Truck accidents can be much more severe and complicated than other auto collisions. Commercial truck accidents require a thorough and prompt investigation to gather and preserve vital evidence. Further, trucking companies must comply with complex state laws and federal regulations that could apply to your case.
Our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers are here to take the frustration and stress out of managing a complex legal case. You won’t have to worry about navigating the legal process, assessing the extent of your financial damages, or negotiating with insurers for the compensation you need.
The Jacksonville truck accident attorneys with GED Lawyers can handle all of that for you so you can focus on healing. Call us today for a free initial consultation.
How Our Jacksonville Truck Accident Attorneys Stand Apart
Following an accident with a large semi-truck, you may find yourself overwhelmed, but GED Lawyers can help you through these difficult times. Our personal injury attorneys have experience litigating truck accident cases like yours.
We are up to date with ever-changing state and federal trucking laws and know the legal process inside out, especially when it comes to investigating the cause of your truck accident. We can work quickly to gather and preserve evidence to determine how the accident happened and who is responsible.
Other important ways we can support our clients in truck accident claims include:
- Obtaining the driver’s logbook, employee background checks, and training history
- Preserving data from the vehicle’s electronic control module (or “black box”)
- Working with accident reconstruction experts to inspect the damaged vehicles
- Checking to see if the driver or their employer violated federal safety regulations or state transportation laws
- Working with your doctor or other medical experts to assess the full extent of your injuries and their long-term effects on your health and earning potential
- Evaluating the full extent of your current and anticipated physical, emotional, and financial damages
- Leading negotiations with the at-fault party, their insurers, or their legal team
- Taking your case to trial when required
We know how to contend with the excuses the insurance companies could use to reduce or deny their financial responsibilities.
Client-Focused Approach That Delivers Results
With almost three decades of experience and a track record of success in pursuing compensation for our clients in highly complex injury lawsuits (including a recent $7.1 million verdict in a commercial trucking accident), we are well-positioned to fight for your compensation.
Our commitment to exceptional service means we are here when you need us and available for evening or weekend appointments. Further, if your injuries prevent you from traveling, we can come to you.
Full-Service Case Management
We manage the legal process to make things hassle-free for our clients. From handling case administration to communications with all parties involved in your case, we are with you every step of the way.
Accessible Legal Representation
We believe everyone deserves legal representation and can provide aid to our diverse Jacksonville community with staff fluent in Spanish, Arabic, Creole, Greek, Portuguese, Russian, and Turkish. Our legal team is prepared to address any concerns you may have about your case. We’ll be there when you need us.
Contingency Fee Legal Representation
We take cases on a contingency fee basis and are always transparent about our fees and pricing structure. This means no upfront charges and no surprise fees. You won’t pay legal fees unless we recover a favorable settlement or trial verdict.
Call GED Lawyers for a free case consultation and learn more about your legal options.
Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident in Jacksonville?
As the burden of proof rests with the claimant, proving negligence after a truck accident is critical. To do this, a Jacksonville truck accident attorney can help you gather evidence and build a robust truck accident claim to prove who caused the accident, how, and the damages you suffered.
However, one of the ways truck accidents are unique is the possibility of multiple liable parties. Unlike most car accidents, there are multiple individuals and companies involved in the transportation industry. For example, if a haulage firm was negligent and caused the accident, they and the driver could be liable for your injuries.
Liable parties in your commercial truck wreck could include:
The Commercial Truck Driver
Truck drivers must follow strict safety regulations to operate commercial vehicles on public roads and highways. If an accident is caused by their negligence, the driver would be liable.
Common examples of driver negligence include:
- Fatigued driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
We will also investigate the driver’s work history and qualifications.
The Trucking Company
Trucking companies are held to strict legal standards. For example, we can hold them liable for the actions of their employees under the doctrine of respondeat superior. We can also pursue them for compensation if we find evidence of:
- Negligent hiring practices
- Failure to properly maintain a vehicle
- Violations of federal trucking industry safety regulations or state transportation laws
Third Parties Related to the Trucking Industry
Some accidents may involve negligence on behalf of third parties responsible for an accident caused by:
- Cargo Company: Improperly loaded and secured cargo
- Manufacturers: Defective vehicle parts
- Maintenance Crews: Inadequate vehicle maintenance
- Government Agency: Poorly maintained roads or highways
Whatever the cause of the accident, we know what evidence to look for and how to preserve and use it to achieve the maximum compensation possible for you and your family.
Evidence Our Jacksonville Truck Accident Lawyers Gather
When proving negligence, we are looking for evidence that demonstrates four key elements. They are:
- Duty of Care: You, the truck driver, the trucking company, and everyone else on the road all owe each other a responsibility to operate vehicles safely and to follow all traffic laws. However, the truck driver and company have a higher degree of responsibility due to the inherent dangers their large rigs represent.
- Breach of Duty: When the truck driver or the trucking company violates a traffic law or federal regulation, they have broken their duty of care.
- Causation: As a result of their actions or inactions, you were in an accident and suffered injuries. We must link their breach of duty to the accident.
- Damages: Finally, we must show what you have lost. Your losses could include medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
The evidence we may gather to prove these four key elements includes:
- Police report
- Medical records
- Photos from the accident scene
- Dashcam, traffic camera, and surveillance videos
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert testimonies
- Truck driver’s logs
- Electronic data recordings
- Employment records
- Maintenance logs
- Blood and alcohol tests
Our Jacksonville truck collision attorneys will also file spoliation letters to preserve evidence that may be in the hands of possible defendants.
Compensation Available in a Jacksonville Truck Accident
Truck accidents are often life-changing. Severe injuries may limit or prevent you from returning to work. Financial compensation could help you pay for your treatment and continue supporting your family. There are various types of economic and non-economic damages we can pursue, including:
- Medical bills, including current and projected treatment and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages, as well as tips, bonuses, and benefits
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement or disability
- Impaired quality of life
- Lost or damaged property
Compensation for Fatal Truck Accidents
If you have lost a loved one, our Jacksonville wrongful death lawyers could help you pursue compensation for:
- Loss of consortium
- Medical costs prior to passing
- Lost income your loved one provided the family
- Funeral and burial costs
Laws That Will Affect Your Truck Accident Case in Jacksonville
First, your time to take legal action is limited to two years. Under Florida Statutes § 95.11, you must file a personal injury lawsuit with the Duval County courthouse against the liable party. If you miss this deadline, the courts will bar your case, and the insurance companies will be uninterested in negotiating a better settlement with you.
We advise contacting us as soon as possible so we can get started before the statute of limitations expires on your case.
You should also be aware of Florida Statutes § 768.81. Under this modified comparative negligence statute, you may not collect compensation if you are found to be 51% or greater at fault for the accident. Our Jacksonville 18-wheeler truck accident lawyers can protect you from any excessive blame placed on you.
As stated above, we will check to see if there have been any violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. Such regulations include:
- Hours of Service: Truck drivers are limited to 60/70 hours in a 7/8-day period.
- Blood Alcohol Concentration: Truck drivers may not operate their rig with a BAC higher than 0.04%.
- Vehicle Maintenance: Vehicles must be regularly inspected and repaired.
The team at GED Lawyers has the knowledge and experience needed to hold all parties responsible for the injuries you or a loved one suffered in a Jacksonville truck accident. Further, we can devote whatever time and resources are required to pursue your case. No matter how powerful the negligent party is or how much money they have to pay for their legal defense, we never settle for anything less than you deserve.
If You’ve Been Hurt in a Jacksonville Truck Accident, Call Today
To learn more about how our Jacksonville truck accident attorneys can help, contact GED Lawyers for a consultation. We can answer your questions and delve into your legal options. Our consultations are free, and you won’t be charged lawyers’ fees unless we recover compensation for you in a settlement or court verdict.
Reach out to our office today.