Tractor-trailers and other commercial trucks have the potential to destroy any vehicle that may cross their path. For this reason, it is essential that truck drivers and those responsible for the safety and maintenance of trucks do their part to keep these vehicles safe for not only the truck driver, but other drivers on the roads, as well.
When these parties act negligently, and you suffer serious injuries due to this negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. A Florence truck accident lawyer at Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers can analyze the details of your case to determine who should compensate you for your suffering.
Types of Truck Accidents in Florence
Truck accidents in Florence can take many forms. If you have been involved in any of the following types of truck accidents, our firm may be able to help you recover compensation for your damages:
- Tanker truck accidents
- Bucket truck accidents
- Tractor-trailer accidents
- Railroad crossing accidents
- Hazardous cargo and spills
- Defective products
- Ambulance accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Dump truck accidents
- 15-passenger van accidents
- DUI truck accidents
- Negligent hiring of truck drivers
- Negligent design and road construction
- Negligent road safety
- Utility truck accidents
- Firetruck accidents
These are only a few of the types of truck accidents our firm has experience in handling. If you were injured in another type of truck accident not listed above, you may still have the right to financial compensation. A personal injury attorney can help you find out.
Get a FREE Case Review by Calling The Hammer Now.
FMCSA Regulations That Could Affect Your Claim
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is responsible for overseeing the trucking industry. There are many rules and regulations that trucking companies and truck drivers must adhere to. Some of these include:
- Truck companies are required to keep driver log records
- Commercial truck drivers are required to possess a commercial driver’s license (CDL)
- Trucking companies are required to maintain records for set periods
- Blackbox data must be preserved and stored properly
- Truck drivers are only allowed to work a certain number of hours per shift without taking a break
- Truck companies need to give truck drivers a minimum number of days off after working a specific number of consecutive days
Any violation of these regulations could signal that the trucking company or truck driver is responsible for the injuries you sustained.
Causes of Florence Truck Accidents
Trucks are considerably larger than the majority of other motor vehicles. This can make them more difficult to maneuver, so truck drivers need to remain cognizant of their surroundings at all times while operating their trucks.
Unfortunately, truck driver negligence is one of the most common causes of truck accidents. Some of the types of negligent driving truckers engage in include:
- Failure to maintain enough stopping distance
- Failure to adhere to posted speed limits
- Tailgating
- Driving too fast for road conditions
- Failure to stop
- Failure to use a turn signal
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Driving while fatigued
- Making illegal maneuvers
- The truck being overweight
- Inadequate surveillance of the truck driver
- Truck maintenance issues
Liability for Truck Accidents in Florence
To recover full and fair compensation for your damages, your truck accident lawyer serving Florence will need to determine who is responsible for causing your truck accident. Some of the parties found liable for causing truck accidents may include:
- The freight shipper
- The manufacturer of defective truck equipment
- The trucking company
- The truck driver
- Cargo loaders
- The owner of the truck
- The owner of the trailer
- The trailer leasing company
- Local, state, and federal government agencies responsible for maintaining the safety and integrity of the roadways
Your attorney will conduct an in-depth investigation into your accident. Working with accident reconstructionists and other experts to establish liability, your Florence truck accident attorney will gather the evidence needed to support your case.
What to Expect from the Insurance Company
Do not be surprised if multiple parties share liability for your injuries after your trucking accident. Unfortunately, that makes dealing with the insurance company that much more difficult. This is partly because there may be multiple insurance companies to deal with. Each liable party may have separate insurance coverage, or they may have joint insurance policies.
However, trucking companies must carry higher amounts of motor vehicle insurance than other drivers. This is partly because commercial trucks have been known to, and have the potential to, cause catastrophic and life-threatening injuries.
Sadly, the insurance company is not looking out for your best interest. Each insurance company may try to avoid settling your claim fairly. This is because insurance companies are for-profit agencies. By settling your claim, the company will lose money.
Get a FREE Case Review by Calling The Hammer Now.
What to Do If the Insurance Company Asks You for a Statement
One of the ways insurance companies may try to take advantage of truck accident victims is by asking them to give a statement. When you provide a well-intentioned statement to an insurance company, the insurance adjuster may then manipulate your words to make it seem as though you have admitted fault for the accident. If this happens, your injury settlement could be reduced due to Kentucky shared fault laws under KY Rev Stat § 411.182.
This is only one of the possible ways insurance companies take advantage of truck accident victims. If you hope to avoid being taken advantage of during your time of need, have your truck accident attorney handle the negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf. Direct the insurance company to your attorney for a statement, and focus on your recovery while your attorney handles the legal details of your case.
A Truck Accident Attorney Serving Florence Can Help You Seek Compensation
The truck accident claims process can often be overwhelming. When you have a Florence truck accident lawyer by your side, you could feel confident in your decision to move forward with your claim.
Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers today when you call our office.
