Truck accidents are devastating events that frequently result in serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and a feeling of sheer uncertainty. A top truck accident attorney to help you get in control of your life again. Kevin L. Sullivan II uses his deep understanding of Florida’s laws and commitment to client care to ensure every victim has an opportunity to receive the compensation they deserve.
Truck accidents are not like ordinary car accidents because they involve large commercial vehicles, complicated liability issues, and substantial damages. Kevin L. Sullivan II has years of experience working through such cases.
When you hire Kevin as your truck accident attorney, you’re hiring an attorney who is results-driven and takes care of you.
There are a lot of reasons that truck accidents occur. However, some of the most common reasons can come from:
Driving time allowed under federal regulations is 11 hours, spread out over a 14-hour workday. But drivers and trucking companies regularly break those rules to make tight deadlines, which increases the likelihood of fatigue-related crashes.
A commercial truck driver may eat, text, or even have his or her GPS dividing their attention, with devastating consequences. Distracted driving accounts for nearly 71 percent of truck accidents across the country.
Frequent causes of truck crashes include brake failures, tire blowouts, and mechanical defects. Trucking firms are charged with keeping their vehicles in working order, but they often skimp.
Trucks carrying improperly loaded or excessive cargo are more likely to tip over, jackknife, or skid, especially at high speeds.
The rules governing the use of substances are tight for commercial drivers, yet the problem persists. Florida leads the nation for reported drug and alcohol violations by truck drivers.
Determining fault in a truck accident is not simple. Multiple parties could be held responsible, including:
– The Truck Driver: Negligence, including factors like speeding, distracted driving, or impaired driving
– The Trucking Company: Failing to vet drivers properly, inadequate training, or overly aggressive schedules, promoting risky driving.
– Maintenance Providers: Improperly inspecting or repairing the vehicle.
– Manufacturers: Defective brakes, tires, or other components that helped cause the crash.
Kevin will examine every detail of your case to find all parties responsible for your injuries and hold them accountable.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:
These cover tangible losses such as:
– Medical bills, including ongoing treatment and therapy.
– Lost wages and reduced earning capacity.
– Vehicle repair or replacement costs.
These address intangible losses like:
– Pain and suffering.
– Emotional distress.
– Loss of enjoyment of life.
If the party responsible for the accident acted particularly recklessly, you may receive punitive damages as well to punish their conduct.
Florida enables victims to seek substantial compensation, but time is of the essence.
Florida follows a comparative negligence model, as do many other states. Whether you can recover damages or not depends on if you’re found to be more than 51% responsible for the accident. You, however, would have your damages reduced by your share of fault.
So, for example, if your damages are $1 million and you were found to be 20 percent at fault, your award would drop to $800,000.
Insurance companies often want to assign blame to victims. That is why you want to have an experienced truck accident attorney like Kevin L. Sullivan II on your side to protect your rights and make sure you are justly compensated.
Kevin and his team will gather critical evidence such as:
– Black box data from the truck.
– Driver logs and maintenance records.
– Witness statements and accident reconstruction reports.
Medical and economic experts can help establish the full extent of your injuries and their impact on your life.
Kevin will take care of all necessary communication with insurance companies so you don’t get taken advantage of. He is prepared to bring your case to court if a fair settlement isn’t offered.
The statute of limitations for a personal injury claim in Florida from the date of the accident is two years. While that sounds like plenty of time, it’s important to get the process started early to ensure evidence can be preserved and a strong case built.
Following the proper steps after a truck accident can help you protect your health and protect your case:
– Get medical help right away.
-Do not admit fault or apologize.
– Collect contact information from witnesses.
– Avoid signing documents or accepting settlements without consulting an attorney.
– Contact Kevin L. Sullivan II as soon as possible.
Kevin prides himself on providing personalized service to each client. He grew up in Tampa, Florida, and has spent his career assisting accident victims throughout the state. Proven experience, empathy, and strong community connections make him the best advocate for your truck accident case.
Contact Kevin at (813) 598-4868 for your free consultation today!
