Florida roadways are heavily traveled by commercial trucks, and trucking is an important part of the state’s economy. However, when a collision occurs between a passenger vehicle and a tractor-trailer, the effects can be devastating or even fatal. If a large commercial vehicle struck you or your loved one on a Florida roadway, a skilled Trinity truck accident lawyer could help you seek compensation for your injuries and medical bills. Reach out to a dedicated personal injury attorney today to discuss your legal options.
Trucking Company Hours of Service Requirements
Trucking companies are required to follow certain regulations that limit the hours a trucker can work without resting. These regulations exist to prevent fatigued drivers from getting behind the wheel and risking the safety of everyone on the road. Both the federal government and the state of Florida maintain hours of service rules that Trinity truckers must follow.
If a truck strikes another vehicle and injures someone, a Trinity truck accident attorney could investigate whether the trucking company violated its hours of service responsibilities. Many trucking companies today use electronic driving monitors that log hours behind the wheel by a computer, making it easy for investigators to determine driving behavior and trends over time. Other companies stick with paper driving logs, which are easier to forge and more complicated to examine for wrongdoing. An experienced tractor-trailer crash attorney in Trinity could analyze either type of truck driving records.
Trucking Company Responsibilities
Even when trucking companies do not intentionally violate drive-time limits, it is possible the company acted negligently in a different manner. In determining potential negligence by the trucking company, courts often look at whether the commercial trucking enterprise:
- Took care with its employment policies, including conducting background checks, looking at driving records, and requiring periodic drug and alcohol screenings
- Kept up with vehicle maintenance, inspections, and repairs
- Practiced safe loading policies to avoid over and under-loading trucks, since poor weight distribution can lead to rollovers and jackknife accidents
- Heeded industry guidelines and standards, even if these best practices are not required by law
A skilled trucking accident attorney in Trinity could examine the trucking company’s behavior and policies and decide whether the company may be liable for a portion of the victim’s damages.
Damages in a Truck Crash Case
Truck accident victims may be eligible for a wide range of economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include losses such as the cost of medical bills, lost wages, or rehabilitation expenses. Noneconomic damages are more difficult to quantify. They can include compensation for pain and suffering, emotional trauma, or loss of enjoyment in life. An experienced Trinity truck accident lawyer can analyze the specific circumstances of a victim’s accident and calculate a fair value for their damages.
Pure Comparative Negligence in Trinity
Florida law allows victims of trucking collisions to claim damages from the trucking company, even if the injured occupant’s own actions – like failing to wear their seatbelt – are also deemed negligent. While the victim’s recovery may be reduced by their percentage of fault, their claim is not automatically barred is it would be in some other states.
Consult an Experienced Trinity Truck Accident Attorney
However severely you were injured in a truck accident, a Trinity truck accident lawyer could be by your side as you seek justice. While no compensation can make up for what happened, holding the at-fault trucking company and driver accountable for their actions could be the first step on your road to recovery. Call an experienced attorney today to set up a consultation.