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If you are injured in a wreck with a truck, your best option is to discuss your case with a truck accident attorney in Fort Myers Beach from Viles & Beckman. They can help you analyze who is responsible for the harms you suffered, how much compensation you are owed, and how you should go about filing a lawsuit.
Who to Sue After a Truck Accident in Fort Myers Beach
There are several parties who may be responsible for the injuries you suffered due to your collision with a semi-truck. Of course, the most obvious person is the driver of the truck. They could be responsible for the event if they:
- Drove while fatigued
- Drove while drunk or intoxicated by drugs
- Disobeyed traffic laws
However, truck accidents can involve many more possible defendants than the average car accident. A Fort Myers Beach truck accident attorney can help you determine who all owes you money.
The Trucking Company
In some instances, the trucking company who owns the truck could be held liable for your damages. Truck companies are strictly regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, including rules on how often they must allow their drivers to take breaks, weight limits for trucks, and specifications the truck must meet in order to be legally operable.
If the trucking company failed to perform some of its duties, such as not maintaining the truck properly or imposing unreasonable deadlines that do not allow for drivers to get enough sleep, they could owe you compensation.
Truck and Truck Part Manufacturers
Similarly, the manufacturer of the truck and its parts can be held liable for your injuries if the wreck was caused by malfunctioning equipment. Faulty brakes, misfiring engines, runaway accelerators, and other issues could be significant contributions to your wreck.
As long as the truck was properly maintained and the faulty parts were not caused by wear and tear, the manufacturer could be among the defendants held responsible for your truck accident in Fort Myers Beach.
Other Drivers
In many cases, truck accidents involve more than just the truck and your vehicle. They may also involve several other cars. If these drivers were the ultimate cause of the crash, or contributed to the extent of your injuries through their negligence, the court may also consider them liable to pay you compensation.
Alcohol Establishments
Finally, an alcoholic beverage establishment could be held responsible for your Fort Myers truck accident under Florida’s so-called “dram shop law.” This is applicable when the driver of the truck or another vehicle that caused the accident was under the influence of alcohol at the time.
The law holds such establishments responsible if:
- The establishment served the at-fault driver while the at-fault driver was clearly intoxicated and/or was known to the establishment to have a history of alcoholism
- The establishment served the at-fault driver and the driver was under the legal drinking age of 21.
Until this year, federal law required semi-truck drivers to be at least 21 years old, eliminating the second option. However, new laws have been announced that would create truck driving jobs for people over the age of 18, according to CNN.
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How Much Is Your Fort Myers Truck Accident Claim Worth?
The amount of compensation you can get for your injuries depends on the monetary value of the damages you have incurred as a result of the crash. Compensable damages are split into two primary categories: those that affect your finances and those that do not.
Economic harms include items like:
- Your medical bills (now and in the future)
- Any accessibility modifications you need to make to your home as a result of your injuries
- Lost income due to missed work
- Lost earning capacity (if you are unable to return to the same level of work you previously engaged in)
- Costs of replacing or repairing your vehicle and other damaged property
Non-economic harms are more subjective, since they do not come with receipts or bills that clearly display their monetary value. Nevertheless, you deserve to be compensated for these as well. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Loss of enjoyment in life
- Physical pain
- Mental or emotional anguish
- The toll of becoming disfigured or disabled
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Speak With a Fort Myers Beach Truck Accident Law Firm for FREE
At Viles & Beckman, our personal injury lawyers have more than 40 years of experience handling cases. We have won our clients more than $100 million, so you know your case is in good hands.
Our attorneys work with you to understand the details of your claim, figure out who is liable for your damages, negotiate with the at-fault parties, and take the case to court if needed. If you are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve, get in touch with our Fort Myers Beach truck crash lawyers as soon as possible.
We provide all clients with a FREE consultation to learn more about how we can help you. Just fill out the form on our contact page or call today to schedule your appointment with skilled attorneys serving truck accident victims in Fort Myers Beach.
Call or text (239) 334-3933 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
