A truck crash can leave you dealing with serious injuries, missed work, damage to your vehicle, and questions about who was responsible. When a commercial driver and trucking company are involved, the claim can become complicated quickly.
A Parkland personal injury lawyer can explain your rights and help you understand what to do next. At Viles & Beckman, we’ve overseen thousands of successful cases. If you need a truck accident lawyer in Parkland, we can investigate what happened and handle the insurance claim on your behalf.
How a Parkland Truck Accident Lawyer Investigates the Crash
Truck accident claims can involve records and evidence that would not normally come up after a standard car crash. Some of that information may be held by the trucking company or another business involved.
A Parkland truck accident lawyer can also help investigate the collision and determine who may be responsible. We may review:
- Driver logs: To check driving hours and required rest periods
- Vehicle data: To look at speed, braking, and other recorded information
- Maintenance records: To see whether inspections and repairs were completed
- Photos and video: To help piece together how the crash happened
- Witness statements: To clarify details that may be disputed
- Police and medical records: To document the collision and resulting injuries
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules cover areas such as driving hours, vehicle inspections, repairs, and maintenance. Those records help show what was happening before the crash. Evidence can also become harder to obtain with time. Starting the investigation early gives us more opportunity to preserve footage, records, and other information that may matter.
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Who May Be Liable for a Commercial Truck Collision?
Responsibility may extend beyond the person driving the truck. A trucking company may also be liable if its own actions contributed to the collision, while a cargo-loading company could be involved if freight was loaded or secured improperly.
Maintenance providers may also come into the picture when poor inspection or repair contributed to a mechanical problem. In some cases, a vehicle or parts manufacturer may be responsible for a defect that played a role in the crash.
A Parkland commercial truck accident lawyer can look at what each person or business did and determine which parties and insurance policies may be relevant to your claim.
What Compensation Can a Parkland Truck Accident Lawyer Pursue?
The financial effects of a truck crash may continue well beyond the first hospital bill. You could need ongoing treatment, spend time away from work, or find that your injuries affect your ability to earn in the future. Your claim may include compensation for:
- Medical expenses: Hospital care, rehabilitation, medication, and necessary future treatment
- Lost income: Wages you miss while you are unable to work
- Reduced earning capacity: If your injuries affect what you can earn in the future
- Property damage: The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle
- Pain and suffering: The physical and emotional impact of your injuries
There is no standard value for a truck accident claim. We look at your injuries, financial losses, available insurance, and how the crash has affected your life.
It can also be risky to settle before you understand the full extent of your injuries. Once a claim has been settled and released, you generally cannot return later for more compensation from the parties covered by that release.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
Florida places time limits on personal injury lawsuits. Under Florida Statute § 95.11, an action founded on negligence generally has a two-year statute of limitations.
That does not mean every deadline should automatically be calculated as two years from the date of the crash. When the claim accrues and whether an exception applies can depend on the circumstances.
Waiting can also make an investigation more difficult. Video may be overwritten, witnesses can become harder to locate, and other evidence may no longer be available. A Parkland 18-wheeler accident lawyer can determine the deadline that applies to your case and take steps to preserve relevant evidence.
What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?
Your health comes first. Seek medical care for your injuries and follow any treatment advice you receive, especially if new symptoms appear after the crash.
When you are able, keep photos or videos from the scene, insurance information, medical records, bills, receipts, and any correspondence you receive from an insurer. It can also help to keep the names and contact details of anyone who witnessed the collision.
Be careful about signing a settlement or release before you understand what it covers. We can review insurance communications and handle those discussions on your behalf.
Speak With a Truck Accident Lawyer in Parkland
You should not have to investigate a trucking company, organize medical evidence, and manage insurance communications while trying to recover.
Viles & Beckman can review the collision, identify who may be responsible, and explain your options based on what happened. We offer free case evaluations and handle personal injury claims on a contingency-fee basis.
If you were injured in a commercial vehicle collision, contact us to discuss your case with a truck accident lawyer in Parkland and find out what your next steps may be.