Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Attorney

Were You Seriously Injured by a Semi-Truck in Florida? Call (954) 467-8800

Truck accidents often result in life-changing injuries and even death. Even in cases where the truck driver is clearly at fault, trucking companies often train their drivers on what to say following an accident in order to avoid blame. Insurance companies also have a vested interest in shifting the blame away from their customers, making it incredibly important to hire an experienced Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorney. Schlesinger Law Offices in South Florida is here to help you file your claim and fight to secure the compensation you are owed.

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You May Be Entitled to Compensatory Damages After a Truck Accident

If you were seriously injured by a reckless or negligent truck driver in Florida, you may be able to file a lawsuit and fight for the compensation you need to cover your medical bills and any other damages you may have incurred.

Your truck accident claim may consist of economic, non-economic, and punitive damages, including:

Hospital bills and doctor visited
Missed time at work and loss of potential earnings
Damage to your vehicle
Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
Loss of companionship and quality of life

Injured in a Truck Accident? We Can Help

Our Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorneys have worked with thousands of victims since we first opened our doors, and we are ready and waiting to use the experience we’ve gained to help you prepare a plan of action that best suits your needs. Call (954) 467-8800 today to learn more about what we can do for you.

Schedule A Free Consultation

Learn more about how we can help with your case during a free initial evaluation. Give our award winning attorneys a call at (954) 467-8800, or contact us online to schedule a time to speak with a member of our team.

Choose the Firm that Gets Results

Is it Worth Hiring a Lawyer After a Truck Accident?

An experienced personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale understands the unique challenges posed by these cases. Unlike passenger car accidents, commercial truck accidents can involve multiple parties including the car driver, truck driver, and trucking company. In addition, federal regulations apply to the trucking industry, which can make these cases even more complex. As a result, it is important to have an experienced lawyer on your side who can navigate the legal system and fight for your rights.

Our truck accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale can handle all the work related to your truck accident case so that you can focus on your recovery. We will investigate the accident, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. Our legal team has a deep understanding of the law and knows how to build a strong case to get you the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Fort Lauderdale, don't hesitate to contact our personal injury lawyers today.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Florida?

Truck drivers receive training and certifications to operate their trucks. Due to the training and certification involved, truckers tend to be held to a higher standard than most drivers. It is still very common for truck accidents to occur. Some truck accidents are unavoidable, but most come down to the negligence of either the driver or the truck maintenance crew.

According to the Federal Motor Car Carrier Safety Administration the most common causes of truck accidents are:

The driver veering into other lanes
Loss of control
Illegal turns
Speeding
Tailgating
Brake failure
Tire blowouts
Driver fatigue

How Dangerous Are Semi-Trucks?

While any type of motor vehicle accident is a threat to other drivers on the road, accidents involving trucks are exponentially more dangerous due to the sheer size of the vehicles involved. These trucks, whether it's an 18-wheeler or a semi-truck, can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds and are more to steer, take considerably longer to come to a complete stop, and have much larger blind spots than a typical passenger car. In the event of a crash, the truck can also flip over and scatter its cargo across the road, creating additional hazards.

Determining Who Was At Fault for Your Injuries After a Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident

Truck drivers and the companies that employ them must adhere to strict federal safety standards. Violating any one of these regulations is an act of negligence that can cause serious harm to other drivers on the road. Some truck accidents are unavoidable, but most come down to negligence.

Some of the potential causes of your accident could be:

The truck driver was distracted, talking on the phone
The truck driver violated hours of service and was overtired
The truck driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol
The trucking company failed to maintain the vehicle
The trucking company hired a driver with a bad record
The truck was built with defective parts

Only an attorney experienced in trucking accident claims can fully investigate your crash and create an irrefutable case. At Schlesinger Law Offices, P.A., our Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyers have dedicated their careers to providing injured victims with the experienced and passionate representation they deserve in their time of need. Ever since we first opened our doors more than 60 years ago, we have helped our clients recover hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements.

Truck Accident FAQ

How long do I have to file a claim after a truck accident in Fort Lauderdale, FL?

In Fort Lauderdale, FL, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim after a truck accident is four years from the date of the accident.

It is important to note that while four years may seem like a long time, it is important to take action as soon as possible after the accident. This will help ensure that evidence is preserved and witnesses can be located and interviewed while their memories are still fresh. It is also important to consult with an experienced truck accident attorney who can guide you through the legal process and help you understand your rights and options.

What evidence should I gather after a truck accident?

If you are involved in a truck accident, it is important to gather as much evidence as possible to help support your injury claim. Here are some types of evidence that our team will help you to gather:

Contact information: You will need the contact information of the other driver, as well as any witnesses who may have seen the accident.
Photos and videos: You should take photos and videos of the accident scene, the damage to the vehicles, any injuries sustained, and any other important details.
Police report: You will need to get a copy of the police report, which will contain important details about the accident, including the cause, the time and location, and the parties involved.
Medical records: You should keep copies of all medical records and bills related to any injuries sustained in the accident.
Maintenance records: If the accident was caused by a mechanical failure or other issue with the truck, we will work to obtain any maintenance or inspection records for the vehicle.
Driver log books: We will request copies of the driver’s logbooks to determine whether they were in compliance with federal and state regulations regarding hours of service.
Black box data: Many commercial trucks are equipped with event data recorders, which can provide valuable information about the speed of the truck, whether the brakes were applied, and other factors that may have contributed to the accident. This is something our team will work to obtain.

Can I still file a claim if I was partially at fault for the truck accident?

Yes, you can still file a claim, however, the damages you are able to recover may be reduced if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident and your resulting injuries. Florida is a comparative negligence state, which means that if the plaintiff is found to be partially at-fault for their own injuries, their settlement amount may be reduced proportionate to the amount of fault they hold. However, this does not mean that you are prevented from pursuing compensation. Don’t let this deter you from speaking with one of our attorneys!