STUART TRUCK ACCIDENT

With major trucking routes like Interstate 95 and Florida’s Turnpike running through the center of the region, it’s no surprise that truck accidents are common in Martin County. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there’s an average of 315 total crashes involving commercial motor vehicles every year. Annually, around 3-5 people die and another 60 victims are injured in these collisions, leading to considerable losses for their entire families.

At Lesser, Lesser Landy & Smith PLLC, our team is dedicated to helping truck crash victims obtain the compensation they deserve under Florida law. Please contact our office to set up a complimentary consultation today, where a Stuart truck accident lawyer can explain your rights and legal options.

Liability in Florida Truck Accidents: Collisions involving 18-wheelers are similar to other motor vehicle crashes in that they’re usually the result of careless or reckless conduct. In the practice of law, this translates into negligence. You must prove that the truck operator didn’t exercise reasonable care when driving, leading to the accident in which you were injured. Some examples of negligence in a truck accident case are:

• Driving while fatigued or in violation of laws on Hours of Service;
• Speeding or driving too fast for conditions;
• Distracted driving, such as texting, talking, posting to social media, or other unsafe cell phone usage;
• Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and,
• Many other forms of unsafe truck operation.

How to Seek Compensation for Your Losses: In most truck accident cases, your first step in seeking monetary damages will be filing a claim with the driver’s insurance company. You may face challenges in the process, since insurers are businesses looking out for their own interests. Your claim is a threat to profits, especially considering the fact that trucking insurance policies can run into the millions. Plus, you could be dealing with multiple parties, such as the driver’s employer, a trucking company, the owner of the semi, partnerships, and other entities.

If you’re unable to reach an agreement to settle your claim with the insurance company, you may need to take the next step: Filing a lawsuit in court. With assistance from an experienced truck accident lawyer, it’s possible to recover damages for:

• Medical costs;
• Lost wages;
• Pain and suffering;
• Losses that affect your personal relationships;
• Emotional distress; and,
• Many other types of losses depending on the details of your case.