Winter Haven Truck Accident Lawyers

Representing Victims of Semi-Truck Crashes in Winter Haven, FL

Truck accidents are some of the most devastating and deadly motor vehicle collisions that occur on the roads of Winter Haven and throughout the state of Florida. When these accidents happen, the victims can be left with severe and life-threatening injuries, and they may face a long and difficult road to recovery.

At Burnetti, P.A., our Winter Haven truck accident attorneys are dedicated to helping victims and their families get the justice and compensation they deserve. We have been representing truck accident victims for more than 30 years, and we have the experience and resources to take on even the most complex cases.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident, contact us today at (888) 444-8508 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We have offices in Winter Haven, Tampa, and Orlando, and we represent clients throughout the state of Florida.

What is a Truck Accident?

A truck accident refers to any collision involving a large commercial truck. These accidents can be catastrophic due to the size and weight of trucks, which can cause significant damage to vehicles, property, and severe injuries or fatalities.

Common types of truck accidents include:

• Rear-end collisions: When a truck hits the vehicle in front of it. This can occur due to sudden stops, distracted driving, or issues with braking systems.
• Jackknife accidents: Where the truck's cab and trailer fold in on each other, forming a V shape. This often happens when the trailer swings outward from the cab, typically on slick roads or due to sudden braking.
• Rollovers: When a truck tips onto its side or roof. This can result from taking a turn too quickly, unevenly distributed cargo, or road conditions.
• Underride accidents: Occur when a smaller vehicle gets trapped underneath the rear or side of a truck's trailer. These accidents often lead to severe injuries or fatalities for the occupants of the smaller vehicle.
• Override accidents: Happen when a truck drives over a smaller vehicle, often due to the inability to stop in time or misjudgment of distance.
• Blind-spot accidents: Trucks have large blind spots where smaller vehicles can become invisible to the truck driver. Accidents happen when trucks change lanes or turn without seeing a vehicle in their blind spot.
• Cargo-related accidents: Improperly secured or overloaded cargo can cause accidents by shifting, spilling, or causing the truck to become unbalanced.

Each type of truck accident can result in varying degrees of damage, injury, and liability. Factors such as driver error, mechanical failures, road conditions, and weather often contribute to these accidents.

What Causes Truck Accidents in Winter Haven?

Truck accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, and in many cases, more than one party is to blame. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

• Driver Error: Truck drivers are often under a lot of pressure to meet tight deadlines, and they may be tempted to speed or drive recklessly to get to their destination faster. Truck drivers may also be distracted by their cell phones or other electronic devices, and they may not be paying attention to the road. In addition, truck drivers may be impaired by drugs or alcohol, and they may not be able to safely operate their vehicle.
• Truck Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers are required to follow hours-of-service regulations, which limit the number of hours they can drive without taking a break. However, many truck drivers violate these regulations and drive while they are fatigued. Fatigued driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving, and it can significantly increase the risk of a truck accident.
• Truck Driver Inexperience: Driving a semi-truck is very different from driving a passenger vehicle, and truck drivers need to have the proper training and experience to safely operate their vehicle. Unfortunately, some trucking companies hire drivers who do not have the necessary experience, and this can increase the risk of a truck accident.
• Truck Driver Negligence: Truck drivers have a duty to operate their vehicle in a safe and responsible manner, and when they fail to do so, they can be held liable for any accidents and injuries that occur. Some examples of truck driver negligence include speeding, tailgating, failing to yield the right of way, and failing to check their blind spots before changing lanes.
• Trucking Company Negligence: Trucking companies have a duty to hire qualified drivers, and they need to properly train and supervise their drivers. In addition, trucking companies need to properly maintain their vehicles, and they need to ensure that their trucks are safe to operate. When a trucking company fails to meet these duties, they can be held liable for any accidents and injuries that occur.
• Defective Truck Parts: In some cases, a truck accident may be caused by a defective truck part. For example, the brakes on the truck may be defective, and the truck driver may not be able to stop in time to avoid a collision. When a truck accident is caused by a defective truck part, the manufacturer of the part can be held liable for any accidents and injuries that occur.
• Improperly Loaded Cargo: Semi-trucks are very large and heavy, and they can be difficult to control, especially when they are carrying a heavy load. When a truck is not properly loaded, the cargo can shift during transit, and this can cause the truck driver to lose control of their vehicle. In addition, if the cargo is not properly secured, it can fall off the truck and hit other vehicles on the road. When a truck accident is caused by improperly loaded cargo, the company that loaded the cargo can be held liable for any accidents and injuries that occur.

How Our Winter Haven Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help

Truck accident cases can be complex, and they often involve multiple parties. Here are some of the ways our team at Burnetti, P.A., can help:

• Investigate the Accident: Our team will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident and gather all available evidence. We will review the police report, interview witnesses, and work with accident reconstruction experts to determine how the accident happened and who was at fault.
• Identify All Liable Parties: In many truck accident cases, more than one party is to blame. For example, the truck driver may have been speeding, but the trucking company may have failed to properly train and supervise the driver. Our team will identify all liable parties and hold them accountable for your injuries.
• Calculate Your Damages: Our team will calculate all of your damages, both current and future. We will work with medical experts, economists, and other professionals to determine the full extent of your injuries and how they will affect you in the future.
• Negotiate with the Insurance Company: Our team will handle all communication with the insurance company and other parties, and we will negotiate with the insurance company to get you a fair settlement. If the insurance company is not willing to make a fair offer, we are not afraid to take your case to court.

Contact us today at (888) 444-8508 to let our firm help you maximize your entitled compensation.