When you have to step away from your job, devote valuable time and money to medical care, and deal with stress and pain because a big rig operator or company harmed you, it can feel frustrating and unfair. By leveraging insurance and personal injury laws, you may be able to secure compensation to help address your losses and discomfort and equip you with what you need to move forward.
At our law firm, we proudly serve those who are hurting, and we take steps to make sure our clients feel seen, valued, and heard. As part of this effort, when you work with a Lake County truck accident lawyer on our team, that is who you see and communicate with throughout the entirety of your case. Instead of pushing clients to case managers, our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys take steps to make sure you have access to the person you hired so you receive a high level of personalized service.
Who Might Be at Fault for an Auto Wreck With an Eighteen Wheeler?
Someone who is hurt in a jackknife, head-on, or side-swipe collision with a semi-truck may qualify to seek damages from the person or business that caused or contributed to their injuries. For example, a mechanic servicing the engine may have forgotten to complete key safety checks before giving the driver the go-ahead to return to the road. Alternatively, the at-fault motorist may have intentionally overloaded their vehicle to try to maximize their earnings without having to make extra trips.
Those in the shipping industry need to carry special licenses to operate them legally because they drive such immense and dangerous vehicles. If they do not have the proper permissions or training to use the semi they are in, they or their employer may be held accountable for the resulting damage caused to others. Likewise, if the company does not take it in for proper maintenance checks, it may be to blame if an unexpected tire blowout results in a multi-car collision on a busy highway.
A semi crash attorney in Lake County could assist by requesting and thoroughly reviewing key evidence needed to determine why the crash occurred. For example, our law firm could request the data recorder readouts to determine what happened before and during the incident.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Crash Involving a Commercial Vehicle?
Because Florida is a no-fault insurance state, Florida Statutes § 627.736 requires most motorists to carry a specific auto policy—called personal injury protection—that covers a specific amount of losses. An injured person may receive compensation regardless of who is to blame for the incident, up to the named policy limits. A financial settlement someone receives from their insurer might include money to cover a set percentage of their medical bills and lost wages.
Fla. Stat. § 627.737 restricts the right of an injured person to sue the at-fault business or individual for damages in excess of the personal injury protection limits. That said, a person may qualify to bypass this limitation if they can show they experienced permanent or severe harm. If they are successful, they may be able to access noneconomic damages like pain and suffering and inconvenience.
Because commercial automobiles are so large and tend to inflict extensive harm on those they collide with, a person in Lake County—with the help of their attorney—may be eligible to seek a wider range of financial compensation. In the aftermath of a debilitating crash, it is essential for those who are injured to receive full and fair restitution for what they have and are expected to continue to go through as a result.
Call an Attorney to Get Legal Help After a Semi Collision in Lake County
When truckers make serious errors, like forgetting to secure their cargo or take rest breaks, they endanger themselves and everyone around them. When you are hurt in a wreck involving a trucker, you may be entitled to seek a settlement by filing an insurance claim or bringing a lawsuit against those responsible. Instead of tackling this challenge by yourself, consider the potential advantages of partnering with a legal team you can trust.
Our firm provides personalized and decisive help to those who are hurt because a driver, delivery company, mechanic, or manufacturer made a mistake. Reach out to our office today to schedule a no-obligation consultation with a Lake County truck accident lawyer to learn more about your options.