee, Marco Island, Naples, Ochopee
• DeSoto County: Arcadia
• Glades County: Moore Haven, Palmdale
• Hendry County: Clewiston, Labelle
• Highlands County: Avon Park, Lake Placid, Sebring
• Lee County: Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers
• Manatee County: Bradenton, Ellenton, Palmetto
• Sarasota County Florida: Nokomis, North Port, Osprey, Sarasota, Venice

You the consumer have choices when it comes to legal services.  When you and your family are facing a crisis, a serious personal injury or wrongful death caused by a tractor trailer crash, semi truck accident, 18 wheeler accident, or similar big rig accident, which has changed the course your lives, what kind of advocate will you look for?

At the Harris Law Firm, we don’t believe in business as usual. We only represent individuals and families who have been injured through the carelessness or wrongs of others. We take injury cases on contingency, which means you do not owe us a penny in fees if we don’t win your case. Simple, straightforward, and we share in the risk (which also provides financial incentive above and beyond the moral incentive) to move your case forward to secure prompt and fair justice.

Moving Accident Cases Forward, and Doing So Quickly

We also believe in moving serious accident cases forward, and doing so fast.  If a case won’t settle quickly or justly, or the insurance company delays or plays games, then with your permission we march ahead quickly to trial by jury. The fact is most cases do settle out of court, while others simply have to be tried and resolve by a jury.

We do not shy away from the courtroom. We have the experience, the skills, the drive, to win.

We Approach Injury Cases Differently

I founded the Harris Law Firm to do things differently. Not to take every case upon every perceived wrong, but to take on clients whom we believe in, move their case, their cause, as fast as possible, and fight to win through settlement or trial. We put the focus on the client, their needs, their values, and allow those qualities to help guide us through our shared quest for justice.

Of course, we don’t always win.  No one always wins in life or in the law.  Taking on compelling, yet challenging, cases means that some will be lost.  An old trial lawyer saying goes, “If you haven’t lost a trial, then you haven’t tried enough cases.” We can’t guarantee we’ll win your case. We can, however, promise personal attention, personal service, and the drive to win.

Contact Us Today to Discuss Your Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Claim

If you are seeking a Florida truck accident lawyer and personal injury attorney who puts your interests first in serious personal injury claims and wrongful death matters arising from semi accidents, trucking accidents, tractor trailer wrecks, and similar negligence claims, then contact a trial attorney and accident lawyer at the Harris Law Firm PA today for a free consultation.

We proudly serve Southwest Florida injury victims, whether you are from Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, LaBelle, Clewiston, Moore Haven, Palmdale, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Arcadia, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Venice, North Port, Sarasota, Manatee, Bradenton, or beyond.  Call us today for a free evaluation.

If you are injured in an accident involving a large truck, you may face serious injuries as a result. Contact a Florida trucking accident lawyer at the Harris Law Firm for legal help.

Car-Truck Accident Causes

Truck accidents often have similar causes to regular automotive incidents. They may be caused by bad weather, aggressive driving, drowsy driving, DUI, and other common factors that are often involved in regular accidents. Due to the special design and purpose of many trucks, however, there are often additional causes that are unique to large trucks.

Most of these characteristics are governed by regulations and rules established at the federal level by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and at the State level in Florida by the Department of Transportation, Office of Motor Carrier Compliance (OMCC).  Your lawyer needs to know what these are and how they may affect your Florida truck accident legal claim.

Operating a large semi truck often requires specialized training and driving skills that are not often taught at regular driving schools. Drivers must appreciate the wider turning radius of trucks, challenges of maneuvering a larger vehicle, and dealing with the need for increased braking distance between vehicles. If a driver does not have sufficient experience or was improperly trained, he or she may be a danger to others on the road.

Additionally, if the vehicle was improperly maintained or loaded incorrectly, the truck may put other drivers at serious risk. Since trucks often log many miles and travel distances much farther than most passenger vehicles, adequate maintenance must be a priority. Faulty or worn brake systems are a common cause of truck accidents, as well as tire failure and other serious hazards caused by poor maintenance. If the truck’s load was improperly loaded or incorrectly secured, then the truck may be at risk of tipping over or skidding out of control.

One of the most pressing dangers is truck driver fatigue.  Deadlines and time limits that are often placed on truck drivers may cause serious impairment to their ability to effectively operate the vehicle. Many truck drivers may spend long stretches of time behind the wheel with little time to rest in between journeys. If a person is forced to drive on insufficient rest, his or her reaction time may be seriously impaired, drowsiness may set in, and reckless behavior may be displayed.

Contact a Florida Accident Lawyer today

If you or a loved one have been truck-car accident, or semi truck crash, then contact an experienced Florida truck accident attorney at the Harris Law Firm today for legal help. From protecting your rights to investigating the claim, to preparing for and engaging in the legal fight which may lie ahead, your Florida trucking accident attorney at the Harris Law Firm may help guide you to justice.

We’re here for you. Call us today.

Trucking revenues are literally a trillion dollar business every year (some $900 billion last year). It is a necessary and key part of our commerce; however, the lives of innocent motorists and their families do not need to be sacrificed to sustain it.  Families are turned upside down when their loved one is killed in a truck accident. These voices of these families should be heard.

You do have choices.  You can try going it alone, or turn to a Florida truck accident lawyer who will fight to hold the trucking company accountable, and work tirelessly as your advocate to obtain financial security and stability in the wake of your loss.

A Florida Truck Accident Lawyer May Be Able to Help

Consider, for example, the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes has increased by up due to driver fatigue, unsafe vehicle operation, large, unstable loads, or defective equipment.

Because the amount of issues which inevitable arise in trucking accident claims, these are often not the types of cases a consumer wants to undertake on his/her own.  Truck accidents are difficult incidents to handle without the aid of an experienced truck accident attorney. Not only are they usually much more serious than regular traffic accidents, but semi accidents almost always involve multiple parties, including:

• truck drivers
• trucking companies
• truck owners
• insurance companies

Commercial trucks are required to follow complex laws and regulations enacted at the Federal and State levels.  These can be difficult to understand and handle without a Florida truck attorney who is experienced and knowledgeable about all the applicable laws. These unique laws and regulations often help prove that you are not at fault for the tuck accident.

An experienced truck accident attorney will not only be able to help you file your claim and preserve key evidence, they will work with the insurance companies and any other drivers to help you show who is at fault for the truck accident and who should be held liable for your losses.

Make your voice heard. Call our office today for a free consultation to review your truck accident injury claim.

There are numerous reasons why the sudden, unexpected truck crash occurs on our local highways, from I-75 to Alligator Alley, to Route 41 and State Road 80, all all the major roadways in between (i.e. State Road 82, Route 27, State Road 31, State Road 17, State Road 29, State Road 78, State Road 25, etc.).  There have been several recurring causes, however, which have been identified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Florida Department of Transportation Office of Motor Carrier Compliance, as the most common, or leading, causes of highway collisions. The following are a few of the primary causes for a traffic fatality of serious injury because of a truck crash:

• Physical factors affecting the driver
  • falling asleep or drowsy driving
  • aggressive driving
  • driving under the influence
• Trucks hitting pedestrians
• Collision between a big rig and smaller passenger vehicle
• Trucks hitting fixed objects
• Loss of control
  • tire blow out
  • vehicle failure
  • weather conditions

Of these common types of semi accidents, the majority of them involved combination trucks; that is, tractor trailers and 18 wheelers (tractor truck pulling a trailer).

Additionally, both FMCSA and OMCC have identified an array of truck types involved in fatal collisions or serious crashes:

• 18 wheelers
• 22 wheelers
• Dump trucks
• Tankers
• Garbage trucks
• Cement mixers
• Auto carriers
• Livestock carriers
• Flatbed trucks, flatbed trailers
• Box trucks

Florida Trucking Accident Assistance

It’s frequently challenging for an individual to gauge the level of devastation that has just occurred after a truck collision. It’s critical that an individual who has been involved in any semi truck accident seeks medical attention immediately at the scene and nearby medical center. Even if the passenger vehicle driver or passengers do not immediately feel pain after such an accident, because of the force of the collision, they may be dazed, confused, or “shell-shocked.”  The personal injury might be internal, such as brain hemorrhage, herniated disc, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and an examination by a doctor immediately following a semi truck crash can make certain that the suitable safety precautions are taken.

Additionally, if personal injury was caused by the motor carrier’s negligence, including that of the truck driver, trucking company, or additional third parties, the victim should promptly contact personal injury lawyer and Florida truck accident attorney to review the circumstances, begin an investigation, and if called for, prepare a truck accident claim.

While preparing a truck accident lawsuit may seem to some like a quick reaction to a Southwest Florida trucking accident which occurred recently, the fact is your Florida truck accident lawyer wants to have subpoena power to secure witness information, preserve critical evidence, and move the case forward as quickly as possible.   Semi accidents, including tractor trailer accidents, big rig accident, 18 wheeler accident, often result in wrongful death or catastrophic injury.  Delays typically only help the motor carrier, and not the truck accident injury victim.  So acting promptly is important to quickly proving the truck company’s liability.

Call us today. We’re here to help.

About the Author:  David Harris is a Florida accident lawyer and trial attorney who focuses on helping injured persons and their families recover legally and financially from their serious harms and losses following serious and catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death matters, including semi truck accidents, and similar mishaps which devastate families. David has a unique depth of experience which he puts into practice for each and every client.  His litigation and trial experience includes cases involving brain injury, spinal injury, wrongful death, herniated discs, orthopedic injury, amputation, paralysis, and more, stemming from auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents, highway crashes, and other forms of negligence.

Because the Harris Law Firm PA is not a volume law firm, but instead carefully selects the clients whom they agree to represent, they have the flexibility to represent seriously injured persons and families throughout Southwest Florida, whether they are in Charlotte County (Englewood, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda), Collier County (Everglades City, Golden Gate, Immokalee, Marco Island, Naples, Ochopee), Lee County (Alva, Bonita Springs, Captiva, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, San Carlos Park, Sanibel, St James City), Glades County (Palmdale, Moore Haven), Hendry County (LaBelle, Clewiston), Highlands County (Sebring, Lake Placid, Avon Park), and beyond.

Count them. They really do add up.  From the seemingly smallest, to the largest, gifts in our lives, each of us has reason to give thanks. Take a moment to reflect upon your special gifts.

As we enter one of the busiest travel times of the year, hustling and bustling to get to family, friends, or other loved ones, and sometimes rushing to do so, please take a moment and realize those loved ones want you to get there safely and soundly.  This means using common sense, being vigilant about others on the road who are not, and taking those few extra moments to reflect on what is important instead of racing to shave a few extra minutes (and that’s all it ever is) off your travel time.

Happy Thanksgiving. God Bless.

****

About the Author:  David Harris is a Florida truck accident lawyer and trial attorney who focuses on helping injured persons and their families recover legally and financially from their serious harms and losses following serious and catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death matters, including semi truck accidents, big rig crashes, 18 wheeler accidents, tractor trailer accidents, trucking accidents and similar vehicle mishaps which devastate families. David has a unique depth of experience which he puts into practice for each and every client.  His litigation and trial experience includes cases involving brain injury, spinal injury, wrongful death, herniated discs, orthopedic injury, amputation, paralysis, and more, caused by others’ negligence. Because the Harris Law Firm PA is selective, they have the flexibility to represent seriously injured persons and families throughout Southwest Florida, whether they are in Charlotte County (Englewood, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda), Collier County (Everglades City, Golden Gate, Immokalee, Marco Island, Naples, Ochopee), Glades County (Moore Haven, Palmdale), Hendry County (Clewiston, Felda, LaBelle), Highlands County (Lake Placid, Sebring), Lee County (Alva, Bonita Springs, Captiva, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, San Carlos Park, Sanibel, St James City), Manatee County (Bradenton, Palmetto), Sarasota County (North Port, Sarasota, Venice), and beyond.

Florida Trucking Accident Causes

Because tractor trailers are so big, when they’re involved in collisions, the resulting personal injuries and damage are often quite devastating.  The Federal Motor Carrier Security Administration (FMCSA) and Florida’s Department of Transportation Office of Motor Carrier Compliance (OMCC) regulate trucking in Florida.  When you are seeking an attorney, look for an accident attorney who knows trucking regulations. An experienced personal injury lawyer who knows semi accident cases may sometimes be referred to as a truck accident lawyer.

Both federal and Florida regulations restrict the number of hours per day a truck driver is permitted to drive. These restrictions are referred to as the trucker’s hours of service.  The intention is to stop fatigued drivers from operating their trucks in this kind of a way as to jeopardize the safety of other motorists.

Unfortunately, you will find times when trucking companies overlook their drivers’ violations of these rest time restrictions, and occasionally they encourage their employees to exceed the limitations so as to complete shipments much more rapidly. By doing either of these things, the trucking company could be responsible for creating a hazard on the road.

Another kind of harmful practice by a trucking company is to be careless or negligent when hiring new drivers. In this scenario, the trucking company fails to conduct background research into a new hire’s background prior to making a job offer. It’s possible that truck driver job applicants have serious violations in their driving record which would to make them ineligible for a position.

Additionally, some trucking firms merely don’t invest the time and resources essential for correct training, resulting in numerous dangerous truck drivers being unleashed onto our roadways. Finally, trucking firms have the duty to thoroughly maintain the trucks they own so as to guarantee their security. Tractor trailers need routine engine and brake inspections so as to guarantee correct, safe operation. When trucking companies choose to save money by neglecting these duties, the outcome could be deadly.

Florida Truck Accident Lawyer

When choosing a Florida truck accident lawyer for your serious semi accident claim or the truck crash case on behalf of a loved one, then call the Harris Law Firm PA.

A Florida truck accident attorney will serve your needs whether you are in Charlotte County (Englewood, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda), Collier County (Everglades City, Golden Gate, Immokalee, Marco Island, Naples, Ochopee), Glades County (Moore Haven, Palmdale), Hendry County (Clewiston, Felda, LaBelle), Highlands County (Lake Placid, Sebring), Lee County (Alva, Bonita Springs, Captiva, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, San Carlos Park, Sanibel, St James City), Manatee County (Bradenton, Palmetto), Sarasota County (North Port, Sarasota, Venice), and beyond.

We are proud to cover the needs of those injured on I-75, State Road 82, State Road 80, Alligator Alley, Route 41, Route 27, State Road 31, State Road 17, State Road 29, State Road 78, State Road 25.

Call us today.

Of the 37,261 people killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2008, 11% (4,229) died in crashes that involved a large truck (trucks over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)), according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the federal agency responsible for oversight of the trucking industry. Another 90,000 people were injured in crashes involving large trucks. Only 16% of those killed and 26% of those injured were occupants of large trucks.

• Fatal Crashes. From 1999 to 2008, the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes dropped from 4,920 to 4,066-down by 17.4%. The number of large trucks in fatal crashes per 100 million vehicle miles traveled by large trucks declined in these years from 2.43 to 1.79-down 26%. The corresponding rate for passenger vehicles fell from 1.94 to 1.45-down 25%.
• Injury Crashes. From 1999 to 2008, the number of large trucks involved in injury crashes per 100 million vehicle miles traveled by large trucks declined by 41%, while the rate for passenger vehicles dropped by 32%.
• Vehicles. In 2008, large trucks accounted for 8% of all vehicle miles traveled and 4% of all registered vehicles in the United States. In motor vehicle crashes, large trucks represented:
  • 8% of vehicles in fatal crashes
  • 2% of vehicles in injury crashes
  • 4% of vehicles in property-damage-only
• Large truck tractors pulling semi-trailers accounted for 62% of the large trucks involved in fatal crashes and 48% of the large trucks involved in nonfatal crashes.
• Doubles (truck tractors pulling a semi-trailer and a full trailer) accounted for only 3% of large trucks involved in fatal and nonfatal crashes. Triples (truck tractors pulling three trailers) accounted for less than 0.1% of all large trucks involved in fatal crashes.
• Only 3% of large trucks involved in fatal crashes and 2% of large trucks involved in nonfatal crashes were carrying hazardous materials (HM). HM was released from the cargo compartment in 30% of the fatal crashes and 13% of the nonfatal crashes.
• Drivers. Only 2% of the drivers of large trucks involved in fatal crashes in 2008 were legally intoxicated (blood alcohol content of 0.08 grams per deciliter or higher), as compared with 23% of passenger vehicle drivers in fatal crashes. Only 3% of the drivers of large trucks involved in fatal crashes had any alcohol in their bloodstream.
• 81% of the drivers of large trucks involved in fatal crashes were reported by police as wearing their safety belts, compared with 62% of passenger vehicle drivers involved in fatal crashes.
• In fatal crashes involving large trucks, driver-related factors were recorded for 37% of the large truck drivers. In comparison, driver-related factors were recorded for 68% of passenger vehicle drivers involved in fatal crashes.
• The top two driver-related factors for large trucks and passenger vehicles in fatal crashes were the same: failure to keep in proper lane (11% for trucks, 26% for passenger vehicles) and driving too fast (8% and 23%, respectively). The third most common were inattention for truck drivers (6%) and under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication for passenger vehicle drivers (16%).
• No adverse weather conditions were reported for 85% of the fatal crashes and for 86% of the nonfatal crashes involving large trucks. Rain was the most common adverse weather condition.
• In 75% of the fatal crashes and 71% of the nonfatal crashes involving large trucks, the first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in transport.
• In two-vehicle fatal rear-end crashes, passenger vehicles struck large trucks in the rear approximately three times more often than large trucks struck passenger vehicles in the rear-16% versus 5%.
• In two-vehicle fatal head-on crashes, passenger vehicles crossed the median and collided head-on with large trucks approximately four times more often than large trucks crossed the median and collided head-on with passenger vehicles-17% versus 4%.
• Rollover was the first harmful event for only 5% of the fatal crashes and only 2% of the nonfatal crashes involving large trucks.
• 15% of fatal crashes that took place in work zones-areas of construction, maintenance, or utility activity-involved a large truck.

Contact Us

In Southwest Florida, a dedicated truck accident attorney will serve your needs whether you are in Charlotte County (Englewood, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda), Collier County (Everglades City, Golden Gate, Immokalee, Marco Island, Ochopee), Glades County (Moore Haven, Palmdale), Hendry County (Clewiston, Felda, LaBelle), Highlands County (Lake Placid, Sebring), Lee County (Alva, Bonita Springs, Captiva, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, San Carlos Park, Sanibel, St James City), Manatee County (Bradenton, Palmetto), Sarasota County (North Port, Sarasota, Venice), and beyond.

Call a personal injury attorney at the Harris Law Firm PA today.

Secretary LaHood announced that he is initiating a new rulemaking to prohibit commercial truck drivers from texting while transporting hazardous materials. In addition, Secretary LaHood announced that two rules proposed at last year’s summit have now become the law of the land. Rules banning commercial bus and truck drivers from texting on the job and restricting train operators from using cell phones and other electronic devices while in the driver’s seat have been posted today.

“We are taking action on a number of fronts to address the epidemic of distracted driving in America,” said Secretary LaHood. “With the help of the experts, policymakers, and safety advocates we’ve assembled here, we are going to do everything we can to put an end to distracted driving and save lives.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation has also been working with the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) to engage the private sector to promote anti-distracted driving policies in the workplace. NETS, which was created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is an employer-led public-private partnership dedicated to improving the safety and health of employees by preventing traffic crashes. The USDOT and NETS today announced that almost 1,600 U.S. companies and organizations have adopted distracted driving policies to date, covering approximately 10.5 million workers nationwide. An additional 550 organizations have committed to adopting policies that will cover another 1.5 million employees within the next 12 months.

In 2009, nearly 5,500 people died and half a million were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) research, distraction-related fatalities represented 16 percent of overall traffic fatalities in 2009.

Contact Us

If you need an experienced, principled, and driven personal injury lawyer to personally evaluate your trucking accident claim,  then contact the Harris Law Firm PA today.  At our Firm, we put clients first, and will fight for you and your family following a semi truck accident involving serious personal injury or wrongful death.

In Southwest Florida, a dedicated truck accident attorney will serve your needs whether you are in Charlotte County (Englewood, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda), Collier County (Everglades City, Golden Gate, Immokalee, Marco Island, Ochopee), DeSoto County (Arcadia), Glades County (Moore Haven, Palmdale), Hendry County (Clewiston, Felda, LaBelle), Highlands County (Lake Placid, Sebring), Lee County (Alva, Bonita Springs, Captiva, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, San Carlos Park, Sanibel, St James City), Manatee County (Bradenton, Palmetto), Sarasota County (North Port, Sarasota, Venice), and beyond. Call us today.

A Southwest Florida truck accident often leaves devastated lives and families in its wake.

Consider the numbers on the national level.  In 2008 (which are the latest available statistics at the federal level), more than 380,000 large trucks (gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds) were involved in traffic crashes in the United States. More than 4,000 of these were fatal crashes.

Tractor trailers, 18-wheelers, double trailers (22 wheelers), and large trucks (semi trucks) can cause devastating injuries when they crash into consumers driving cars, pick-up trucks, and SUVs. These truck accidents are often violent, resulting in rollover, roof crush, vehicle occupant ejections, and permanent life-changing injuries. It is not uncommon for the truck accident victim to suffer from severe personal injury, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), head injury, spinal injury, or even wrongful death.

Southwest Florida Trucking Accidents Cause Serious Harms and Losses

The stories are not much different for those of us living and working throughout Southwest Florida.  Following a serious semi accident on our roads, whether the road is Interstate 75, I-75, State Road 93, Route 41, Alligator Alley, State Road 82, State Road 78, State Road 29, State Road 31, Route 27, State Road 25, or other major roadways such as county roads, the victim is often left with permanent, life-changing personal injury for a lifetime.

The trucking company continues its business.  Life for our friends and neighbors continue on.  The truck accident victim and family, however, struggle with their day-to-day lives, left to pick up the pieces of life, physically, mentally, and financially, and wondering how they will get through it all. Faith and hope certainly play important roles in reaching milestones and overcoming these losses and challenges.

On the practical side, medical treatment, surgery, therapy, all cost large sums of money. Limited insurance can and will only pay for so much of the required car and treatment, and then the truck accident victim is left to fend for himself or herself.

Where do you turn? What do you do now?  A truck accident caused by truck driver negligence, improper truck maintenance, or other sources of carelessness drastically change lives forever.  The wrongdoers must be held to account for their actions.

At the Harris Law Firm PA, we move to protect your legal rights and fight to obtain just compensation quickly and efficiently to help with your harms and losses. If you or your loved one was injured in a some sort of accident, then contact us to ensure that your legal rights are protected.

When you contact us, you will speak to an experienced accident lawyer. Your information is confidential, and the consult is free. Call us or simply fill out our form located on your screen.

Following a SWF Semi Truck Accident . . .

Several drivers assume the Florida laws and compensation for incidents, wage loss, etc., are the same regardless of whether you’re hurt in an auto accident crash or tractor trailer crash.  There are distinct differences, and understanding them and approaching them properly is often critical to protecting your rights to just financial compensation to make up for your harms and losses.

Here are some tips on dealing with insurance coverage, health care problems you should know in the event you or someone you know is involved in a truck accident:

Contact Police or Highway Patrol

Even if it is a minor incident, get in touch with local police or Florida Highway Patrol.  Seek medical attention from first responders such as EMS if you feel any pain or discomfort.  There may be more going on than you may realize.

Let First Responders Known If You Have Any Pains or Discomfort — Regardless of How Minor They May Seem at the Scene

Be sure to report even minor pain or discomfort at the scene. Substantial personal injury is often masked early on, and failure to let others know — especially law enforcement and emergency medical personnel — at the scene, will result in the truck company’s insurance carrier to dispute your injuries later on when the personal injury symptoms are full blown.

Obtain Witness Information

While it is important to obtain the info for any passengers and witnesses in the truck accident, it all depends on how you feel at the scene.  The fact is, if you are hurt, you’re not in a position to start assembling witness information, let alone other evidence. So, if you’re hurt, focus on getting well. Allow the FHP or other law enforcement to do their job and preliminarily obtain witness information.

We know from experience that, unfortunately, law enforcement do not often obtain all relevant witness information and rarely photograph the scene.  So, if you are able, contact a friend or family member or the Harris Law Firm PA to go to the scene and photograph the crash scene and interview available witnesses.

If witness details aren’t preserved in the scene, or if it’s missing from the police investigation, then it can be difficult to find later on. So, contact the Harris Law Firm PA to obtain witness information, gather evidence, and represent your interests.

Notify your vehicle insurance company promptly

In Florida, there’s a time limit to notify your very own insurance coverage firm of your truck accident, and to file an application to obtain compensation (personal injury protection insurance, or PIP benefits) for your health care bills up to $10,000. After PIP is finished, you’re on your own or your health insurance steps in.

Filing an application for gains variety together with your insurance coverage corporation is essential for safeguarding your rights, even if your injuries do not seem to be severe.

A experienced accident attorney can definitely help at this stage, so call the Harris Law Firm at 877-274-2080 to start the insurance paperwork to ensure prompt compensation, as well as properly fulfilling the requirements for your truck accident lawsuit.

The reality is, however, that all of the PIP benefits will probably be exhausted, or spent, paying for the hospital stay. The remaining bills will be your responsibility to pay.

After a Serious Semi Truck Accident Injury, Contact Our Accident Injury Law Firm

Retain an experienced attorney. Trucking businesses are required by federal and state law to keep records of safety inspections and drivers’ hours. Since bad gear and driver fatigue trigger numerous truck accidents, these records could prove liability towards the trucking company.

But right after a certain period of time, trucking businesses by law can dispose of pre-trip inspection documents and log books. That’s just one essential way that a truck crash is extremely different from a car accident.

We recommend that you hire a truck accident lawyer (personal injury lawyer) at the Harris Law Firm as soon as possible ahead of important records are intentionally (and legally) destroyed.

Check your vehicle insurance cover policy for uncoordinated benefits

It is essential to quickly review your car insurance coverage policy and any extra contractual coverage you may have. There could be some popular pitfalls and loopholes posed by some typical car insurance cover policies.

For example, some persons have lost thousands of dollars since they did not understand the coordination between health insurance plans and PIP.

In no way sign a release or give statement to an insurance  adjuster

Because it is common practice for trucking companies to send defense attorneys, investigators, and insurance adjusters right away to the crash scene in an effort to lessen the company’s liability, do not speak with them or sign anything.

Otherwise, you could unknowingly relinquish your rights or put your truck accident claim in jeopardy.

Never give statements to any truck crash promises adjuster and never sign a release or allow the adjuster to appear at the automobile injury — without having your your own truck accident attorney present.

Merely tell the adjuster that you need to review the paperwork with your attorney and will get back to them with your response. Too many folks rush into signing adjusters’ documents and do not have the language reviewed by an attorney.

Thus, the injured person may waive their right to sue the negligent truck driver as well as the trucking company for accident-related personal injury. Claims adjusters regularly try to get recorded statements early, aiming to minimize the incident victim’s discomfort and incidents for later use in court.

Even limited property damage releases can contain unrelated language releasing all personal incidents suffered from the auto accident.

Protect Your Rights and Preserve Your Claim
Your Financial Security in the Wake of a Serious Truck Crash May Depend on It

At the Harris Law Firm PA, we provide aggressive, prompt, and ethical advocacy on behalf of individuals and families who have suffered serious personal injury, accident injury, and wrongful death in truck accidents. Contact us today at 877-274-2080.