For most driving next to or around large semi-trucks can make you tense up, and want to get away from them. Trucks are capable of causing a huge amount of damage and life-altering injuries.
Due to the increasing demand for oversized commercial vehicles to transport consumer goods across the county, the number of semi-trucks on roads has risen. With the rising presence of tractor-trailers on already overcrowded Spring Hill highways and freeways truck accidents are becoming more and more frequent.
If a negligent trucker struck your car, causing you to suffer significant injuries, you will want to consider seeking help from a seasoned accident attorney that has the skills, track record, and resources to help you successfully seek compensation for your losses. Call a Spring Hill truck accident lawyer today, and we can start to work on your case.
Filing Your Semi-Truck Collision Claim On Time
If you were recently involved in a truck collision, you need to act quickly. The statute of limitations sets a deadline for filing accident cases. According to Florida Statutes § 95.11(3), you only have four years from the date of the injury to file. If you do not submit your claim within this period, you may lose the right to seek monetary damages. Because dealing with the legal system immediately after a tractor-trailer accident can be overwhelming, you should seek legal help from a qualified attorney.
How Does Negligence Work in Truck Accident Claims?
To prove negligence in a truck accident claim, you and your attorney must show that the other party owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and directly caused your damages. However, the trucker may claim you were negligent as well.
If the court finds that you are partially responsible for your injuries, you may not receive the full damages award. Under Fla. Stat. § 768.81(2), the court can reduce your damages award by your percentage of fault.
Recoverable Damages Available in Tractor-Trailer Accident Cases
After suffering injuries in a truck crash, you can seek compensatory and punitive damages. Compensatory damages consist of economic and non-economic losses, while punitive damages are awarded in cases of gross negligence. Fla. Stat. § 766.202(3) defines economic damages as losses suffered due to a person’s accidental injuries. Common examples of these losses include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
Non-economic damages refer to intangible losses, such as:
- Disfigurements
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Are There Damage Caps in Spring Hill Injury Cases?
Under Fla. Stat. § 768.73(1)(a), there is a cap on punitive damage awards. The court may not award more than three times the amount of compensatory damages awarded to each injured party or $500,000, whichever of the two is greater. To maximize your potential amount of compensation, you should retain the services of an injury attorney familiar with truck accident claims.
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help Your Claim?
Due to the severity of truck accidents, we oftentimes see clients with long-term injuries that will affect them throughout their life. The expenses for ongoing medical care and wage losses over the span of your life need to be factored into what you deserve, not just the short-term damages the accident caused. By having a team like Hancock Injury Attorneys behind you we can make sure everything that needs to be done to secure a fair settlement is done correctly, such as:
- Investigating the accident and determining the liable party or parties such as the truck driver, trucking company, and/or third-party companies
- Hiring third-party experts to perform accident reconstructions, evaluate the extent of your injures, and determine if the maintenance history of the truck had to do with the accident
- Collect all documents including bills, records, insurance information, and other essential documents
- File a lawsuit and argue your case in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached otherwise
Your health and well-being is our number one concern. While we handle gathering information and negotiating with the at-fault party, we want you to focus on healing from your injuries.
Discuss Your Injury Claim with a Spring Hill Truck Accident Attorney
Trucking accidents are some of the most devastating types of motor vehicle collisions on Hernando County’s roadways. If you were seriously injured in a semi-truck crash, Hancock Injury Attorneys can provide you with legal assistance.
A Spring Hill truck accident lawyer can help you build a case against the other party and seek compensation for your losses. Reach out to our firm today for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can support you throughout your claim.