Sarasota County is a major trucking corridor and a busy delivery area for companies like UPS and FedEx. If you or a loved one has been hit by an 18-wheeler or other large truck, you probably have serious physical injuries along with emotional and financial damages. If you’re looking for a truck accident attorney in Sarasota, we can help.
Filing an injury claim against a trucking business can be complicated. You may need to sue the trucking company, their insurance company, or even the driver personally. But you don’t have to navigate this confusing process alone. You need an experienced truck accident lawyer to take your case.
What to Do Following a Truck Accident
When you’re involved in a semi-truck accident, it can be a scary and stressful time. While your head is swirling with trying to figure out if you’re injured, what happened, and what to do next, it’s important to take the right steps.
We recommend doing the following:
- First, call emergency responders including the police and an ambulance if there are serious injuries.
- Cooperate with the police officer who is filing the report and request a copy of it when it’s completed.
- Take photos of the scene, any damage to your vehicle, damage to the truck, and any injuries.
- Get the driver’s insurance and contact information.
- Get contact information and statements from any witnesses to the accident.
Under Florida law 316.065, drivers are required to report the accident to law enforcement if damages to property or injuries are in “an apparent amount of at least $500.”
What Are the Leading Causes of Truck Accidents?
While truck accidents can happen at any time, under any circumstances, there are some common causes to be aware of:
- Driver Error: If a driver is operating the vehicle recklessly – including speeding, texting and driving, and more –it can lead to accidents. Drivers might also be operating the vehicle under too little sleep in order to make a delivery on time.
- Truck Problems: Large trucks can pose dangerous risks if they are not properly maintained. Malfunctioning brakes or worn tires can lead to serious accidents.
- Equipment Failure: Defective parts on a truck can lead to fatal accidents.
- Misloaded Cargo: If cargo is not loaded properly it can spill onto the roadways and cause accidents.
Who is Responsible for the Accident?
When you or a loved one is injured in a truck accident, you might initially hold the truck driver responsible. While he can be at fault, there are many other parties that can be held liable, including:
- The truck driver.
- The truck company.
- The owner of the truck.
- The company leasing the truck.
- The company leasing the trailer.
- The shipper who wanted the load transported.
- The truck, trailer, or parts manufacturer.
It’s important to work with an experienced truck accident lawyer to determine who you can hold at fault in your particular accident, and what compensation you can seek.
Why You Need an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney
Trucking companies and their insurers are usually large corporations with deep pockets that hire attorneys to defend against your claim, protect their financial interests, and deny payment if possible. You need a savvy team of experienced truck accident attorneys to take on the big guys and protect your rights.
What does the team at Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann promise? Simple, we FIGHT to get injury victims PAID. As seasoned Florida truck accident attorneys, we KNOW how to take on big insurance companies and corporations and WIN. Call us to discuss your case for free. We’ve handled truck accident injury cases for more than 30 years. Let us fight to get you paid. Schedule a free appointment at our office in Sarasota, Bradenton, or St. Petersburg.
Call us today to learn why so many truck accident victims have turned to our firm for legal assistance. We’re here for you 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
