Lakeland Truck Accident Lawyer

Tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, tanker trucks, big rigs, garbage trucks, dump trucks — these vehicles are immense, some weighing up to 80,000 pounds or even more with oversized vehicle permits. When they are involved in traffic accidents with cars or light trucks, the smaller vehicles almost always sustain more damage. The results are even more devastating if motorcyclists, pedestrians, or cyclists are involved. Truck accidents often result in far worse injuries than a typical auto accident. A large truck can crush another vehicle and its occupants, causing catastrophic or fatal injuries. 

If you were involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer or large truck, do not let a greedy insurance provider or trucking company undervalue your claim or deny you compensation. Work with a Lakeland truck accident lawyer at Dismuke Law and pursue the full financial compensation to which you are entitled to cover medical expenses and other damages.

Types of Trucking Accidents

Our Lakeland truck accident lawyers have handled many personal injury cases. Truck accidents are some of the most catastrophic that can occur. They often leave those involved in the crash enduring significant injuries. Unfortunately, these types of crashes come in many forms and are often caused by negligence. Some of the most common types of truck accidents include:

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife accident is when a truck skids and the trailer folds to create an angle like a folding pocket knife. Jackknifing occurs because of equipment failure, inability to brake appropriately, inclement weather, or overloaded cargo.

Rollover Accidents

Whenever a large commercial truck takes a sharp turn or has an imbalanced trailer, there’s a possibility that, under specific conditions, the truck will roll over. Similarly, overcorrecting the truck after swerving can result in the trailer using its momentum to bring the whole rig to its side.

Blind Spot Accidents

Large commercial trucks often have a sign on their trailer claiming, “If you can’t see my mirrors, I can’t see you.” Truckers don’t just stick these on the rear of the trailer for fun — it’s the truth. Large trucks have significant blind spots making it nearly impossible to see motorists. When truck drivers fail to check before merging lanes, they increase the span of that blind spot. With multiple lanes and vehicles on the road, this is one situation where crashes occur and lead to injury.

Lost Load Accidents

Some trucking companies and truck drivers fail to check their trucks before traveling. If the company overloads the trailer or the hitch attaching the trailer to the truck is faulty, there’s a possibility a steep incline can cause the trailer to disconnect. As a result, those behind the lost trailer risk crashing and sustaining significant injuries.

Our truck accident lawyers in Lakeland, FL have handled multiple cases involving many of these accidents. Whether the crash was due to a mechanical issue or reckless driving behavior, our team of experienced truck wreck lawyers will fight to hold the liable parties accountable. 

Accident Reconstruction to Identify the Cause of Your Truck Accident

To recover economic and non-economic damages through a third-party truck accident insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, you must prove fault (legal responsibility). Our truck accident attorneys in Lakeland often work with investigators and accident reconstruction specialists to determine the cause of a collision and then build a clear, compelling demonstration of this that can hold up in negotiations or in court.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

In our experience, truck accidents may be caused by:

• Overloaded trucks
• Improperly balanced cargo
• Unsecured truck cargo
• Defective truck parts
• Poorly maintained tractor-trailers
• Fatigued truck drivers
• Distracted driving
• Drunk driving
• Speeding
• Dangerous roadways

No matter the case, our injury lawyers and investigators will determine who is liable and how your truck and crash injury occurred. 

We Help Determine the Liable Parties in Your Lakeland Semi-Truck Accident

Identifying the entity responsible for paying damages is typically challenging in large truck accidents. For instance, trucking companies contract with various service providers who could bear the blame for the crash.

Our Lakeland big rig accident lawyers will investigate to ensure we identify the liable parties, which might include:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• Freight logistics broker
• Leasing company
• Cargo loading company
• Trailer hitching company
• Truck manufacturer
• Parts manufacturer

Don’t face big trucking companies alone. The lawyers of Dismuke Law know how to take on large legal teams of these commercial trucking companies and will fight for the justice you deserve. 

Our Big Rig Lawyers Fight for Your Full Compensation

Collisions with a big rig or semi truck frequently leave victims with catastrophic injuries that could take months or years to heal. Traumatic brain injury, loss of limb, and internal organ damage are severe injuries that semi-truck accident victims suffer that necessitate continuous care. Thus, it’s essential to have the financial resources to pay for medical treatment and additional healthcare costs. Florida law allows you to seek damages from the liable party after a trailer truck crash. These damages include economic losses as well as pain and suffering. 

Our Lakeland truck accident lawyers are determined to help you recover fair and full compensation for all your accident-related losses. We carefully review these documents to calculate the compensation you deserve:

• Medical bills
• Pay stubs or tax records
• Vehicle repair estimates
• Medical records
• Doctors’ reports
• Expert testimony
• Your account of events

A settlement for your big rig or semi truck accident-related losses could include the following damages:

• Present and future medical care costs
• Lost income and work benefits
• Physical therapy 
• Occupational therapy
• Chiropractic services 
• Pain management 
• Vehicle repair or replacement costs 
• Diminished car value
• Physical impairment 
• Lost quality of life 
• Reduced enjoyment of activities
• Emotional distress 

Many victims in truck accidents sustain severe injuries. Spinal cord injuries, broken bones, amputations, and disfigurement are all possible. TBIs can range from a concussion to mental incapacity, possibly leading to coma or death. 

Our brain injury lawyers will treat your case with the compassion you and your family deserve. We can fight to get the recovery for all your losses as well as the financial compensation necessary for the medical treatment and care of your TBI. 

Families Can Recover Compensation After a Fatal Truck Accident

When big rig or semi truck accidents end in a loved one’s death, surviving family members are often left grieving and uncertain of their future. Our wrongful death attorney can help you recover money for your losses during this unforeseen time. 

You could be eligible to claim these losses in a wrongful death claim:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Medical expenses 
• Loss of economic support
• Loss of services
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of parental guidance
• Loss of protection
• Mental anguish

We hope to bring you a sense of closure, stability, and comfort as we pursue justice for your family. 

About Trucking Industry Regulations and Requirements

Truckers are required to follow legal regulations that are in place to increase safety throughout the industry. Most trucking industry regulations are established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a United States Department of Transportation division. An experienced truck accident lawyer in Lakeland will understand these regulations and local laws and use their knowledge to create a stronger case. Trucking industry regulations aim to combat common causes of truck crashes, such as driver fatigue and overweight cargo.

Some trucking regulations include:

Hours of Service Regulations

Hours of service regulations are rules that limit the time a truck driver can spend on the road each day. Truck drivers can only drive for a maximum of 11 hours per day after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They are prohibited from working any time after they have been on duty for 14 hours in one day. Drivers must take periodic rest periods during their time on duty. Note: Hours of service regulations are suspended as of March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Weight Limits

Weight limits for commercial trucks differ between states. In Florida, the weight limits vary depending on other vehicle specifications. The regulations are enforced by Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).

Black Boxes

Black boxes are a device that is required to be installed in commercial trucks. Also known as electronic control modules, black boxes collect data on every aspect of a truck’s operations. Information on speed, acceleration, braking, steering wheel use, and other functions are recorded on a truck’s black box and can offer insight into what happened before a truck accident occurred.

The records kept in compliance with these regulations can be used as evidence by your lawyer in your truck accident litigation to identify potential safety violations.

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

Florida law provides truck accident victims two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. Therefore, we encourage you to take legal action as quickly as possible to avoid losing the right to seek financial recovery in court. A truck accident takes time to investigate, leaving you less time than you think. 

Our accident lawyers work hard to file every case before the deadline expires. However, some exceptions to the filing deadline exist. So, speaking with a Lakeland big rig accident attorney is the best way to find out the exact expiration date of your case. 

What Happens After a Truck Accident?

Trucking accidents are handled differently from car accidents. The primary difference is that trucking companies often have staff and legal counsel on the scene when a crash occurs. This puts truck accident victims at a disadvantage; unless you quickly hire an experienced truck wreck attorney to protect your rights.

Law Enforcement Investigation

When trucking accidents occur, law enforcement will complete their own investigation. Under Florida law, with few exceptions, the Traffic Crash Report or Traffic Homicide Report and statements that were taken by law enforcement are not admissible at trial. However, the report will contain valuable information.

Insurance Company Investigation

Sometimes, the insurance company representing the trucking firm will visit the crash scene and collect information. They will often take photos and statements from witnesses. Their claims adjusters are trained to focus on information that limits their liability. They will often seek to obtain the statement of the injured party. Do not state the trucking company’s insurance company without first consulting qualified truck accident lawyers.

Trucking Company Investigation

The corporation that owns and operates the truck will often send its lawyers to the scene of trucking accidents. They may collect evidence at the scene. Their job is to protect the trucking company from liability. Do not state the trucking companies’ lawyers without first consulting with your legal team.

Your Attorney’s Investigation

Your attorney can also investigate the accident and make sure that the driver who harmed you was operating in compliance with all state and FMCSA regulations. The sooner you hire a qualified truck accident lawyer in Lakeland, FL, the better chance that significant evidence does not go undiscovered. 

These days, video surveillance cameras are everywhere, including local businesses, traffic monitoring stations, and red light cameras. Some video surveillance is on a short recording loop (often thirty days, or less) and is recorded over if not collected. 

The insurance company or their attorneys will not share information that hurts their case with you. However, a truck wreck lawyer from our law firm can obtain such evidence when building your case. Swift action is the key to successfully compensating victims for medical care and other damages, such as loss of income, mental anguish, and physical impairment. 

Entrust Your Lakeland Big Rig Accident Case to a Trial Litigation Specialist

Having your case in capable hands is paramount to deciding which law firm represents you. Our personal injury firm serving Lakeland, FL, features a team of distinguished litigators to handle your case. David C. Dismuke is board-certified as a civil trial lawyer. He has done the work and earned the credentials of a trial litigation specialist. His expertise leads our law firm and guides each case. 

The compassion and dedication of our big rig accident attorneys take our legal service to the next level, ensuring that while we focus on winning each case, client care remains foremost in our approach. 

Our Big Rig Accident Lawyers Serving Lakeland, FL, Know How to Win 

With more than $87 million recovered on behalf of clients across Florida, our record speaks for itself. Some of our case highlights include:

• A $30 million verdict for a teen hit by a drunk driver.
• A $10 million award for an auto accident victim who sustained life-threatening injuries.

The money we’ve recovered has helped provide hope for clients and their families who were unsure how they could restore their lives after life-altering events. 

No Upfront Costs for a Lakeland Big Rig Accident Attorney 

We believe in providing equal access to legal representation for the injured and their families. Considering that, we operate under a contingency fee pricing arrangement for personal injury cases. 

We never charge our clients any upfront or out-of-pocket expenses, and you’ll only pay attorney fees if we win your case. Then, our law firm receives a percentage of the overall compensation we help you recover. This arrangement allows us to serve you without putting you under unnecessary financial strain. 

Hire a Lakeland Truck Accident Attorney

The best way to protect your rights after trucking accidents is to contact an injury attorney familiar with the industry. If you have been injured or suffered losses due to negligence, contact us to learn more about your options and to speak with a truck accident lawyer in Lakeland familiar with state and FMCSA regulations governing the trucking industry.  A Lakeland big rig accident lawyer at Dismuke Law is here to serve you during your most challenging time. If you reach out to us on the Ask Dave line by calling (863) 250-5050 or filling out a contact form, we can answer all your questions and help you explore your legal options during a free consultation.