MIAMI TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
As a Miami truck accident attorney, one of the most common questions is about the causes. Contrary to popular belief, most fatal truck accidents are caused by drivers who are intoxicated by substances or drugs. Mechanical defects in vehicles, inattention while driving, and driver fatigue have been found to top the long list of common causes of truck accidents. Mechanical defects are the leading cause of truck accidents, commonly found in brakes, steering wheels, and tires. For these reasons, trucking companies are strongly advised to comply with federal regulations to ensure their trucks are in good condition. Although there are some accidents caused by trucks following new routes, this is something every commercial truck driver should be aware of. As they are the most vulnerable to these types of accidents, federal safety regulations state that truck drivers can only drive for 11 hours, but this is only the threshold. They are strongly recommended to stop for at least 10 hours. Let’s face it, unlike small-engine or even semi-trailer truck drivers, large truck drivers are actually susceptible to fatigue, as they drive large vehicles that require more physical and mental attention. That’s why the trucking industry has established regulations to ensure truck drivers actually comply with proper hours of service to ensure driver health and prevent, if not limit, truck accidents or any related casualties.
Miami Truck Accident Attorney: Difference Between Truck Accidents and Car Accidents
The first observable difference between passenger vehicle accidents and truck accidents is strongly associated with the difference in weight. A truck typically weighs around 80-90 pounds more than its passenger vehicle counterparts. Due to their weight, most truck accidents tend to cause more damage to their victims, making a truck accident injury case more stressful than their counterparts. Another vital difference is that a truck crash that leads to an accident insurance policy tends to be 40-50 times larger than its car accident insurance policy counterpart. This tends to put the compensation value in the millions. For some, this may sound like good news, as it can help cover the medical expenses of truck accident victims. However, this is a very different story for the insurance company, as when the policyholder claims their insurance coverage, this means a huge loss for the insurance company. Insurance adjusters tend to secure large amounts of supposedly fair compensation by using tricks, such as offering an attractive settlement amount that tends to make the policyholder forget to consider, “Is this the maximum compensation I can claim for this particular policy?” and other elaborate tricks to mitigate or point the finger at other responsible parties involved and limit the insurance companies’ liability. Hiring an experienced Miami truck accident attorney could prove helpful in this matter. A team of experienced attorneys can help you maximize your need for financial compensation for the damages caused by this particular truck accident.
STEPS TO DETERMINE COMPENSATION AFTER A TRUCK ACCIDENT IN MIAMI, FLORIDA
There are many factors to consider when determining the appropriate compensation for a particular truck accident involving a person and their vehicle. But one thing to keep in mind is that the types of personal injury claims related to truck accidents and other motor vehicle accidents are almost identical. Similar to other types of personal injury claims, the main categories of these claims and the personal injury claims they may be subject to can be classified into two important categories. These two classifications are economic and non-economic damages, as well as punitive damages. Identifying these will help you file the appropriate truck accident claims, as well as the necessary documents to support the claim. Having someone assist and guide you in this area is truly helpful. Experienced attorneys, particularly truck accident attorneys, are greatly needed here, as their legal services can greatly help strengthen your case. You may be wondering how important the legal services a legal team can provide are at this point in your claims process. Well, one thing to consider and look for is their extensive experience handling truck accident cases. Keep in mind that an experienced attorney can help you with the arduous task of gathering case-related information and other actions necessary to strengthen your claim.
MIAMI TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEY: WHAT TO DO NEXT?
To say that a truck accident scenario is utter chaos might be an understatement. During this event of chaos and confusion brought on by the accident and the panic of those around us, truck drivers must be fully aware and focused on the things they need to do. Remember that during these crucial moments, the steps we choose to take are very important and, for some, will determine whether some of the accident victims will live or die if they do not receive immediate medical attention. Calling the police as soon as possible, as well as summoning the other necessary emergency workers to the scene, is important to mitigate any further damage caused by the accident. During this period, the police will record every important detail in the investigation, such as the severity of property damage in the area, the number of accident victims involved, interviews to identify the at-fault parties, and other things to paint a picture of what really happened in the particular accident, leaving no stone unturned. If your phone has enough battery and is still working, taking videos of the aftermath will be very useful in insurance claims, police reports, and other areas that may require them.
ESTABLISHMENT OF NEGLIGENCE AFTER A TRUCK ACCIDENT IN MIAMI, FLORIDA
Now that the police are there and the responsible parties have been identified, documented, and are receiving information, what next? Well, just because you’ve proven you’re not at fault in the situation doesn’t automatically mean you’re entitled to any kind of fair compensation. Please keep in mind the term I used, “fair.” I used the word “fair” because people may offer you a large amount of money, but remember that your goal is to achieve a fair settlement. If you or a family member were involved in a commercial truck accident, one way to achieve this is through legal means. Your goal is to establish that the other party was negligent and caused the accident. To achieve this, one should seek the legal services of an experienced Miami truck accident attorney. If you are a commercial vehicle that has suffered a rollover accident, your attorney can document and present the data legally. Whether we need to determine whether the driver during the incident was driving under the influence of alcohol or was driving recklessly at the time, which could have caused fatal accidents, or whether he was overly tired or preoccupied and became distracted while driving, disregarding blind spots, resulting in wrongful deaths.
Benefits of Seeking Help from a Truck Accident Attorney in Miami, Florida
Now the question is, “Is it worth it to involve a law firm in this type of situation?” or “Is there any benefit to seeking the legal services of personal injury attorneys during this matter?” Well, something to keep in mind is that if you are a party to the accident, there are several things to consider. One very notable one is that you may have sustained a serious injury due to the recent motor vehicle accident and may find yourself in the hospital receiving the proper and necessary medical care. During this grueling recovery period, one thing you don’t want to do is deal with the lawsuit in this particular accident. Aside from the fact that someone else will represent you and pursue the lawsuit, some of the other benefits of seeking the legal services of a Miami truck accident attorney are that they will investigate your case, making sure to identify two key details that are vital to the legal process. They will determine cause and liability. A Miami truck accident attorney will also, if you are found to be at fault, mitigate, reduce, or limit your liability in the accident. Protecting and pursuing insurance companies to ensure you get the financial compensation necessary to cover your recovery and other expenses is something your Miami truck accident lawyer will also ensure, and much more. There are truly many benefits to hiring a truck accident lawyer, as their legal services can help you with the legal aspect while you recover and return to the life you had before.