Orange Park Truck Accident Attorney

Truck Accidents in Clay County

Although they are rarer than other types of motor vehicle accidents, such as car crashes and motorcycle collisions, large truck accidents occur with alarming frequency. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, more than 1,000 people were injured in accidents with light, medium, and heavy trucks in Florida in 2018. Tragically, more than 50 people were killed in truck accidents in the state that same year.

If you were severely injured or if someone you love was killed in a truck accident, you already know the devastating impact these collisions have on the lives of victims and their families. At the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., we believe that you deserve justice. Our Orange Park truck accident attorneys fight to hold negligent truck drivers, trucking companies, and other liable parties accountable by helping victims and their loved ones work to secure fair compensation for their losses. With over 100 years of collective experience, our team has what it takes to aggressively advocate for you.

If you would like to learn more about filing a truck accident claim in Clay County, FL, contact us online or by phone at (855) 933-3881 to request a free consultation. We are available 24/7.

Common Causes of Large Truck Accidents

Determining the cause of a large truck accident is an important element of a successful truck accident claim. To bring a personal injury (or wrongful death) claim after an accident, you will need to identify the liable person or party, as this is who the claim is brought against. By identifying how the accident happened, our attorneys can establish who is liable for your resulting damages.

Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

• Negligent Drivers: Truck driver negligence plays a key role in many accidents. Examples of truck driver negligence include distracted driving, speeding, failure to yield the right of way, unsafe passing, fatigued driving, falling asleep at the wheel, driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and other careless, reckless, and unlawful driving behaviors.
• Poor Trucking Company Practices: In some cases, poor trucking company practices can indirectly contribute to an accident. This may be the case when trucking companies impose strict deadlines or quotas on their drivers, leading to their drivers violating federal hours-of-service regulations. It could also be the case when trucking companies engage in negligent hiring practices (e.g., failing to conduct background checks) or fail to properly train or supervise their drivers.
• Defective Products and Parts: Sometimes, defective trucks, truck parts, roadways, and other products contribute to or cause serious truck accidents. Examples include trucks that are highly prone to jackknifing or truck tires that shred/blow out at normal highway speeds, as well as defective roadway design or construction.
• Third-Party Negligence: When people/parties other than the truck driver or trucking company are negligent, this can also lead to devastating accidents. This includes other motorists on the road who engage in careless or reckless driving behaviors, as well as individuals/companies who fail to conduct proper truck maintenance or repairs and those that fail to properly load cargo.

At the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., we work with a team of six in-house investigators who help us uncover the exact cause (or causes) of an accident. We know how to properly investigate these cases to build powerful and persuasive cases on behalf of our clients.

Who Is Liable After a Truck Accident?

Unlike typical car accident claims, determining liability in a truck accident case is often very complicated. Even when a truck driver’s negligence caused the accident, the trucking company may be liable for your damages. This is because employers are often legally responsible for the conduct of their employees under what are known as respondeat superior laws. However, if the truck driver was violating company policy (or if their employer argues that they were), the trucking company may dispute its liability. And in cases involving third-party negligence, the issue of liability becomes even more convoluted.

Depending on the unique circumstances of your case, any of the following parties (or others) could be partially or wholly liable for your damages:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company/truck driver’s employer
• The company that owns or leases the truck
• The person/party responsible for truck maintenance and/or repairs
• The person/party responsible for loading cargo
• The manufacturer of a defective truck/truck part
• Another motorist who acted negligently or unlawfully
• A negligent pedestrian or bicyclist
• A construction company that designed or built a defective roadway

Our Orange Park truck accident attorneys are well-versed in the many unique nuances and complexities inherent in these types of claims. We can handle all of the details of your case so that you can focus on your physical recovery.

How Our Attorneys Can Help

Due to their massive weight and size, large semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and delivery trucks often cause extensive damage, catastrophic injuries, and fatalities when they collide with other vehicles and objects. At the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., we understand that you are likely to feel justifiably overwhelmed by the prospect of needing ongoing medical treatment and having to take considerable time off work to heal. You may even be unable to return to work at all and may need to learn to live your life with a new, unexpected disability. On top of the financial, physical, and emotional hardships caused by the accident, taking legal action may be the furthest thing from your mind.

With our firm on your side, you can focus on getting proper medical care, managing your day-to-day expenses, and taking care of your physical and mental health while our attorneys handle every detail of your claim. Throughout the process, we are always available to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have. We answer all calls 24/7 and even provide our clients with our personal cell phone numbers so that they can always reach us when they need us most.

At the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., we have one goal: to maximize your recovery. We don’t just settle; instead, our attorneys are ready to fight for every penny you are owed, even if that means taking your case to trial. We encourage you to reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help you file a truck accident lawsuit and fight for the fair compensation you deserve.

Call (855) 933-3881 or submit a free online contact form to request a complimentary consultation with our team today.