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Hit By a Semi-Truck: What are My Options?

Hit By a Semi-Truck What are My OptionsBeing involved in an accident with a semi-truck in Florida can be a traumatic and devastating experience.

This type of accident often causes severe, and in some cases permanent, injuries and it can be difficult to know what your options are following this ordeal.

There are potentially a number of parties that may be ultimately responsible in your case, and an experienced personal injury attorney in Florida will be able to help.

In the Pensacola area, victims of semi-truck accidents come to Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon for quality legal representation in their case. Call the office or contact us today to learn more.

Liability in a Semi-Truck Accident

After getting hit by a semi-truck in Florida, there may be one or more parties responsible for the injuries inflicted by the accident. One person who may be held responsible for the accident is the driver of the semi-truck. If the accident was caused by unsafe driving activities, such as texting and driving, driving drowsy, or failing to obey traffic laws, the driver will be held liable for the accident.

If the driver was speeding or driving in an unsafe manner because of his employer, the trucking company may also be held liable for your injuries. The trucking company can also be liable if they fail to properly inspect their trucks or fail to screen their drivers for a good driving history. Finally, if the semi-truck accident was caused by an equipment failure, the manufacturer of the truck may be held responsible for the accident. Common examples include a brake failure, tire blowout, or axle breaking on the vehicle.

Compensation for Your Injuries

Compensation for your injuries after your car is hit by a semi-truck includes payment for both economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages repay you for all out-of-pocket expenses, such as medical bills, property damage, and lost wages, among others. Noneconomic damages compensate you for pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and disability. In the worst cases of semi-truck accidents, where a victim dies from their injuries after being hit, the family can also seek additional compensation in the form of a wrongful death claim.

However, it is important to know that your options for filing a claim against those responsible for a semi-truck accident are limited to a short window after the accident. In Florida, the victim of a semi-truck accident has four years from the date of the accident in which to file a claim for compensation. Failure to do so can mean that the court throws out your case and bars you from recovery. This is why it is critical that you speak with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney about your case right away.

Talk to Our Office Now

To learn more about your legal options after being hit by a semi-truck in Florida, call the office or contact us today at the law office of Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys now.