Truck accidents can be devastating. If your family lost a loved one to a fatal crash, we offer our sincerest condolences. An unexpected death can cause financial and emotional hardship to a family. You may deserve to seek compensation for your many losses. Our compassionate team understands how to help. When you have questions about how a Plant City fatal truck accident lawyer can help, “Ask Dave.”
At Dismuke Law, we believe you should not have to face the death of your loved one alone. We can handle the insurance companies, the paperwork, and all the legal challenges that your family could face. Let us handle the legal tasks while you focus on what matters most at this challenging time.
Our Attorneys Understand Florida’s Wrongful Death Laws
When truck accidents result in death, the family losing their loved one can suffer more than grief. Sudden deaths create financial burdens for a family, with expenses related to life-saving medical procedures, funeral and burial costs, and more. If the deceased was the primary wage earner for the family, the financial problems could cascade.
In many cases, it can be beneficial for the family to seek compensation from the liable party to assist with the financial burden of a fatal truck accident. A Plant City, FL fatal truck accident attorney can assist in filing the necessary documentation to ensure your family is not overwhelmed financially.
Florida § 768.19 permits the deceased’s family to request compensation when another driver’s negligence causes a fatal accident. A fatal truck accident wrongful death attorney will fight for your family, allowing you the time to grieve your loss. Our wrongful death team can explain who can file for compensation and the details about getting financial compensation for your loss.
Who Can File for Wrongful Death Compensation?
Following Florida § 768.21, the following family members may file for wrongful death compensation:
- Surviving spouse
- Children
- Parents of a deceased minor child
- Other descendants
Take Action for a Wrongful Death Case As Soon As Possible
You only have a limited time to file a wrongful death case in Florida. Per Florida Statutes § 95.11, you have just two years to file. As soon as your family is able, we advise that you get started so you don’t lose your chance of a financial recovery.
To get answers to your questions, contact Dismuke Law and “Ask Dave.” Our team will discuss your case and provide concise, knowledgeable answers to get you started.
Types of Compensation in a Wrongful Death Truck Accident
When you lose a member of your family in a fatal truck accident, no amount of money will return wholeness to your family. However, by fighting for monetary compensation, your family will be able to grieve your loss without worrying about the financial instability that a sudden loss can cause.
The Florida Bar uses a set of variables to determine a fair value for economic compensation in a wrongful death case. Using this information, our fatal truck accident team will:
- Place a value on future income from the deceased
- Determine a value for employer-related benefits, retirement income, and other financial incentives lost due to the death
- Place a value on household contributions, such as home upkeep, lawn care, and daily chores
- Adjust figures based on the particulars applicable to your family dynamics
Per Florida § 768.21, family members may be entitled to compensation that includes:
- Financial support
- Emotional support
- Instructional support and guidance
- Other forms of support as needed
Compensation to recover funeral and burial expenses and all final medical expenses from attempted life-saving measures is also available.
Determining Who Bears Liability for a Fatal Truck Accident
When a Plant City accident occurs, law enforcement conducts a preliminary investigation. Sometimes they define who was at fault and write traffic citations. Other times, it isn’t clear who was at fault, or there might be more than one responsible party. When you work with a fatal truck accident attorney from our team, we conduct a thorough investigation to identify all the liable parties.
The cause of truck accidents sometimes offers clues to determine who was at fault. Common accident causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Overloaded trucks
- Improperly loaded or off-balanced loads
- Unsecured cargo
- Driver fatigue
- Speeding or reckless operation
- Poorly maintained equipment
- Faulty/defective parts
- Poorly maintained roadways
Depending on the cause of the accident, you could seek compensation from:
- The driver
- Maintenance service or personnel
- Parts manufacturers
- Cargo loading facilities
- Trucking companies
- Government agencies responsible for road maintenance
Once our fatal truck accident team determines who is liable, we will continue gathering evidence to establish the elements of negligence.
Establishing Negligence
To prove that an entity was negligent and caused the death of your loved one, a fatal truck accident lawyer in Plant City, FL from our team will establish the presence of the following elements:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
Our team will gather evidence to show that the responsible party or parties owed your family member a duty of care. Then we will work to show that they breached their duty, causing the accident that resulted in the loss of your loved one.
Once negligence has been established, our team will begin fighting to compensate your family for your loss.
Contact Dismuke Law for Help With a Plant City Fatal Truck Accident Case
You can get help after losing a loved one to a fatal truck accident. You should not have to bear the financial and legal burden alone. Our fatal truck accident lawyers in Plant City, FL know Florida law and have experience fighting for the compensation families deserve. Let us take on your case so that you don’t have to.
Contact Dismuke Law today to learn more about your options. Ask us any of your questions during this free, confidential call. We can tell you more about our compassionate legal care and how we can get started fighting for justice.