Truck Accident Lawyer

Florida Truck Accident Lawyers

At Kennon Law, we understand the devastating impact that trucking accidents can have on you and your passengers. And though no legal action will undo the trauma that you’ve experienced, pursuing compensation with the help of our trucking accident lawyers can provide a path to reduce the financial burden you are facing. We will work to obtain fair compensation for your pain and suffering, as well as your medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.

What Is a Truck Accident?

A truck accident typically refers to a motor vehicle crash between a commercial truck (i.e., a semitruck or box truck) and another vehicle. Truck accidents are particularly dangerous due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved.

Claims involving trucking accidents tend to be more complex than traditional car accidents, as well, in large part due to the number of parties involved. In the event of a car accident between two passenger vehicles, the only parties involved are the occupants of both cars and their insurance companies. The claim will be handled by way of state and local regulations.

On the other hand, a truck accident may involve any of the following parties:

The car owner and their passengers
The truck driver
The truck driver’s employer
The truck manufacturer
The company that loaded the cargo
The car driver’s insurance company
The trucker’s insurance company

Additionally, federal regulations such as those established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) apply following a truck accident, and they often play a role in establishing the liable parties in your claim.

Though all of these details may sound overwhelming, you can rest assured knowing that following any truck accidents, claims lawyers from Kennon Law can help navigate the additional complexities.

Why Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?

One of the key roles that truck accident attorneys serve involves identifying and holding all liable parties accountable so their clients can seek compensation.

Once your truck accident lawyer has determined who played a role in your crash, they will work to prove negligence and build a strong case for compensation on your behalf, taking the following variables into account:

The driving record of the truck driver
The history of the trucking company
Your medical expenses
Your emotional distress
The severity of your injuries
The role of driver error or fatigue in causing the crash
Equipment failure

At Kennon Law, each of our truck accident attorneys has the negotiation skills and experience necessary to assist with your case. We have litigated numerous truck crash cases and helped clients obtain fair compensation for their injuries.

If you’d like to learn more about how our trucking accident lawyers can help, schedule a free consultation with us. We are committed to helping truck accident victims like you pursue justice.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

A truck crash can be linked to one or more of the following causes:

Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers who exceed their allotted hours may have impaired reaction times and decision-making abilities
Distracted Driving: Engaging in activities such as mobile phone usage or eating can take a truck driver’s attention off the road and lead to a crash
Speeding: The injuries inflicted in a crash involving a speeding truck can be catastrophic
Inadequate Maintenance: Poor maintenance (i.e., failing to replace brakes) can lead to severe injuries
Improperly Loaded Cargo: If a trucking company overloads a truck, it can result in a truck accident
Equipment Failure: Mechanical issues like tire blowouts can lead to a loss of control
Employer Negligence: Trucking companies are responsible for vetting truck drivers and hiring individuals with safe driving records
Road Conditions: Icy surfaces and obstacles like potholes can also lead to a loss of driver control
Insufficient Training: A truck driver who has not learned the intricacies of their vehicle can quickly cause an accident

No matter the cause, your truck accidents claims lawyer will get to the bottom of your case, identifying all responsible parties and holding those negligent entities accountable for the harm they caused.

Types of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents, in and of themselves, can take many forms, including the following:

Rear-End Collision: Commercial trucks may have a hard time stopping when overloaded, which can cause them to collide with the back of another vehicle
Jackknife: The trailer of a large truck swings out, forming a sharp angle with the cab and blocking multiple lanes, potentially leading to a multi-vehicle crash
Rollover: Large trucks can roll over onto their side or roof
Underride Accidents: A smaller vehicle slides beneath a semitruck, dump truck, or any other commercial truck that is high off the ground
Blind Spot Collisions: A truck collides with a vehicle situated in an area that its driver cannot see
Tire Blowouts: A sudden tire failure can cause a driver to lose control or strike nearby vehicles and cause serious injuries
Wide Turn Crashes: If a truck driver fails to signal a turn or misjudges the maneuver, they can cause an accident
T-Bone or Side-Impact Collisions: The front of a truck strikes the side of another vehicle, often in an intersection

Of course, any one of these kinds of truck accidents can lead to serious personal injury. Some injuries associated with truck crashes include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), broken bones, lacerations, internal bleeding, and severe bruising. If you have suffered a personal injury after being in a crash with a large truck, speak to a truck accident lawyer at Kennon Law as soon as possible.

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What Compensation Is Available?

As a victim in a truck accident case, you may be entitled to various forms of compensation. Some of the damages experienced truck accident lawyers may pursue in your case are as follows:

Medical Expenses: Addressing your injuries following a truck accident can result in tens of thousands in medical bills; your attorney should pursue compensation for all of your medical care
Lost Income: Truck accident lawyers can pursue compensation for the income you lose due to your inability to work during recovery
Pain and Suffering: The emotional distress and physical pain you suffer as a result of your truck accident
Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your property, including your vehicle
Wrongful Death or Loss of Consortium: If your loved one died in a truck accident, you may be able to pursue compensation for their death and your loss of companionship

The exact compensation value you will receive following your truck accident case can vary drastically depending on several different factors. Chief among these is the severity of your injuries. Still, the level of negligence involved in the crash can also greatly impact your ability to recover damages and the value thereof.

With that in mind, you can trust that an experienced truck accidents claims lawyer from Kennon Law will negotiate with truck companies and insurance companies on your behalf to ensure you obtain the maximum compensation possible. Ultimately, our goal is to make sure you have the resources you need to recover from your truck accident and move on with your life.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

A collision with a truck is an emotionally and physically overwhelming event. Be that as it may, it’s vital that you act fast to address the safety of you and your loved ones following such an incident.

After you have gotten everyone to a safe place, dial 911 to report the wreck. Even if your injuries don’t seem severe, it is always in your best interests to seek medical attention at your local hospital or emergency department. A healthcare professional can document the extent of your injuries and provide vital treatment.

As you wait for emergency medical personnel to arrive, do your best to document the scene of the accident. If possible, take photographs of the resulting vehicle damage, as well as the conditions of the road at the time of your crash. Documenting the accident scene and gathering witness information can provide valuable evidence to support your truck accident lawsuit.

However, you must exercise caution regarding what you say to others at the scene. You don’t want to admit fault to the responding police officer or the other party. Truck companies will use anything you say to reduce their liability and counter your claims.

Once you’ve addressed your immediate medical needs and gathered the most important details, report the crash to your insurance company. Provide factual information and the police report number if you have one.

It’s crucial, though, that you do not engage with insurance companies after you make your initial report. Trucking companies and their insurers may try to talk you into signing a settlement agreement quite quickly, but they are not looking out for your best interests; they are trying to save money.

Speak to a truck accident law firm to obtain advice on what to do next, and let your attorney negotiate with the insurers and other parties. The experienced trucking accident lawyers from Kennon Law will protect your rights and help you obtain a fair settlement.

Proving Negligence in Truck Accident Lawsuits

Truck accident attorneys are tasked with proving that the driver and their company were negligent in some way. The first step in the process involves establishing that the driver had a duty to operate their vehicle safely. Fortunately, establishing a duty of care is relatively simple due to the strict regulations of the trucking industry.

From there, your lawyer will need to demonstrate how the driver breached that duty. For example, working past hourly driving limits and operating a commercial truck while fatigued are both breaches of a truck driver’s duty.

Next, your truck accident lawyer will need to show how that breach caused the accident and your injuries. Finally, they will provide evidence of the damages you suffered due to the other party’s negligent behavior.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?

According to Florida State Statute 95.11, you have up to four years to file a lawsuit for a personal injury claim. However, it is still wise to file your claim as quickly as possible so that the truck accident law firm you work with can find witnesses and preserve important evidence.

If you’ve been involved in an accident with a large commercial truck, consult with an experienced trucking accidents claims lawyer right away. They can initiate the legal process and pursue compensation on your behalf.

How to Choose the Best Truck Accident Attorney

Selecting the right personal injury lawyers to handle your truck collision case can make a huge difference. The truck accident attorneys at Kennon Law understand the laws surrounding these cases, and we have successfully represented numerous clients as they seek compensation from negligent parties.

We will not hesitate to take on insurance companies and those responsible for trucking accidents, using our negotiation skills and experience to fight for fair compensation on your behalf. Schedule a free consultation with our law firm, and let’s pursue justice together.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements?

Settlement amounts in cases involving trucking accidents often vary depending on the severity of your harm and the level of negligence the other party exhibited. The strength of the evidence you are able to gather will play a key role in the outcome of your case as well.

Settlements for relatively minor incidents that involved little negligence or carelessness may end up at a value of a few thousand dollars. On the other hand, major truck accident cases involving gross negligence may lead to multi-million dollar settlements.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Truck Accident Claim?

Truck accidents can be settled in as little as a few weeks or as long as several years. The timeline to settle generally depends on how willing both parties are to negotiate, as well as the strength of the evidence presented. If the truck driver (or their employer) was unquestionably negligent, they may be more open to settling the matter outside of court.

When you work with Kennon Law, we will fight to resolve your case as quickly as possible. Still, we will not settle for an unfair deal. If the other party is clearly unwilling to negotiate in good faith, we will take your case to trial and seek a verdict in your favor.

Testimonials

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Hans is a straight shooter. I can't thank him enough for the time and effort he put into working with me.

Robert Gilliam

Hans Kennon is the best example of a professional attorney. He will always have that extra minute to return your call and pay attention to all your concerns. He is highly recommended as your future attorney!

Nikki Rothschild

John did an excellent job for us. Always followed up,was easy to talk to, and got us a settlement that was bigger than expected even after we were told we weren't getting any. Great job would use again.

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My experience with the Kennon Law has been exceptional. I have had previous experiences with other law firms that say they are for the people however they end up being for themselves. I was referred to the Kennon Law by a friend. My experience with this outstanding firm is they treat you like you're their only client. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience. I highly recommend you consider using this law group over any other.

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Exceptional Legal Services I had the pleasure of working with Kennon Law LLC, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Their team of attorneys is not only highly skilled and knowledgeable but also genuinely committed to achieving the best outcomes for their clients. From the very first consultation, they demonstrated professionalism, transparency, and a deep understanding of the legal complexities involved in my case. What sets Kennon Law LLC apart is their attention to detail and ability to communicate complex legal concepts in a way that's easy to understand. They kept me informed every step of the way, promptly answered all my questions, and provided thoughtful guidance throughout the process. Their dedication to my case and their tenacity in seeking justice were truly remarkable. The results they delivered exceeded my expectations, and I felt supported and confident in their abilities every step of the way. If you're looking for a law firm that combines expertise with compassion and client-focused service, Kennon Law LLC is the one to choose. They set a standard of excellence that is hard to match. Thank you for your outstanding work!

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