Truck Accident Attorneys

Semi-Tractor Trailer, Tanker Truck & Logging Truck Accidents in North Florida

North Florida highways can be extremely dangerous for motorists unaccustomed to the hazards presented by long-distance semi-trucks, construction equipment haulers, logging trucks, and other commercial vehicles. The city of Jacksonville lies at the junction of two of the busiest truck routes in the country, Interstate 10 and Interstate 95. This combination of heavy truck traffic, frequently wet weather, and the mix of truck and tourist traffic, can result in devastating highway accidents.

Contact the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A. for advice and representation on personal injury or wrongful death damages related to semi-truck, tractor trailer, or logging truck accidents. Call (855) 933-3881 for a free consultation.

Proving Liability in a Truck Accident Case

Our lawyers know how to investigate the facts necessary to prove liability against the multiple defendants that can often be held accountable in a truck accident case, including the truck’s owner, the trailer’s owner, the maintenance contractor, the driver, or the driver’s employer.

Our familiarity with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations enables us to get to the bottom of the most important questions relating to liability in a truck accident case:

• Did the driver get sufficient sleep and time away from the road?
• Was the driver properly trained and licensed?
• Was the vehicle properly inspected and maintained?
• Was the trailer oversize or overweight?
• Does the freight company have a history of safety violations?

Just as we will make a thorough analysis of the circumstances relating to the liability of one or more defendants, we also leave nothing to chance in documenting and presenting your losses. We work with medical experts to develop and offer evidence of your condition, prognosis, and need for future treatment. We consult with life care plan experts to identify the extent and probable duration of your reliance on home assistance, adaptive technology, and disability from work.

Types of Damages You Can Recover

After a serious truck accident, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages, as well as punitive damages in rare cases. Economic damages include compensation for current and future medical costs, lost wages, loss of your earning capacity, and compensation for ongoing treatment for permanent disability or impairment. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, may be awarded for emotional and physical pain and suffering, distress, disfigurement, loss of consortium, and the inability to enjoy your life as you once did.

Punitive damages, while limited in by the State of Florida and therefore difficult to obtain, are awarded to punish serious acts of negligence and wrongdoing. These damages can be awarded when there wasn’t significant economic loss, but the driver or trucking company should still be held accountable for their negligent actions.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Florida

After an accident, it is essential you contact law enforcement as soon as possible. They can begin their investigation and create a report about the conditions of the accident. This report will be used in your claim for damages. If it is safe to do so, also document the scene yourself, including taking pictures of the damage to your vehicle; debris left on the road; and weather, traffic, and road conditions. Write everything down, as memories may fade, especially if you have sustained a head injury.

You should also seek medical attention, even if you do not feel hurt. Never assume you are simply okay because you do not immediately feel the effects of an accident, as often symptoms may appear days later.

Do not forget to get the truck driver’s information. This includes:

• Their name and phone number
• Their driver’s license number
• The name of their insurance carrier and the trucking company’s insurance carrier
• The US DOT serial number
• Information on the Electronic Logging Device (ELD), if available
• Information on the parent company and/or the person who owns the truck itself

You should also collect the contact information of any witnesses, as their statements can strengthen your claim for compensation. Once you have this information, contact your insurance company to report your accident, but do not admit fault. You also shouldn’t accept any offers without first speaking to your attorney, as insurance companies will often try to settle quickly, and for the lowest amount possible. Our firm can review the circumstance of your accident and fight for the full and fair compensation you are entitled to.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

If you have been injured, or if a loved one has been injured or killed in a trucking accident, we help ensure the jury understands the full extent of your loss. For a free consultation about your rights and legal options in a collision, contact the Florida truck accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A.