Sebring Truck Accident Attorneys

Strong Enough to Challenge Trucking Companies

After a truck accident leaves you severely injured or takes away a loved one, it’s normal to struggle with pain, complications, and financial hardships. What you don’t have to do is go through this difficult time alone. Find the legal guidance and moral support you need and deserve by coming to Burnetti, P.A. and talking with our Sebring truck accident lawyers. We are committed to fighting for your full recovery, whether it means moving your case toward a fair settlement or fiercely fighting for you in court.

Call (863) 777-4431 or submit an online contact form to request an initial consultation.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can take many different forms and cause all sorts of disastrous outcomes. From two-vehicle crashes to multivehicle wrecks that block entire highways, the outcome of a bad truck accident can be life-changing and the details surrounding it can be complex. Regardless of the specific type of truck accident you were in, our team of legal professionals is always ready to provide you with the support and representation you deserve.

Let us know if you were in any of these common types of truck accidents or any other type:

• Rear-end collisions: When a truck crashes into the vehicle in front of it, the result can be catastrophic to the smaller vehicle that was rear-ended, mostly due to the significant size and weight of the average commercial truck.
• Jackknife accidents: A truck jackknifes when its trailer swings out to form a 90-degree angle with the cab. This accident type usually happens when the truck skids or brakes suddenly, perhaps due to the truck driver breaking the speed limit.
• Underride accidents: An underride accident occurs when a smaller vehicle slides under the rear or side of a truck's trailer, which often results in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
• Rollovers: When a truck tips over onto its side or roof, it is a rollover accident. Factors like speeding, sharp turns, or uneven cargo loads usually contribute to the risk of a rollover.
• Loose cargo accidents: If a truck's cargo is not properly secured, it can spill onto the roadway, creating hazards for other drivers and leading to serious accidents. Loose cargo often includes construction materials and consumer goods.
• Tire blowouts: Sudden tire failures can cause truck drivers to lose control. Blowouts can be caused by poor maintenance, overloading, or road hazards, and they pose a significant danger due to the unpredictable nature of the truck's response to the sudden loss of traction and balance.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

At Burnetti, P.A., we often work closely with medical experts who can provide detailed insights into our clients’ conditions and permanent injuries. With this professional collaboration, our Sebring truck accident attorneys can better assess the impact your injuries have had on your life and what hardships they will cause years from now.

Common injuries suffered in truck accidents include:

• Brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Amputations
• Soft tissue injuries
• Whiplash
• Broken bones
• Permanent disfigurements
• Burn injuries

What are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Our Sebring truck accident attorneys can utilize our extensive experience and investigative resources to uncover the facts of your crash. For difficult cases, we often collaborate with accident reconstruction experts to piece together the events leading up to the incident. This thorough approach allows us to identify the root causes of the accident, so we can better argue that you don’t deserve any liability.

Types of negligence that commonly cause truck accidents include:

• Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours under tight deadlines. Fatigue toward the end of a shift can impair reaction times, decision-making abilities, and overall driving performance, making it a contributing factor in many truck accidents.
• Distracted driving: Distractions such as texting, eating, or using a navigation system can divert a truck driver's attention from the road. Even a momentary lapse in focus can result in devastating consequences, especially when operating a large commercial vehicle.
• Improper maintenance: Regular maintenance is essential for the safe operation of commercial trucks and big rigs. Negligence in maintaining critical components like brakes, tires, and lights can lead to sudden and dangerous mechanical failures on the road.
• Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo: Failing to properly load and secure cargo can affect a truck's stability and handling. Overloading can strain vehicle components like the braking system, while improperly distributed loads can lead to rollovers or lost cargo.

Who Can Be Liable for Causing a Truck Accident?

Liability for a truck accident can often be split among multiple parties, making the determination of fault a complex process. This complexity is why working with our legal team from the start is highly recommended. Let us handle the many details while you focus on yourself and your family.

Parties that can be liable for a truck accident vary, such as:

• Truck driver: The driver can be held liable if the accident was caused by their negligence, such as driving while fatigued, distracted, intoxicated, or violating traffic laws. If the truck driver is an independent contractor, not an employee, it will be all the more likely that they will be specifically named a defendant in any injury claim that follows.
• Trucking company: A trucking company may be liable for hiring unqualified drivers, failing to provide proper training, encouraging violations of hours-of-service regulations, or neglecting to maintain their fleet adequately.
• Truck maintenance company: If a truck accident occurs due to mechanical failure or poor maintenance, the company responsible for the upkeep of the truck could be held accountable for not performing necessary repairs or inspections, assuming it is a separate entity from the trucking company.

How is Negligence Established in a Truck Accident?

Establishing negligence in a truck accident in Florida requires proving that the truck driver or other parties involved failed to exercise reasonable care and violated the duty of care owed to other people on the road, directly leading to an accident and injuries. In more specific terms, this legal process involves demonstrating that there was a duty of care owed, a breach of that duty, causation linking the breach to the accident, and actual harm or damage suffered. When we’re working on your truck accident claim, we can gather compelling evidence to support your case.

Evidence that can be used to establish negligence may include:

• Dashcam footage
• Eyewitness statements
• Police reports
• Electronic onboard records (EOBRs)
• Truck driver's history of unsafe driving
• Trucking company's poor safety protocols

Steps to Take After a Truck Accident

If you’ve been in a truck accident, you should try to:

• Seek medical attention: Check for injuries and move to a safe location if possible. Call 911 for immediate medical assistance for any injured parties.
• Report the accident: Contact law enforcement to report the accident. If you call 911, the police will already be summoned to your location.
• Gather evidence: Collect as much information as possible at the scene, including photos of the vehicles, damages, road conditions, and any relevant signage. Obtain contact information from witnesses who stop to help.
• Exchange information: Share your contact and insurance details with the truck driver involved in the accident and collect their information, including the trucking company's name and policy number.
• Consult a lawyer: Before you notify your auto insurance provider about the crash, you should reach out to a legal professional from Burnetti, P.A. to discuss your case.

Florida Truck Accident Statute of Limitations

In Florida, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim or a truck accident is generally two years from the date of the accident. You likely have a two-year window to initiate legal action against the parties responsible for your injuries and damages, and failing to file within this period can result in the forfeiture of your right to seek compensation through the courts. In some cases, the statute of limitations may be much shorter, though, so you should always talk to an attorney about starting a claim at your first opportunity.

Process for Filing a Truck Accident Claim in Florida

The process of filing a truck accident claim in Florida usually includes at least these five main steps:

1. Initial consultation: Meet with a personal injury attorney from our firm to discuss the details of the accident, evaluate your case, and determine the next course of action.
2. Investigation and evidence gathering: Your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation, collecting evidence such as accident reports, medical records, witness statements, and any other relevant documentation to prepare a strong case on your behalf.
3. Filing the claim: Your attorney will file a formal claim with the at-fault party's insurance company, outlining the extent of your injuries, damages, and the compensation you're seeking.
4. Negotiation: The insurance company representing the truck driver or trucking company may offer to enter settlement negotiations to avoid litigation. We can attempt to negotiate a fair amount that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
5. Litigation (if necessary): If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney can discuss the option of filing a lawsuit and taking the case to court. During litigation, both sides will present their evidence and arguments, and a judge or jury will determine the outcome.

Compensation Available for Truck Accident Claims

We are committed to securing the maximum possible compensation for our clients who have been injured in truck accidents. Money will never be able to undo what happened, but it can help tremendously by giving you financial stability again, as well as the means to get thorough medical care for your injuries.

Economic damages that may be available in a truck accident claim include:

• Medical expenses (current and future)
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Property damage
• Rehabilitation costs

Non-economic damages that may be available in a truck accident claim include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Shortened life expectancy
• Permanent disfigurement
• Loss of consortium

Florida's no-fault auto accident insurance laws can complicate the process of pursuing full compensation, as these laws require you to first seek recovery through your own insurance policy, regardless of fault. However, in cases involving severe injuries, you may be eligible to pursue additional compensation from the at-fault party. Navigating these complexities is challenging, which is why you should insist on working with an experienced lawyer from our firm who can guide you through the entire legal process.

Fight for Your Recovery – Call Us First

Make hiring a truck accident lawyer from Burnetti, P.A. after a truck accident in Sebring one of your top priorities. Our extensive experience and dedication to your total recovery can give you peace of mind and confidence throughout the legal process. We are fully prepared to handle the complexities of truck accident claims, including Florida's no-fault insurance laws and attempting to negotiate with insurance companies, so you don’t have to. Focus on your recovery while we focus on your success.

Request an initial consultation with our Sebring truck accident attorneys by dialing (863) 777-4431 now.