It comes as no surprise that the largest vehicles on West Palm Beach roads also cause the most severe crashes. When the drivers or owners of these massive trucks don’t follow state and federal laws, they can cause accidents that have disastrous results.
Unlike car crashes, trucking accidents may involve multiple parties. Having a trusted and experienced attorney on your side is a must if you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Trucking Accident
Although it might seem unnatural, keeping calm and remembering what to do following a trucking crash can make or break your case. If you or a loved one has been involved in a trucking accident, make sure you follow these steps.:
Prioritize Safety and Call 911 – If anyone is injured—or if there is significant damage—contact emergency services right away. Florida law requires drivers to report crashes involving injuries, deaths, or apparent damages over $500.
Seek Medical Attention – In Florida, seeking medical care is a must if you want to receive the most money possible for your injuries. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits require that you receive medical treatment within 14 days of the accident.
Even if you feel fine after the crash, specific injuries may show up after the adrenaline wears off. Symptoms for injuries such as internal bleeding, concussions, or soft-tissue damage can take time to set in. If you wait too long to get medical treatment, insurance companies might argue that you aren’t hurt as severely as you claim.
Document the Scene – If it is safe to do so, take photos of the vehicles, roadway, and any visible injuries. It’s important to exchange contact and insurance information. Get the names of witnesses and note the time, weather conditions, and anything else that may have caused the accident.
No detail is too small. Failing to document the scene gives the at-fault driver a chance to deny responsibility – and win.
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company – Florida is a no-fault insurance state, which means your own PIP coverage pays for a portion of your medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident. While it’s OK to give the insurance company basic details of the crash, be sure not to provide lengthy statements until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
When Should You Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer?
Truck accident victims often feel overwhelmed—managing medical treatment, dealing with insurance adjusters, and trying to make sense of Florida’s no-fault system. Contacting an expert with Weisser Law as soon as possible is the best way to protect yourself after a crash.
Insurance companies aren’t interested in offering you what your injuries are truly worth. Adjusters move fast and are trained to get you to say things that hurt your case. The longer you wait to contact a lawyer, the more evidence disappears — and the more power the insurance company gains over you.
Contact Weisser Law right away if:
- You suffered significant or permanent injuries, especially to the brain or spine
- A loved one died in the crash
- Your medical bills are more than PIP coverage
- The insurance company is pressuring you to settle quickly
- The police report is unclear or the other driver blames you
Why Early Legal Guidance Matters
Lawsuits involving trucking cases are complex and may involve multiple parties at fault. Hiring an attorney who knows the ins and outs of the various state and federal laws surrounding trucking accidents is the only way to maximize the value of your case.
Depending on the facts of the case, responsibility for the crash may fall on the trucking company, a cargo loader, a vehicle maintenance contractor, a truck manufacturer, a third-party logistics company, or a combination of any of those parties.
The sooner the professionals at Weisser Law are on your case, the faster we can begin gathering information on who is at fault. We will obtain critical records, preserve crash evidence, and identify all of the federal and Florida trucking regulation violations that can make or break your claim.
We’re committed to exploring every angle of the crash by working with accident reconstruction and medical experts to document the full impact of your injuries. Our team will thoroughly review the black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, and other relevant records to determine what went wrong and why.
Weisser Law has settled cases for multiple types of trucking accidents, including those involving:
- Semi-trucks/18-wheelers
- Delivery trucks
- Garbage/Sanitation trucks
- Tow trucks
- Dump trucks
Because trucking accidents often have larger settlement values, insurance companies and their aggressive defense teams may try to pressure you into a settlement for far less than your claim is worth. With Weisser Law representing you, we’ll communicate directly with the insurance companies, protecting you from tactics designed to minimize or deny your claim.
Understanding Florida’s No-Fault System
Florida’s no-fault rules often cause confusion and are designed to limit lawsuits – not help you. Without an attorney, most victims don’t even realize they could receive much more than what PIP pays.
- Your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance typically covers up to $10,000 in medical bills and lost wages.
- To sue the at-fault driver, your injuries must meet Florida’s “serious injury” threshold, which may include life-long injuries, scars, and long-term problems.
- If your injuries are severe enough, you can seek more money than what PIP pays.
This is where hiring a lawyer becomes essential. Insurance companies are focused on protecting their profits and will weaponize the system against you. Weisser Law fights for your health, your recovery, and your future.
Potential Settlement Value in Florida
Because each case is unique, there is no standard settlement for trucking accident cases. However, because trucking accidents often involve serious injuries, the values are typically much higher than in standard auto accidents.
Because settlements can be higher, insurance companies move quickly to secure an unfair settlement before a victim. But remember, once you agree to settle, you can never go back, even if your injury worsens. By accepting the first offer, you may end up costing yourself hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Weisser Law understands the complex law surrounding trucking crashes and will provide you with an accurate estimate of your case value. The value is determined by the factors in your accident and their real worth.
This depends on factors such as:
- Seriousness and the lasting effects of your injuries
- Amount of medical bills and cost of future medical needs
- Lost wages and lost earning ability
- The number of liable parties
- Insurance coverage limits
- Pain and suffering
- Impact on quality of life
- Whether the at-fault driver acted recklessly (speeding, driving under the influence, distracted driving)
- Whether you are partially at fault for the crash
Florida’s Statute of Limitations
There are strict deadlines for filing a trucking accident lawsuit in Florida. Missing the deadline by one day will cost you your right to compensation.
Contacting a lawyer is the best way to determine if you have a case and get started before the deadline.
In Florida, truck accident victims can file a lawsuit within:
- Two years from the date of the accident for personal injury claims
- Two years for wrongful death claims
Speak with Weisser Law today
Trucking accident lawsuits require an attorney with a deep understanding of the complex way they’re handled. Our skilled attorneys can guide you through your next steps, answer your questions, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.