If you or a loved one were injured in an accident with a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or similar oversized vehicle, The Ward Law Group can help.
Truck accidents are more complex than car accidents due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, which can weigh up to 40 tons and cause significant damage to passenger vehicles. In Florida, the statute of limitations for bringing a trucking accident lawsuit is two years, making it crucial to secure legal counsel promptly.
In a truck accident caused by negligence or unethical business practices, seek immediate medical treatment before contacting an experienced Kissimmee truck accident attorney.
Hiring a Kissimmee Truck Accident Lawyer
Trucking companies often deploy an Accident Response Team to gather evidence and build a compelling case to minimize their financial liability and refute personal injury claims.
The Ward Law Group ensures you receive the maximum financial compensation for your injuries by collecting, preserving, and examining evidence early.
With over 15 years of experience, our award-winning truck accident lawyers have aggressively pursued the maximum compensation for Kissimmee victims and their families, allowing them to focus on recovery.
We obtain video footage, police reports, and other evidence to uncover the driver's actions before the accident and any inconsistencies in the driver's log.
Commercial Liability Coverage in Florida
If a Florida trucker fails to operate the vehicle safely and reasonably, they increase the risk of bodily injury or wrongful death. Non-compliance with state and federal trucking regulations can result in severe injuries, including:
- Internal organ damage
- Disfigurement requiring plastic surgery
- Severe whiplash
- Sprains or broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Wrongful death
Truck accident victims may face mounting medical bills exceeding $100,000. Understanding available insurance coverage is crucial in pursuing a lawsuit against an at-fault carrier. Most tractor-trailers are owned by third parties that offer several coverage options.
Combined Single Limit (CSL) coverage includes property and bodily injury insurance, while Commercial Liability Coverage covers medical bills not addressed by Personal Injury Protection (PIP). In cases of identified negligence, the defendant's insurance carrier will compensate out-of-pocket expenses.
Victims may also be entitled to damages for pain, suffering, mental anguish, and future medical care pursued against the commercial company's insurance carrier.
Types of Damages Recoverable in Truck Accident Cases
Dealing with financially sound defendants experienced in liability claims can be challenging. The Ward Law Group is committed to safeguarding our clients' rights by defending their legal and financial interests.
Injuries sustained in a truck accident can hold multiple parties liable, including:
- The truck owner, driver, and the company that hired the driver
- The company leasing the truck, if applicable
- The owner or leasing company of the trailer, if involved
- The truck-loading company
- The manufacturer of the truck's components, if product liability is demonstrated
Each case is unique, and we adopt a results-driven approach to litigate across the full spectrum of truck accident negligence. Our clients often experience physical, emotional, and financial hardship, so we seek a broad range of damages, including medical treatment and rehabilitation, loss of income, disability, or permanent inability to engage in gainful employment.
Questions to Ask a Kissimmee Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been involved in a trucking accident, here are some essential questions to consider:
- How was the truck driver compensated (by the mile, load, hour, or salary)?
- Did the trucking company ever reprimand the driver, and if so, why?
- Who owned the tractor-trailer at the time of the crash, and did the driver work for a specific company?
- What are the trucking company's safety policies, maintenance records, and operational procedures?
- What was the weight and load of the tractor-trailer, and what were the details of its journey?
- Are there any onboard recording devices or video cameras on the truck?
- Was the driver tested for drugs or alcohol as a pre-employment condition or after the accident?
- What insurance coverage does the commercial truck maintain, and what are the excess policies?
Understanding Truck Accidents in Osceola County
In its annual traffic crash report, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles defines a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) as any bus, truck, vehicle transporting hazardous materials, or vehicle weighing over 10,000 pounds.
According to the latest data, 654 CMV crashes occurred in Osceola County in 2018, resulting in 315 injuries and 10 fatalities.
This equates to nearly two crashes per day in this county alone, with almost half of these incidents resulting in injury or death. Truck accidents are often traumatic and can cause severe injuries, frequently due to negligent truck drivers or trucking companies.
Your Rights Under Florida Personal Injury Law
Under Florida personal injury law, if you suffer a permanent injury in a truck crash or lose a loved one in a wrongful death accident, you can recover compensation for your medical bills and lost wages, as well as for mental or emotional pain and suffering and other legal damages. The Ward Law Group is here to assist you in this process.
Our experienced Kissimmee truck accident lawyers have been helping Osceola County crash victims for years.
We have the knowledge, skill, dedication, and resources to challenge even the most prominent national trucking companies and hold them accountable for their negligence, whether failing to properly train or supervise their drivers or maintaining their fleet safely.
What Makes Truck Accidents So Dangerous?
Whether you call them trucks, tractor-trailers, semis, big rigs, or 18-wheelers, these massive vehicles dominate the state routes and highways of Osceola County.
Weighing up to 80,000 pounds, these rigs outweigh even the heaviest SUVs by more than ten to one. The force delivered on impact at highway speeds is enormous enough to overcome the crashworthiness of the strongest and safest passenger vehicles.
Due to their immense weight, semi-trucks require more reaction time and stopping distance than the average passenger vehicle.
Unless the trucker is driving safely and allowing plenty of room between the truck and other vehicles, a sudden change in traffic patterns or an object in the road can lead to a catastrophic accident. The size and shape of tractor-trailers also create numerous dangerous blind spots for the driver.
All cars have blind spots that drivers must check before changing lanes, but in the case of 18-wheelers, these blind spots extend across several lanes on both sides of the trailer, several car lengths behind the trailer, and in front of the cab.
Drivers of passenger vehicles near these big rigs also have difficulty seeing around the trucks.
Although we all know that hanging out in a truck driver's blind spots (the "no-zone") is dangerous, it's not always possible to avoid heavy traffic or when passing a truck—truckers who fail to check their mirrors before changing lanes risk causing a severe accident.
Why Truck Accidents Are More Dangerous
Each year, thousands of motor vehicle accidents occur on the road, leading to severe consequences that range from inconvenient repair costs to devastating personal injuries, property damage, and fatalities.
Unfortunately, the trucking industry is involved in many of these accidents yearly.
If you are in an accident with a large semi-truck, big rig, or other commercial truck, such as those operated by UPS, FedEx, or Amazon, the potential for severe consequences is even higher.
Large trucks can weigh 20 to 30 times more than typical passenger vehicles, creating an exceptionally dangerous situation in a collision.
Various types of vehicles—such as passenger cars, motorcycles, and trucks—are affected by different factors when it comes to traffic crashes and accidents in the United States. Trucks, due to their size and weight, pose unique risks. At highway speeds, the impact force from an 80,000-pound truck is immense, capable of overwhelming even the most robust passenger vehicles.
The large size of these vehicles means they need more reaction time and stopping distance than regular cars. A sudden change in traffic or an unexpected object on the road can lead to catastrophic accidents if the trucker is not driving safely.
Additionally, the size and shape of tractor-trailers create dangerous blind spots that can extend across several lanes on both sides and continue for several car lengths behind and in front of the vehicle.
Steps to Take After a Commercial Truck Accident
Accidents involving large vehicles can be particularly frightening and overwhelming. Even so, taking the proper steps immediately after the accident is crucial for gathering the evidence necessary for filing a personal injury claim later on.
Call 9-1-1
- The priority after an accident is the safety of everyone involved. If there are injuries, call 9-1-1 for immediate medical assistance and to report the accident to the police. Medical records and a police report will support your personal injury or property damage claim.
Gather Information
- Collect other drivers, passengers, and witnesses' names, phone numbers, insurance information, and license plate numbers. This information is essential for recovering accident-related damages.
Get Photographic Evidence
- Take photos of your injuries, the accident scene, and any property damage. These photos can be vital for supporting your legal claim. While police officers will also take pictures for their report, having your own set can be beneficial.
Contact a Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer
- After addressing immediate concerns, contact a truck accident attorney who can help you assert your legal rights and guide you through the following steps.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Various factors can influence truck accidents, some unique to the trucking industry. These include:
- Driver Fatigue: Professional drivers often work long hours, which can lead to fatigue that can impair judgment and driving skills.
- Improperly Loaded Cargo: Incorrectly loaded cargo can cause instability.
- Speeding: Excessive speed increases the risk of accidents.
- Poorly Maintained Vehicles: Lack of maintenance can lead to equipment failures.
- Drug and Alcohol Use: The use of over-the-counter, prescription drugs or alcohol can impair driving abilities.
- Unfamiliarity with the Roadway: Not knowing the roads can contribute to accidents.
- Traffic Law Violations: Ignoring traffic laws increases accident risks.
- Traffic Flow Interruptions: Congestion and sudden stops can lead to crashes.
- Brake Problems: Brake failures are hazardous for large trucks.
- Weather Conditions: Adverse weather can make driving hazardous.
Contact a Kissimmee Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident, The Ward Law Group is here to help. Our experienced Kissimmee truck accident lawyers understand the complexities of these cases and are committed to securing the best possible outcome for you.
Contact us for a free case evaluation to explore your legal options. Call us today at 855-DOLOR-55. Let us fight for the compensation you deserve while you focus on your recovery.