Clearwater Truck Accident Lawyer
Every year in the U.S., there are more than 500,000 accidents involving large trucks, according to a report from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Almost 120,000 of these crashes cause injuries, which are often serious or fatal.
Truck accident victims may need long-term medical treatment, rehabilitation and care. They may be unable to work and participate in normal, everyday activities. As a result, they may have difficulty paying their bills and can become depressed and anxious. The experienced Clearwater truck accident attorneys at the Dennis Hernandez law firm understand these issues and want to help.
If you have recently been seriously injured in a truck accident in the Clearwater area, or anywhere else in Florida, you may have the legal right to seek substantial financial compensation for your injuries, including for your medical expenses, lost income, and loss of quality of life. Our truck accident lawyers want to hear what happened to you and advise you on your best legal option.
Please call us at 855-529-3366 or fill out the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on our website to get started on your case.
Causes of Truck Accidents in the Clearwater, Florida, Area
When a large truck collides with a car, the impact can cause extensive damage to the car and the people inside it, since a commercial truck may be up to 30 times heavier than a passenger vehicle. In fact, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that in 82% of fatal accidents involving a large truck, the person hurt was not the truck driver but rather, was the driver or passenger of the other vehicle, or someone not in a vehicle, such as a pedestrian or bicyclist.
The large size and weight of trucks that make them more dangerous in collisions than other vehicles also makes them harder to maneuver. Large trucks take longer to stop than cars, and they need extra space and time to make turns. When truck drivers are negligent and not particularly careful when stopping or turning, they can cause serious accidents.
In addition, when truck drivers go too fast for the road conditions, they can lose control of their trucks and collide with another vehicle or cause an accident because the truck rolls over. Unfortunately, truck drivers may be under pressure from their companies to get to their destinations in an unreasonably short amount of time. This pressure can cause them to speed, which increases the risk accidents.
Driver fatigue is also a common cause of accidents. All drivers can get tired, but fatigue is especially a problem for commercial truck drivers who may be under pressure to drive long hours without sleep to finish their runs more quickly.
Other common causes of truck accidents include distracted driving that occurs when drivers using their phones or other devices while driving and mechanical problems with the truck, especially with the brakes or tires. These types of problems may be caused by manufacturing defects or improper maintenance.
Determining the cause of your accident is important for establishing who was at fault. Our experienced Clearwater truck accident lawyers have the know-how and resources to thoroughly investigate your accident and collect the evidence necessary to hold the other driver accountable for negligence.
Who Is Responsible for a Truck Accident in Clearwater?
When a commercial truck collides with a car, more parties may be responsible for the accident than if the collision was between two cars. That is because there are several people and/or companies whose actions or failures to act may have contributed to the cause of the accident.
When people or companies make mistakes because they are not as careful as the law requires them to be, they are considered negligent. Under Florida law, when their negligent mistakes harm other people, they can be held responsible for that harm.
One person who is often at fault is the truck driver. Driver negligence includes not paying attention, speeding, being fatigued, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
If there was something wrong with the truck that contributed to the accident, such as faulty brakes, several companies might be held responsible, including the truck manufacturer, the parts manufacturer, and the company responsible for maintenance and repairs.
An experienced Dennis Hernandez Clearwater truck accident lawyer will identify all the at-fault parties who may be held responsible for your accident-related expenses and losses.
How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Truck Accident Injury?
The amount of compensation you can recover in a truck accident lawsuit depends on the extent of your physical injuries, your financial losses and other individual factors. However, in general, if you have been seriously injured in a truck accident caused or partially caused by someone else’s negligence, the experienced Denns Hernandez Clearwater truck accident lawyers can help you recover compensation for the following damages:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Diminished capacity to enjoy life
- Medical expenses, including hospital stays, office visits, medication, assistive devices and future healthcare expenses
- Lost income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Your family’s loss of your guidance, companionship and assistance
- Other damages recoverable under Florida lawC
Call us in Clearwater at 855-529-3366 or submit the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on our website to talk with an experienced truck accident attorney about what compensation may be attainable in your truck accident case.
How an Experienced Clearwater Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You Get Substantial Compensation
The Dennis Hernandez truck accident lawyers will work diligently to help you obtain the full, fair compensation you deserve for the pain, suffering and losses you have endured because of your truck accident injuries. We will guide you through the legal process and fight for your right to get the fair compensation you need by:
- Investigating the accident thoroughly and identifying all the parties who were at fault.
- Gathering evidence showing your need for full compensation for your expenses and losses, which may include current and future medical treatment, rehabilitation services, hospital stays, surgery, medication, home care, assistive devices, lost income, loss of earning power, physical pain, trauma, disability, scarring, loss of enjoyment of life, and your family’s loss of your guidance, companionship, and support.
- Negotiating forcefully with all the defendants’ insurance companies on your behalf.
- Never accepting a settlement offer that is less than the full and fair compensation you deserve.
- Keeping you updated on progress on your case and being by your side every step of the way.
- Putting our litigation experience to work preparing for trial in case we need to take the fight to the courtroom to win a fair award.
If you have been seriously injured in a truck accident in and around Clearwater or throughout Florida, please do not hesitate to call us at 855-529-3366 or fill out the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on our website. Let us put our experience and expertise to work for you.