Truck Accident Attorney in Riverview: Free Consultation

23 Sep Truck Accident Attorney in Riverview: Free Consultation

When you’re injured in a truck accident, life can quickly become overwhelming. Trucking companies and insurers often push back, making it difficult to get the compensation you need to rebuild. Our Riverview truck accident attorney, Kevin L. Sullivan II, has the experience and expertise to stand up to these powerful entities and fight for what you deserve.

For a free consultation, call us at (813) 598-4868 or contact us today.

Why Choose Kevin L. Sullivan II After a Truck Accident?

For years, Kevin has been helping truck accident survivors and their families win against large trucking companies. He focuses on personal injury cases in Florida and is committed to getting you the maximum compensation during this challenging time.

If you hire Kevin, you’ll work with a team of dedicated professionals who combine their skills, experience, and resources to build the strongest case possible.

Our proven approach has helped us recover more than $2 billion for our clients. With extensive experience, we can assist those injured in truck accidents across Florida, from Ruskin to Tarpon Springs and beyond.

Call us today at (813) 598-4868 to put our experience to work for you.

Call us at (813) 598-4868

What Damages Can I Claim After a Truck Accident?

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Florida, you may be entitled to claim various types of damages, depending on the details of your case. These include:

– Economic Damages: These cover your financial losses, such as:

• Lost income
• Future loss of earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Property damage

– Non-Economic Damages: These address the non-financial impact of your injuries, such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental distress
• Loss of bodily function
• Disability

Florida law does not limit the amount you can claim for economic or non-economic damages. However, punitive damages—intended to punish the at-fault party for especially reckless behavior—are capped at $500,000 or three times the total of your economic and non-economic damages.

If you’ve lost a loved one in a truck accident, you also have the right to sue the trucking company. Compensation may cover the deceased’s pain and suffering, lost wages, final expenses, and non-tangible losses like loss of companionship, comfort, and support.

For guidance on your specific case, it’s important to consult with an experienced truck accident attorney.

What Factors Determine the Amount of Compensation I Receive?

Each truck accident case is unique, and the amount of compensation varies based on several key factors:

– Severity of Injuries: More serious injuries typically result in higher compensation, as they lead to greater medical costs, long-term care needs, and overall impact on your life.

– Liability: In truck accident cases, multiple parties (such as trucking companies, drivers, or manufacturers) may be liable. When large corporations are involved, higher insurance coverage is often available, which can increase the potential compensation.

– Earning Capacity: If your injuries affect your ability to work, the difference between your pre-accident and post-accident earning capacity can significantly impact the amount you can claim for lost wages.

– Medical Costs: The need for surgeries, ongoing rehabilitation, or assistive devices can lead to substantial medical expenses. If your injuries result in long-term or lifelong medical care, future medical costs will also be considered in determining compensation.

– Prognosis: If your injuries lead to chronic conditions or permanent disabilities, this will increase the value of your claim to account for long-term suffering and care.

These are just a few of the factors that influence compensation. During your free consultation, we will thoroughly evaluate your case and consider all relevant details to determine the best course of action for your claim.

Who Is Responsible for My Injuries in a Florida Truck Accident?

Establishing liability in a truck accident can be more complex than in a typical car accident. In truck accidents, several parties may share responsibility, including the trucking company, the driver, and others involved in the truck’s operation or maintenance. Some of the potentially liable parties include:

– Trucking Company: The company may be responsible for the driver’s actions, especially if the driver is an employee. Trucking companies must comply with federal and state safety regulations, and failure to do so can make them liable.

– Truck Driver: If the driver was negligent or violated traffic laws, they could be held accountable for the accident.

– Cargo Loaders: If the company or individual responsible for loading the cargo did so improperly, leading to the accident, they may be liable.

– Mechanics: A negligent mechanic who failed to properly maintain or repair the truck could be responsible for a mechanical failure that caused the crash.

– Truck Manufacturers: If a defective truck part contributed to the accident, the manufacturer of that part may be liable.

– Other Drivers: Another driver’s negligent actions could be the cause of the accident, making them responsible for your injuries.

– Government Agency: Poor road conditions, such as improper signage or failure to repair hazards, could make a government agency responsible for contributing to the accident.

Our experienced Florida truck accident attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to determine which parties may be at fault. This includes reviewing whether any laws were violated by the trucking company, driver, or other involved parties.

What If I’m Partly to Blame?

The insurance companies may try to blame you for an accident to save money. In Florida, if you’re found more than 50% at fault, the state’s comparative negligence laws will prevent you from receiving compensation.

However, if you’re less than 50% at fault, you can still claim compensation, but your award will be reduced by the percentage of your fault. For example, if you’re 20% at fault and your damages total $1 million, your compensation would be reduced by 20%, resulting in $800,000.

Never admit fault to the truck driver, the insurance company, or the trucking firm. Contact Kevin L. Sullivan II immediately if you’re being told the accident was your fault. Determining responsibility requires a thorough investigation.

Insurance companies might tell you that a police report proves fault, but this isn’t true. Even if you received a ticket, it doesn’t mean you’re at fault, and tickets or police reports are not admissible in court. We rely on solid evidence like forensic data and witness statements to demonstrate that you’re less than 51% responsible.

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Florida?

Under Florida’s Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims, you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. It’s important not to wait until the last minute to consult with an experienced Florida truck accident lawyer.

It is Important to Act Quickly After a Trucking Accident

Winning a lawsuit after a trucking accident requires going up against large insurance and trucking companies that have significant resources. To succeed, you need strong evidence, which is often easiest to collect immediately after the accident.

Getting an attorney involved early allows them to speak with witnesses while their memories are still fresh, review evidence right away, and subpoena records from the trucking companies before any important information is lost or withheld.

Before your case can be filed, your attorney will need time to review your medical records, consult expert witnesses, and analyze all the evidence. Missing the filing deadline means losing your right to seek compensation. Don’t let that happen. For a free case review, call us at (813) 598-4868 today.

What Happens When I Hire a Florida Truck Accident Attorney?

When you hire Kevin, he will thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident using experts like accident reconstructionists and forensic analysts to identify all responsible parties.

We will also work with medical professionals to assess the long-term impact of your injuries on your earning capacity, quality of life, and future medical expenses. Once we have a clear picture, we will calculate your damages and demand full compensation from those at fault.

If the responsible parties refuse to pay what you deserve, we are fully prepared to take your case to court.

How Long Will It Take to Settle My Truck Accident Case?

Settling a truck accident case can take anywhere from several months to a year. The timeline often depends on how much effort the trucking company puts into avoiding fair compensation. If your case goes to trial, it could take longer.

You can count on our Florida truck accident attorney’s experience and thorough preparation if your case needs to go to court. We have a strong track record in the courtroom. Call us today for a no-obligation consultation.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Florida

According to the Florida Department of Transportation, driver error is the leading cause of large truck accidents. Other common causes include poor road conditions and vehicle defects.

The most frequent fatal truck accidents are rear-end collisions, followed by head-on and pedestrian collisions. Rear-end collisions also account for the majority of accidents that result in disabling injuries. Many truck accidents occur during rainy or cloudy weather, or at night when visibility is reduced.

Driver Fatigue

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration allows truck drivers to drive up to 11 hours per day, with work shifts lasting as long as 14 hours. If a driver is within 150 miles of their home base, they may exceed the 11-hour limit, provided they return within 14 hours.

Despite these regulations, some companies set unrealistic schedules or poorly plan routes, pressuring drivers to go beyond the allowed hours. This often leads to driver fatigue, a significant factor in truck accidents.

Lack of Training and Experience

Driving a truck requires more skill and responsibility than driving smaller vehicles. Trucking companies are required to ensure that all new drivers have the necessary commercial driver’s license and the skills to navigate their assigned routes.

Unfamiliarity with the Roadway

Truck drivers unfamiliar with Florida’s roads need to be prepared for navigating unfamiliar terrain, especially in heavy traffic. Florida’s highways can be particularly confusing in large metro areas like Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa.

Distracted or Inattentive driving

Distracted driving contributes to up to 71% of large truck accidents. Distractions can be internal or external. Internal distractions include activities like texting, talking on a phone, eating, using a dispatch device, or adjusting the stereo while driving.

Distracted driving in Florida can lead to serious, high-speed collisions, such as head-on crashes or T-bone accidents. Even if a distracted driver notices a hazard, it may be too late to brake in time.

Drunk Driving

While commercial trucks are less likely to be involved in drunk driving accidents compared to cars, these incidents do still occur. In Florida, the legal blood alcohol limit for commercial vehicle drivers is 0.04%, lower than the limit for non-commercial drivers.

Between 2019 and 2022, Florida employers reported 9,951 drug- and alcohol-related violations, the third highest number of any state. Nationwide, truck drivers are more often impaired by drugs than alcohol. In 2022, 69,668 drivers failed drug tests, while 1,570 failed alcohol screenings.

Speeding

When trucks exceed the speed limit, they require more time to stop or slow down, increasing the risk of collisions with other vehicles. Trucks traveling at high speeds can be especially hard to control if they need to brake suddenly. Slamming on the brakes can lead to dangerous situations like rollovers or jackknife accidents.

Even if a truck driver is within the posted speed limit, driving too fast in certain conditions can still be hazardous. For example, cement mixers and semi-trucks, which are top-heavy, can tip over if driven too fast.

Improper Cargo

An overloaded semi-truck puts excessive pressure on its tires, which can cause blowouts and lead the driver to lose control, endangering others on the road. Overloaded trucks are also harder to handle, increasing the risk of jackknife and skid accidents.

In addition, if loads are not properly secured, trucks like dump trucks, logging vehicles, and other open-load vehicles can cause serious accidents by spilling cargo onto the roadway.

Mechanical Failures

Tire blowouts and brake failures are among the most common mechanical issues in trucks. When brakes fail, a truck can quickly gain speed, colliding with slower or stopped traffic, often leading to chain-reaction accidents. These types of accidents are often preventable.

Truck drivers are required to perform after-trip inspections, focusing on components prone to failure, such as brakes and tires. If trucking companies allow trucks with known safety issues to stay in service, they can be held responsible for any resulting injuries.

Common Injuries in Truck Accidents

A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds—about 20 times more than a typical car. Because of this massive weight difference, injuries from truck accidents are often severe. Some of the most common injuries we see include:

– Severe burns from explosions during accidents

– Head injuries, such as skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries

– Serious neck, back, and spinal cord injuries that can result in paralysis, bulging discs, or chronic pain

– Multiple fractures or crushed bones

– Internal bleeding and organ damage caused by broken bones or crushing injuries

What Should I Do After a Trucking Accident?

Your health should be your first priority after a trucking accident in Florida. Once you’ve addressed any medical needs, it’s important to focus on protecting your case. Here are steps you can take to safeguard both your health and your legal claim:

– Continue with your medical treatment to maximize your recovery and provide your attorney with proof of the severity of your injuries.

– Avoid apologizing or admitting fault for the accident.

– Collect and keep the contact details of any eyewitnesses or other involved parties.

– Do not sign any documents or accept a settlement offer from an insurance company without consulting a lawyer.

– Contact an experienced Florida truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Contact Us Now for a Free Consultation

When you hire Kevin L. Sullivan II – Florida truck accident attorney, you can focus solely on your medical care while we handle the rest. Our team will connect you with the best doctors, negotiate with insurance and trucking companies, and gather the evidence needed to support your claim. You won’t pay anything unless we win your case.

Your initial consultation is free. Call our Florida truck accident attorney today at (813) 598-4868 to get started.

Call us at (813) 598-4868

Contact Accident Attorney Kevin L. Sullivan II TODAY at (813) 598-4868 for a FREE no-obligation consultation. I look forward to assisting you with your claim!