Truck accidents are often some of the most devastating motor vehicle collisions on the road. The size and weight of the average commercial truck can result in catastrophic injuries and even death for those involved. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, it is essential to seek the guidance of an experienced truck accident attorney in St. Petersburg. The lawyers at Bailey & Glasser, LLP can help you understand your legal rights and pursue just compensation for your truck accident.
Why Clients Choose Us
- We understand what is at stake in a truck accident claim. Our attorneys will work relentlessly to achieve the best results possible for your case, even if that means going to trial.
- Our lawyers have gone up against powerful defendants, including trucking corporations, and won. We have collected over $2 billion in settlements and verdicts for past clients.
- Our truck accident attorneys take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you will only pay attorney’s fees if your case results in financial compensation for your losses.
Truck Accidents Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries
Truck accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to catastrophic injuries that can have long-lasting or permanent effects. The elements of an 18-wheeler accident often mean life-threatening injuries for those in the smaller car. At Bailey & Glasser, LLP, our attorneys can navigate any type of injury claim.
Common types of injuries in truck accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Burn injuries
- Severe lacerations
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Amputations
- Crush injuries
- Decapitation from underride accidents
- Emotional trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder
- Wrongful death
Recovering from your injuries after a commercial truck accident can be a long and painful process. It is likely that you are facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses while also dealing with the physical and emotional effects of the crash. Filing a personal injury claim for a truck accident can help you recover financial compensation for all of these losses and more.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are often preventable. They tend to occur when someone is negligent, such as a careless truck driver or an irresponsible trucking company.
Truck accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Driver error, such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Negligent company practices, such as hiring truck drivers with a history of traffic violations.
- Violations of federal trucking regulations, such as hours-of-service rules.
- Improper truck maintenance, such as failing to repair brakes or replace worn tires.
- Overloaded or improperly balanced cargo, leading to truck rollovers or lost cargo loads.
No matter what caused your truck accident, our attorneys have the knowledge and experience necessary to build a strong case against the at-fault party or parties.
Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident?
Florida abides by a no-fault rule for most motor vehicle accident cases. Under this insurance law, drivers will seek compensation from their own insurance providers, regardless of who is at fault. Truck accidents, however, often cause serious enough injuries to meet Florida’s tort exemption threshold. Florida Statutes Section 627.737 states that if an injury causes permanent or significant loss of an important bodily function, disability, scarring, disfigurement, or death, a crash victim can bring a claim against the at-fault party.
If given the right to sue after a truck accident, you may be able to name the following parties as defendants in your case:
- The truck driver
- The truck owner/operator
- The trucking company
- A cargo company
- A maintenance crew
- A truck manufacturer
- A third-party driver
- The government
Trucking companies are named as defendants in many truck accident cases. Trucking companies can be held directly responsible for accidents due to negligence such as hiring incompetent drivers, failing to train new drivers, violating federal safety regulations, or failing to maintain their fleet vehicles. They can also be held vicariously liable for their truck drivers, in most cases. An attorney can help you identify the correct defendant(s) in your truck accident case.
Types of Evidence in a Truck Accident Case
After a truck accident, it is important to protect your rights by preserving any available evidence. Trucking companies will typically send rapid response teams to the scenes of truck accidents immediately to gather evidence. The evidence used in a truck accident claim is unique.
Our attorneys can preserve and collect evidence such as:
- The truck’s black box
- Electronic logging devices
- Trucking company employment records
- Truck driver medical and driving histories
- Truck maintenance and inspection reports
- The trucking company’s federal compliance history
- Previous accidents involving the truck or driver
- Cell phone records
- Photographs and video footage
- A copy of the police report
Evidence is necessary if you wish to prove a claim against another party. At Bailey & Glasser, LLP, we have connections to investigators and qualified experts who can help present compelling evidence. This includes accident reconstruction teams and medical experts.
Compensation Available for a Large Truck Accident
Filing a truck accident claim can help you in a variety of ways as an injured victim. You can seek justice by holding a negligent truck driver or trucking company accountable. Your claim may force a trucking company to improve its practices and promote greater safety in the industry in the future.
A successful claim could also result in financial compensation for a variety of related losses, such as:
- Necessary medical care
- Vehicle repairs or totaled car replacement
- Lost income and employment opportunities
- Pain and suffering
- Significant or permanent disability
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Inconvenience
- Lost quality or enjoyment of life
- Out-of-pocket costs and attorney’s fees
It is important to discuss the potential value of your case with a truck accident attorney before accepting a settlement from an insurance company. Insurance providers are known for protecting their bottom lines more than their clients. Before rushing to accept a fast settlement, talk to an attorney about the potential value of your claim. It may be significantly more than the settlement an insurance corporation is offering.
Contact Us Today
If a truck accident has impacted you or a family member, swift legal action is critical. In addition to truck accident representation, our firm’s expertise extends to cases concerning wrongful death, medical malpractice, and birth injury in St. Petersburg. Do not hesitate to reach out for comprehensive legal advice and support.
Contact Bailey & Glasser, LLP today to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. We are here to help you understand your legal rights and pursue fair financial compensation after a truck accident. Reach our St. Peersburg, Florida office by calling (727) 894-6745.