Pensacola Truck Accident Lawyer

Pensacola Truck Accident Attorney

A Pensacola truck accident lawyer could be the right resource for you to use if you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident in Florida. Truck accidents can be major events and they can cause some very severe injuries to all parties involved. Accidents are often caused by mechanical failure or negligence and recklessness of another driver. For victims of truck accidents, an experienced lawyer can be an important and needed resource.

Common Reasons for Truck Accidents

Some of the most common reasons for large truck accidents on the road in Florida include:

• Driving distracted. If a driver is eating, drinking, on their phone, or otherwise distracted while operating their vehicle, this could place a significant risk on all other drivers on the road. Anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the road can be a dangerous threat.
• Truck maintenance. Truck companies are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of their trucks. This can include safety inspections and ensuring that their trucks are in line with all applicable regulations. Poor tires, electrical systems, and brakes could each contribute to a trucking accident on the road.
• Driving impaired or drowsy. It is not uncommon for truck drivers to spend long hours behind the wheel. After long hours of driving and not taking the proper rest breaks, drivers can develop slower reaction times due to their fatigue. This could lead to an accident.
• Reckless driving. Truck drivers can, at times, feel the need to make up for lost time, or they could be running behind schedule. In this situation, drivers may attempt to make up time by speeding, rolling stop signs, changing lanes without warning, aggressively tailgating, failing to yield, or running red lights. Recklessly ignoring traffic signs and rules can lead to some very serious consequences for everyone on the road.

What To Do After an Accident?

If you have been involved in a truck accident in Pensacola, Florida, it is important that you remain calm and follow these instructions.

• Remain at the scene until the police arrive. Immediately after the accident, you should call 911 if you are able to. You should remain at the scene and ensure that the police fill out a police report documenting the accident. This police report could prove to be a key piece of evidence in your case.
• Get medical attention. One of the most important things to remember is to get the necessary medical attention you need. Even if you feel fine initially, it’s important to get checked out by a medical professional. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may need to go to the hospital or get in an ambulance.
  It is not uncommon for accident victims to feel fine immediately after an accident, only to start experiencing symptoms days later. It’s important that you catch these injuries early to ensure they are covered by your settlement.
• Take pictures and documentation of what happened. If you are able to, you should take pictures and videos of the scene. This can be useful in your case. Having photo evidence of the aftermath of the scene before cars are towed away can help convey the severity of the damages.
• Exchange contact information with all parties. If you are able to, you should exchange contact information with the responsible driver and any witnesses who were present on the scene. These witnesses may be contacted at a later date and asked to give their recollections of what happened.
• Do not speak to an insurance company. After the accident, you will likely be contacted by an insurance adjuster or insurance representative.
  Whether it is from your own insurance company or the insurance company of the responsible driver, you should refrain from speaking with any representative of an insurance company. Insurance agents are trained to find ways to pay as little as possible, and they may try to get you to admit fault and hold it against you in court.
• Speak with an attorney. Finally, you should contact an attorney who can help you. You are safe to speak with accident attorneys about all the details of the incident without fear of reprieve. An attorney can help walk you through the necessary legal steps, file a claim, and seek the financial compensation you deserve, even if it involves long-term disability.

Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations for auto accidents in the state of Florida is four years. This four-year period starts from the date the injury occurred. This means that if you fail to file a personal injury claim within this four-year period, you could lose your right to pursue financial compensation for your injuries. However, there are a few notable exceptions to this four-year statute of limitations.

• The claimant dies.
• The claimant is under 18 years old. In this situation, the time period does not start until the claimant turns 18 years old.
• The claimant is mentally incapacitated.
• The defendant leaves the state.
• The defendant is a government entity. If a government entity or government workers were involved in the accident, then it could be possible that the statute of limitations could be shortened. The time period could be shortened to as little as six months. It’s important that you engage an attorney as soon as possible if you are in a circumstance like this.

FAQs

How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements?

Truck accident settlements can range anywhere from a couple of thousand dollars to multimillion-dollar settlements. There is no minimum or maximum limit on the settlement payout for a truck accident.

The settlement amount will depend on a variety of different factors. Some of these factors can include the severity of the injuries, the damages to the vehicles, the degree of fault, negligence, or recklessness of the truck driver, and the level of legal representation. Experienced truck accident lawyers can help you maximize your total settlement amount in your case.

What Is the 14-Day Accident Law in Florida?

The 14-day accident law in Florida mandates that individuals who are injured in an auto accident seek the necessary medical attention within 14 days of the incident. This 14-day period helps keep individuals eligible for personal injury protection benefits from their respective insurance companies.

The mandate also helps to influence injured individuals to get the required medical attention they need. Even if you feel fine, you should get checked out by a medical professional. There are some injuries that are not obvious at first but appear days later.

Should I Get a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Florida?

Anytime you are involved in a car accident you should engage the help of a lawyer. Whether you are perceived to be at fault or a victim, an experienced lawyer can be very helpful in these types of situations. Personal injury cases are not always easy to handle, Florida law can require specific legal deadlines and documentation that only lawyers can assist with.

It is also important to remember not to speak with an insurance representative or adjuster before speaking with a lawyer.

Can I Sue the At-Fault Driver in Florida?

Yes, you can sue the at-fault driver in Florida. If you were injured in an auto accident due to the fault, negligence, or recklessness of another driver, you should contact an experienced lawyer who can help you pursue legal action against the responsible driver. You could seek financial compensation for your injuries, damages, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages.

Injured individuals deserve to have quality legal representation on their side during this difficult time. Speak with an attorney today.

Is It Difficult to Prove Negligence in a Truck Accident Case?

The difficulty in proving negligence can vary from case to case. Proving negligence in auto accident cases can be a complex undertaking, and it requires a thorough understanding of all the key elements of the incident. It can depend on the availability of evidence, the number of witnesses present at the scene, and the cooperation of all the parties involved.

A trusted attorney can investigate your case, collect evidence, interview witnesses, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.

A Truck Accident Attorney You Can Trust

Truck accident incidents are very dangerous events. They can lead to very serious injuries and long-term physical and emotional trauma for all parties involved. Florida is a comparative negligence state, meaning that each party could be held responsible for their percentage of fault. Other parties may try to assign blame to you. Having an experienced attorney on your side can help to ensure you receive the fair amount of compensation that you deserve.

At Phil Hall, P.A., our legal team is ready and able to assist individuals with their personal injury cases. We have ample experience in auto accident cases and we have helped individuals all across the state of Florida.

Our legal team employs the compassion, dedication, and determination needed to help you successfully resolve your case. With our support, you can rest assured that you are getting top-quality legal representation. Contact us at our office today for help.