Trucks are an essential component of commerce in the United States. They deliver goods to stores and businesses across the country and keep our economy moving. Unfortunately, however, trucks also cause serious accidents. Due to the size and power of these vehicles, the victims of truck accidents almost always suffer injuries—many of them catastrophic or even fatal. Following a truck accident in Florida, an accident victim must prove that the truck driver was responsible for the collision in order to obtain financial compensation for his or her injuries. In this article, we discuss liability following a truck accident in Florida.
Causes of Truck Accidents
To assess liability for a truck accident, it is necessary to determine the cause of the accident. Common causes of truck accidents include:
- The truck driver was fatigued.
- The truck driver was reckless.
- The company that hired the truck driver failed to conduct its due diligence in vetting and training the truck driver.
- The municipality where the crash occurred failed to properly maintain streets or signs.
- The truck manufacturer was negligent.
- The car manufacturer was negligent.
- The owner of the truck requested that unsafe cargo be transported, requested unreasonable deadlines, or requested that the truck be overloaded.
- The cargo was secured incorrectly.
Determining Responsibility
Determining who is responsible for a truck accident requires a detailed examination of the evidence surrounding the event. Following an accident with a truck in Florida, there are several possible parties that may be found liable, including:
- The truck driver
- The owner of the truck
- Your car’s manufacturer
- The truck’s manufacturer
- The municipality
The Importance of Liability in a Truck Accident
If you have been hurt in a truck collision, you may be entitled to financial compensation for vehicle repairs, lost income, medical costs, and other expenses related to your truck accident. However, in order to be compensated for your losses, the court must first establish liability. Depending on the circumstances of your case, one or more parties may be held liable for your damages. In fact, when more than one party is responsible for your injuries, this increases your odds of receiving full compensation for all of your losses. However, to increase your odds of a successful outcome, you should contact a personal injury lawyer for assistance.
Contact a Pensacola Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’ve been hurt in an accident with a truck in Florida, you need an experienced Florida personal injury attorney on your side. Located in Pensacola, Florida, Staples, Ellis + Associates, P.A., provides assistance to truck accident victims in Northwest Florida and Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton Counties. When you come to us for help following a collision with a truck, we will do everything we can to ensure a successful result in your truck accident case. Please contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Posted in: Truck Accidents