With over 15 million trucks running on our interstate highway system, state, and local roads every day, it’s no surprise they are involved in a number of accidents each year. A fully loaded tractor trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and if involved in an accident, can result in life altering injuries, death of loved ones, and devastating financial consequences for families. If you, your spouse, or family member has been injured in a commercial vehicle crash, the exact cause of it must be determined as soon as possible. An experienced attorney will look into a number of matters which might reveal the reasons, such as getting the truck’s maintenance records to make sure the brakes, lights, tires, mirrors, and other safety systems were in good working order. The investigation does not necessarily end there. Other common causes of truck accidents include an improperly loaded trailer that caused the load to shift, and distracted or careless driving. So, for example, was the truck driver texting on their phone before the accident? Was the driver on a cell phone call? Poorly trained drivers are yet another cause of serious truck accidents. What was the driver’s past driving history? What was his or her training for the job? Was the truck driver even qualified to drive a big rig?
As a result of a truck crash, if you miss work, or unable to return to that job, Florida law permits you to make a claim for those loss of earnings and perhaps earning capacity. If your injuries require multiple surgeries, continuing medical care, or a period of rehabilitation, or a lifetime of it, how are you going to pay for it? Again, Florida law entitles you to make a claim for all those medical related expenses, past, present, and future. Finally, pain, suffering, inability to lead a normal life, and emotional distress due to bone fractures, back and neck injuries, rotator cuff injuries, concussions, closed head injuries, burns, or seat belt and air bag injuries, can make life difficult and challenging under the best of circumstances. However, the injured party is entitled to compensation – money – for all past, present, and future pain, suffering, and inability to lead a normal life.
If you or a loved one have suffered serious injury, or death due to a truck crash, it’s vital that you hire an attorney with the experience, knowledge, and willingness to do whatever is necessary to get your case to a conclusion that is acceptable to you – be it by settlement or trial. The Law Offices of Rand Saltsgaver have been helping the people of Orlando, and greater Central Florida, fight trucking companies, insurance companies, auto manufacturers, and negligent truck drivers for almost four decades. Contact us for a free consultation. You owe us nothing, unless we get the compensation you deserve, and are entitled to under Florida law.