South Florida Personal Injury Lawyer > West Palm Beach Truck Accidents
You do not have to try to seek compensation on your own after a trucking accident. Instead, you can rely on a West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer from our team at Blakeley Law Firm to help with all of your legal needs.
We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a truck accident can have on victims. A West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer can help accident victims deal with complex truck accident claims.
When you're healing from injuries, the last thing you need is to go toe-to-toe with trucking companies and their insurers. That's where we step in to carry the burden so you can focus on recovering. We've brought our clients over $200 million in compensation, and we're ready to review your losses right now.
Why Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in West Palm Beach?
Hiring a personal injury attorney after a truck collision can improve your chances of getting maximum compensation for your losses. Your attorney will take charge of all legal matters, providing the guidance you need in this challenging time.
Our law firm can:
Answer All Your Questions
We take the time to carefully listen to our clients after a crash. We'll pay attention to your concerns and provide you with clear, straightforward answers to any questions you have, allowing you to make an informed decision about your next steps.
You can reach out to us at any time during the legal process to address new questions or concerns.
Develop a Personalized Legal Strategy
We understand the importance of a post-accident strategy. We need to fully understand the circumstances surrounding your crash so we can determine the methods we can use to bring you fair compensation.
Our post-accident strategy involves collecting evidence and information to build a narrative that accurately reflects the full scope of your experience.
Collect Evidence
We quickly gather evidence and information that will later serve your claim. Depending on your circumstances, we may need to:
- Visit the scene of your trucking accident
- Talk to eyewitnesses and take their official statements
- Get a copy of the police accident report
- Collect videos and photos of the crash
- Get information from the truck's data recorder
You should contact us immediately after a crash so we have the best chances of collecting all relevant data, especially from the data recorder. The trucking company can get rid of this information if we do not move quickly.
We translate the chaos of an accident into a clear, compelling case that leaves no room for doubt about the extent of your losses or the justice you deserve.
Handle the Insurance Company
We begin navigating the insurance landscape as we compile the evidence and documentation. Insurance companies make dealing with them difficult, and truck accident claims, in particular, involve a web of policies and insurers, including those of the trucking company, the cargo owner, and others.
Our team works to ensure that the insurance companies honor their obligations and challenges any attempts to minimize or dismiss your claim.
Assist With a Lawsuit
In many cases, we can help our clients get the funds they need through an insurance settlement. However, we understand that insurance companies may refuse to treat injury victims fairly in some cases.
In these situations, we can help you file a lawsuit against the liable party. We have the resources and training to help you take your claim to court.
You May Get Compensation for Your Medical Expenses
After a truck accident, medical expenses can quickly add up, becoming a source of deep financial stress. Compensation for these costs extends to all medical-related expenditures you may encounter.
We understand that injuries from a truck accident can require long-term, sometimes lifelong, treatment. As such, we anticipate future medical needs to ensure that your compensation is not just for today's bills but for the medical costs you will likely incur down the line.
We establish a clear record of your injuries and the medical treatment you received. This record includes hospital stays, medical procedures, ongoing therapies, and rehabilitation. You may get funds to pay for:
Emergency Services
The costs begin with ambulance rides, emergency room visits, surgeries, and immediate medical care. We document all these expenses to ensure they're part of your claim.
Rehabilitation Appointments
Long-term recovery often requires physical therapy, chiropractic care, or other forms of rehabilitation. Our team collaborates with your healthcare providers to detail these expenses, projecting future costs to ensure your settlement covers the full cost of your rehabilitative care.
Prescriptions and Medical Equipment
Medications, medical devices, or specialized equipment, such as wheelchairs and home modifications, are often necessary for recovery. We collect receipts, prescriptions, and professional estimates to build a comprehensive claim for these ongoing costs.
We gather all relevant medical records, bills, and expert testimony to substantiate the full range of your medical expenses, ensuring that we leave no detail out.
Other Funds Available After a Truck Accident
The consequences of a truck accident extend far beyond the immediate impact. You may be entitled to compensation for a variety of damages. Your truck accident attorney in West Palm Beach may help you get the funds you need to pay for your:
Lost Income and Earning Capacity
The impact of a truck accident on your ability to work can be immediate and long-lasting. Our firm works to quantify these losses accurately to ensure that any settlement reflects the full extent of your lost earning potential.
We solidify your claim by gathering detailed documentation, including:
- Pay stubs
- Tax returns
- Professional evaluations
We will document the work and income you've lost due to the accident, collaborating with your employer to establish a clear record of your typical earnings and the impact of your absence.
For more severe injuries that affect your long-term ability to earn, we conduct thorough analyses, often with the assistance of economic experts, to calculate the difference between your pre-accident and post-accident earning potential.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering compensation addresses the non-economic impact of an accident. You may qualify for funds to cover your:
While subjective and intangible losses, pain and suffering are real and quantifiable in the eyes of the law. We compile evidence so insurance companies can acknowledge and compensate for your non-economic losses.
We may use personal impact statements to help you articulate the depth of your pain and suffering. We may also ask you to complete impact journals, giving a voice to your distress.
Our team may also rely on expert testimony to establish the extent of your non-economic damages. Psychological evaluations and expert testimonies can play a role in quantifying pain and suffering. We collaborate with mental health professionals to provide an objective assessment of your emotional and psychological trauma.
Property Damage
We construct a strong claim for property damage by gathering all relevant receipts, valuations, and insurance assessments. We negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you receive the highest possible compensation for the loss of your property.
We can often get you the funds you need to pay for vehicle repairs or replacement. We will work to obtain estimates and valuations for vehicle repairs or fair market value in the case of total loss. We also focus on other items lost due to a crash.
Proving these damages requires a detailed and experienced approach. At Blakeley Law Firm, we are great at collecting, organizing, and presenting the evidence needed to maximize your claim. By trusting us with your case, you're gaining an advocate dedicated to ensuring that your compensation reflects every aspect of your loss.
Who Has to Pay for Your Truck Accident?
Any party that holds legal liability for your crash may need to cover your losses. So, who is liable for a truck accident? Liability for these crashes can vary considerably, making it essential that you hire a West Palm Beach truck accident attorney who can investigate and identify all potentially at-fault parties.
Depending on your situation, our team may focus on bringing a claim against:
The Trucking Company
Trucking companies often hold liability for collisions that involve large commercial vehicles. The company may need to pay for your losses if the crash involved a trucker carrying out work tasks.
Additionally, the company may have to cover your expenses if the crash happened because of improper maintenance or due to poor hiring practices. We can review your situation and provide more information about the company's potential liability.
The Truck Driver
In some cases, we may need to file a claim directly against the truck driver who caused your crash. For example, some truckers work as independent contractors and own their vehicles. In these cases, we may need to pursue them for compensation instead of the truck company.
Other Motorists
Our team will also consider the actions and liability of other motorists who contributed to your collision. Sometimes, the operators of passenger vehicles cause collisions with large trucks.
What Causes Trucking Accidents?
Truck crashes occur for many different reasons. We need to investigate to assess the causes of truck accidents after every collision. We're here to help after crashes caused by:
Fatigued Driving
Truck driver fatigue represents a common cause for many collisions. Truckers often remain behind the wheel long after they become tired because they feel pressure to meet deadlines set by their companies, despite federal and state regulations that limit the amount of time they can drive each day.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive or reckless driving can easily result in a truck crash. Sometimes, drivers speed, tailgate, or swerve between lanes, increasing the odds of a collision. An experienced attorney can help you build a claim after a crash caused by another driver's reckless behavior.
Drunk Driving
Commercial truck drivers and other motorists sometimes get behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol. Drunk driving dramatically increases the odds of a crash.
You may qualify for compensation after a collision caused by an impaired driver. A West Palm Beach drunk driving accident lawyer can provide more information about your next steps.
Distracted Driving
Drivers who take their eyes off the road or their hands off the wheel can easily cause a commercial truck accident. We can explain the most common types of distraction while driving and build a claim on your behalf after this type of collision.
We Need to Establish Negligence for Your Truck Crash
You can only get financial compensation for your losses after a crash if your West Palm Beach truck accident attorney can establish another party'
s negligence. To establish negligence for your legal claim, we need to:
Establish a Duty of Care
Our team must demonstrate that one or more other parties owed you a duty of care before your accident. All drivers owe one another this duty, which requires them to operate their vehicles in a reasonable way, so they do not unnecessarily endanger other motorists.
Trucking companies also have a duty to properly maintain their vehicles and to hire drivers who meet all federal and state standards.
Show a Breach of Duty
We need to prove that the at-fault party violated their duty to you. For example, we may need to establish that a trucker changed lanes without checking for your vehicle or failed to maintain a safe speed while operating a commercial vehicle.
Connect the Breach to Your Accident
Your West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer will need to show that the at-fault party's dangerous actions directly caused your collision. We cannot merely show that a driver behaved recklessly; we also need to prove that the action resulted in a crash.
Prove the Accident Caused Your Losses
Finally, our team needs to establish that the crash caused your injuries and financial losses to fully establish negligence. We can provide more information about how negligence works in a legal claim when you contact us for professional assistance.
Why Choose Us for Your Truck Accident Claim?
Choosing the right legal representation can make all the difference after a truck accident. Our team stands ready to address all of your legal concerns.
Truck accident victims turn to us for help due to:
Our Record of Success
With over a decade of successful claims, we have a track record that speaks for itself. Our firm has consistently secured substantial settlements and verdicts for our clients, offering hope for those in need.
Our Personal Commitment to Your Needs
Jarrett Blakeley and his team are lawyers who will get to know you, dedicating our time and resources to make your case our priority.
Our Contingency Fee System
You won't pay any legal fees until we fully resolve your legal claim. It's that simple. We never want to add to your financial strain after a collision.
Our Local Presence
With an office conveniently located in West Palm Beach off of Vista Parkway, we are at the heart of where you need us. Our firm's local insight into West Palm Beach helps us understand how accidents happen here and present your case most effectively.
Where Do Truck Accidents Happen in West Palm Beach?
The streets and highways in West Palm Beach see a significant amount of truck traffic. Accidents are common near Port St. Lucie Boulevard, Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, and Congress Avenue, near the Tanger Outlets, and anywhere on I-95.
Common Types of Truck Accidents We Handle
Truck accidents come in many forms, each presenting unique dangers and challenges in pursuing justice and compensation. We understand the complexities associated with different types of truck accidents and the injuries they cause.
Jackknife Accidents
A jackknife accident occurs when a large truck folds at the articulation point between the trailer and the cab, resembling a folding pocket knife. The trailer can sweep across multiple lanes, causing multi-vehicle collisions.
We can explain the common jackknife truck accident causes and injuries when you contact us for help. We can help with collisions caused by driver error, mechanical failure, or improper braking techniques.
We gather evidence from accident reports, black box data, and witness statements to build a compelling case demonstrating negligence.
Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents happen when a truck tips over onto its side or roof. High centers of gravity and abrupt maneuvers often contribute to these incidents, which can be fatal for the truck driver and nearby motorists.
We scrutinize the circumstances that led to the rollover, including road conditions, driver actions, and vehicle maintenance records. Our firm collaborates with accident reconstruction experts to establish liability and ensure that all responsible parties are held accountable.
Brake Failure Accidents
Faulty or poorly maintained brakes are a common cause of truck accidents. The results can be devastating when a truck cannot stop in time due to brake failure.
Our firm looks into maintenance logs and inspection records to identify inadequate brake maintenance. By proving negligent upkeep, we can hold the trucking company responsible for the resulting damages.
Underride Accidents
What is an underride crash, and why is it so dangerous? These crashes occur when a smaller passenger vehicle gets pushed under a large truck. Underride crashes often result in catastrophic injuries or death.
Blind Spot Accidents
We understand why blind spots cause so many truck accidents. Large commercial trucks have more blind spots than smaller vehicles, and these blind spots are larger. If truckers do not properly check blind spots before backing up, changing lanes, or moving through traffic, they can easily hit another vehicle without ever seeing the car.
Types of Injuries Caused by Trucking Accidents
Truck accidents often result in severe injuries due to the massive size and weight of these vehicles. Some injuries our firm sees from truck accidents include:
Fractures and Lacerations
Simple and complex fractures, as well as deep lacerations, are common in truck accidents. These injuries can require surgeries, physical therapy, and extended time away from work.
A West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer can document the immediate and long-term medical care required for your recovery, including any surgeries, treatments, and rehabilitation, ensuring that your settlement covers current and future medical expenses.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can have life-altering consequences. Even concussions can require extensive medical treatment and long-term care.
Our firm uses neurologists and other medical specialists to assess the full impact of a TBI on your life. We make sure that the cost of cognitive rehabilitation, therapy, and potential loss of life quality factor into your compensation.
Other Injuries
Truck accident victims may also need medical care for:
While we believe that even relatively minor injuries deserve compensation from liable parties, no injury is too severe for our firm to handle.
We Can Help After a Deadly Truck Crash
Truck collisions can have fatal results. After a deadly collision, your family can turn to a West Palm Beach wrongful death lawyer for compassionate and professional legal support. We understand what it takes to handle a wrongful death claim in Florida.
You can rely on us to handle all legal matters after the loss of a loved one, giving you the time you need to focus on your family's emotional needs.
We know that filing a wrongful death lawsuit cannot bring back a loved one, but it can bring your family a sense of closure and the funds you need to cover the financial pressures you experience after a deadly collision. You can reach out to us now to get the assistance your family deserves.
Time Limits on Trucking Accident Claims
You must move forward with your truck crash claim before Florida's personal injury statute of limitations expires. Generally, our state will only give you two years to take legal action against the at-fault party.
If you wait too long to file your claim, the court will dismiss any request you make for compensation.
How Long Does a Truck Crash Claim Take?
The time it takes to resolve your claim and secure fair compensation for your losses will depend on numerous factors. For example, it generally takes longer to resolve a claim if you file a lawsuit, instead of settling out of court with the insurance company.
Hiring a truck accident attorney in West Palm Beach can allow you to minimize the time you have to wait to get funds to cover your losses. We know how to expedite the legal process on behalf of our clients.
We Know How to Handle the Insurance Company
Insurance companies often offer settlements that are a fraction of what you deserve. At Blakeley Law Firm, we'
re experienced negotiators. We're prepared to push back against lowball offers and fight for a settlement that reflects the true cost of your losses.
We will tirelessly negotiate on your behalf, providing proof to back up the full extent of your losses. You can rely on us to carefully examine any settlement offers to ensure they fully cover your financial losses.
Do not sign any paperwork from the insurance company without discussing it with your West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer first. Once you sign a settlement agreement, you generally cannot request additional compensation.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in West Palm Beach?
When you find yourself in the unsettling aftermath of a truck accident, the road to recovery may seem uncertain and legally complex.
While the initial shock and the pressing medical concerns require immediate attention, the steps you take afterward can significantly improve your legal claim. You can help us establish a solid foundation for your case during this time.
Our team recommends that you:
You must report any truck crash to the police immediately. Reporting your accident allows the police to visit the scene and to file an official report to establish when, where, and how your crash took place.
Your West Palm Beach truck accident attorney will likely use the information in the official police accident report when building your claim.
Get Medical Care
You should seek prompt medical care after a trucking accident. Getting medical care right away will tie your injuries to the crash, making it harder for the insurance company to deny your claim or downplay the severity of your losses.
Gather Evidence if Possible
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may have a chance to collect evidence from the scene of your truck accident. We recommend that you:
- Take pictures of your injuries and the damage to your vehicle
- Get contact information from eyewitnesses and motorists involved in the crash
- Write down everything you remember about the collision
You can bolster the strength of your claim by taking these steps.
Talk to an Attorney
You should get professional assistance dealing with the legal process after a crash. Hiring a truck accident lawyer in West Palm Beach right away means you'll have someone on your side every step of the way, there to provide the support and guidance that you deserve.
Comparative Fault and Trucking Accidents
Fault matters in trucking crashes because of Florida's laws on comparative negligence. Under the legal codes in our state, you may still receive some compensation if you are partly to blame for the trucking accident.
Our laws state that you may receive a portion of your compensation as long as you hold less than 51% of the blame for a crash. However, the legal system will reduce the funds you receive based on your percentage of fault.
For example, let's say that you hold 20% of the fault for a truck crash and that you experienced $100,000 in losses. Under Florida's comparative negligence laws, you could receive up to $80,000 in compensation. We can provide more information about shared fault when you contact us for help.
Regulations for Truckers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued many regulations that trucking companies and truckers have to follow to legally operate large commercial vehicles. Florida follows these guidelines.
These regulations control everything from weight limits on large trucks to the number of hours a driver can work in a set period of time. They also control safety standards related to maintenance and cargo loading.
These regulations serve to minimize the dangers associated with operating large trucks. However, some companies and truckers ignore these rules. The decision to ignore regulations often results in collisions.
Talk to Us After a Truck Crash in West Palm Beach, FL
After a truck accident, we'
re ready to undertake the road to recovery with you. You can rely on a West Palm Beach truck accident attorney from our team at Blakeley Law Firm to put you first, guiding you through the legal process and helping with any challenges you face as we strive to bring you maximum compensation for your losses.
We're standing by to begin the legal process today, so don't hesitate to contact us.