A Spring Hill truck accident lawyer understands how frightening and devastating it can be to share the road with large semi-trucks. For many drivers, traveling next to or around tractor-trailers causes immediate tension, and for good reason. These massive vehicles are capable of inflicting catastrophic damage and life-altering injuries when a crash occurs.
As the demand for oversized commercial vehicles continues to grow, more semi-trucks are traveling on already crowded Spring Hill highways and freeways. This increase in truck traffic has led to a rise in serious truck accidents throughout the area.
If a negligent truck driver caused a collision that left you seriously injured, seeking help from an experienced accident attorney is critical. A knowledgeable Spring Hill truck accident lawyer has the skills, resources, and track record needed to pursue full compensation for your losses and protect your rights from day one.
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 the Florida Statutes, you only have two 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 Spring Hill truck accident lawyer 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. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means that the court can reduce your damages award by your percentage of fault. If your percentage of fault is 50 percent or greater, you will be unable to recover for your damages.
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. The Florida Statutes define 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?
According to the Florida Statutes, 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 lives. 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 Spring Hill truck accident lawyer and 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 injuries, 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 are 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 Lawyer
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. Call our firm today at 813-915-1110 for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can support you throughout your claim.