If you were seriously injured, remember that it is crucial to choose the right law firm to represent your interests. We have been doing this for more than three decades, and have the resources you need to challenge any opponent.
Mar 31, 2022
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you’re likely facing multiple challenges—mounting medical bills from severe injuries, lost income, an inability to work, major damage to your vehicle, and pain and emotional distress. At The Ferraro Law Firm, we represent Florida truck accident victims to ensure they’re fully compensated for all of these costs, along with any others they may have incurred after a crash.
During the days and weeks after your crash, there are several things you can do to maximize the damages award you’ll receive—ensuring a fair settlement that reflects the injuries and harm you’ve sustained. But unless you have guidance from an experienced Florida truck accident attorney, you could be more likely to make mistakes that harm your chances of an adequate settlement.
Below, we explain what makes truck accidents different—and how The Ferraro Law Firm can help you achieve the outcome you deserve.
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Large Truck Crashes are Different
Tractor-trailers are vital for quickly shipping goods across the country, and companies like FedEx, UPS, and Amazon ship millions of packages throughout the country every day. Other tractor-trailers are responsible for transporting fuel, food, and other necessities of daily life.
Unfortunately, the sheer size of these multi-ton vehicles, combined with the increasing amount of traffic on U.S. roadways, can put other drivers at risk. Whenever a 3,000-pound car or truck is involved in a crash with an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer, this size differential can spell disaster for the passenger vehicle.
What Causes Large Truck Crashes?
Every crash is different, but there are a few common factors that often come into play when larger vehicles are involved.
- Traveling too quickly
- Failing to adapt to road conditions
- Driver fatigue
- Driver impairment
- Driver inexperience
- Distracted driving
- Driving at night
- Driving during inclement weather
- Improper loading
- Cargo shifts
- Loss of control
- Tire blowouts
- Tire Pressure
In many cases, more than one of the above factors may have contributed to a crash. An inattentive or inexperienced driver who is also traveling too fast for conditions can pose a danger to those around them, as can a fatigued truck driver. Often, it can take a while to determine the true cause or causes of a crash—investigators may need to examine the truck’s “black box” that shows its speed at the time of the accident, access surveillance or dash camera footage, or track cell phone logs that can give a clue as to what each driver was doing just before the accident.
Because commercial trucks are so large and heavy, they lack the ability to maneuver or stop quickly. A one- or two-second delay in reaction time that might be no problem for a passenger vehicle can lead to disaster for a large truck. For a fully loaded tractor-trailer traveling at 65 miles per hour, it can take nearly two football fields to stop—almost twice the stopping distance of a passenger vehicle going the same speed. Rainy, windy, or icy weather can increase this stopping distance, and if drivers don’t compensate for this by slowing down, they could run the risk of rear-ending another vehicle. Overloaded trucks take longer to slow down and newer drivers may not compensate correctly.
Although there are federal regulations that govern tractor-trailer driver speed and the number of hours per day on the road, enforcement of these regulations can be spotty. With the number of truck drivers in the U.S. shrinking by the day as many retire or go on to other careers, truck drivers can be under pressure to work long hours or travel faster than is safe so that they can get on to the next assignment. These pressures also put other drivers at risk.
Having an Experienced Florida Truck Accident Attorney is Crucial
Because trucking accidents often result in serious injuries and implicate so many state and federal motor carrier laws, they can be far more complex than auto accident cases. The more significant your injuries and long-term damages, the more crucial it is to ensure that your rights are protected. It takes experienced lawyers to effectively litigate commercial truck driver negligence and ensure that you recover all the compensation you deserve.
What’s more, trucking companies and their insurers and legal teams are focused on one thing—minimizing their financial liability. It’s in the best interest of an insurance company to settle your truck accident claim as quickly and cheaply as possible, and they’ll quickly begin to pressure you to settle or to admit liability. You may even encounter a trucking representative at the scene of the accident or while in the hospital!
But in the first few days or weeks after a serious truck accident, assessing the value of your claim can be tough. You may not yet know whether you’ll need rehabilitation, long-term physical therapy, modifications to your home or vehicle, or even whether you’ll be able to continue working. By settling for only enough to cover your current medical bills and property damage, you could be leaving funds on the table—funds you’re likely to need later.
Having experienced Florida truck accident lawyers handling your claim can allow you to spend your days focused on recovery instead of arguing with insurance representatives. Once hired, your personal injury attorney will investigate your claim, gather evidence, and begin building your case. Whether your case settles before trial or goes to a jury, your attorney will be by your side throughout the process, fighting for your rights and ensuring that you’re fairly compensated for your pain and injuries. And because truck accident litigation is on a contingency fee basis, your attorney won’t receive any payment until or unless you recover damages.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial vehicle accident, you may be entitled to compensation. At The Ferraro Law Firm, we’re focused on each client’s case and will use all our resources to ensure you have the most robust representation possible. To schedule your free consultation, call 888-554-2030 or just fill out our free case consultation form and a member of our legal team will soon be in touch. Our services are always free unless you win.
Truck Accident FAQs
Who is responsible for a truck accident?
Why are truck accident claims so complex?
Is it worth it to hire a truck accident lawyer?
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