Standing Up For Those Injured In Trucking Accidents
In 2012, although large trucks accounted for only 4% of all registered vehicles in the United States, large trucks accounted for 9% of the total vehicle miles traveled. In that same year, a staggering 333,000 large trucks were involved in traffic crashes with 77,000 of those resulting in injuries. Tragically, nearly 4,000 people were killed in those large truck crashes with the vast majority being the occupants of other, smaller vehicles.
The attorneys of Burnett Law, P.A., have handled thousands of motor vehicle accident claims, including trucking accidents. We can help you and your family get through this difficult time in your life with fair financial recovery.
Why Truck Collisions Are So Dangerous
Large trucks, as the name implies, are large, heavy vehicles weighing greater than 10,000 pounds. Needless to say, large trucks have the propensity to cause much greater damage and injury to others due to their sheer size and weight. This means that truck drivers have a very serious responsibility every time they get behind the wheel of their large trucks, semi-trucks, tractor-trailers and commercial trucks. Many truck drivers take this responsibility with the type of care that is deserved. However, there are still some truck drivers who, for whatever reason, do not, which puts innocent people at risk.
A disturbing trend in the last decade has been the increase in crashes due to distraction-related incidents such as texting, talking on cellular phones, or simply reaching for personal devices. Truckers have certainly not been immune to these distractions.
The Complexities Of Truck Crash Litigation
Trucking accident litigation can be complex, even if the cause of the trucking accident appears straightforward. There are often issues related to ownership of the truck versus ownership of the trailer. Similarly, the trucking company that employs the truck driver is not always the trucking company that owns the large truck. Additionally, there might be multiple owners at the corporate level who are liable for the trucking crash for various reasons, including negligent hiring or retention of truck drivers, improper licensing or certification of truck drivers, or patterns of negligence with respect to the truckloads carried or truck drivers employed.
The damages recoverable by the victims injured in trucking accident cases can sometimes be significant. In the unfortunate case of a death, Florida’s wrongful death statute could potentially allow for recovery for the estate, the spouse, children and potentially other family members. In these cases, future wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other economic and non-economic losses can be recovered.
The Damages For Victims Can Be Significant
In cases of serious bodily injury, the recoverable damages for those injured in a trucking crash can be equally or even more significant. Once again, economic losses such as lost wages can be recovered. In addition, medical expenses (past, current and future) can be recovered along with loss of earning capacity. Noneconomic losses such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of consortium can also be recovered. Finally, in cases of willful, malicious or intentional conduct on the part of those responsible for a trucking accident, punitive damages can be awarded as well.
Experienced Truck Accident Trial Lawyers
If you have been in an accident involving a large truck, semi-truck, tractor-trailer or any other commercial truck, or have lost a loved one in a trucking accident, please contact us for a free consultation at 813-221-5000. Our experienced trial attorneys will sit down with you to discuss your case and, if hired, treat your case with the kind of attention and care that it deserves.