Myakka Truck Accident Lawyer

Key Highlights

• Myakka truck accident lawyer assists with investigation, insurance, and lawsuits following truck accidents.
• The Alpha Law Group focuses on truck accident cases dealing with commercial carriers to hold them accountable for injuries in Florida.
• Truck accidents occur on Florida roadways every day involving 18 wheelers, delivery trucks, and fleet vehicles.
• Victims of truck accidents can seek compensation for medical (healthcare field only), lost wages, long-term damage, etc.
• Myakka has many of the common truck accident locations (causing potentially fatal truck crashes on SR70 and rural roads near Myakka).

Myakka Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me for Fast Legal Action

You need to find the best truck accident lawyer near you who takes immediate action when you need it most. A truck accident can lead to months or years worth of mounting medical bills, and evidence may be lost very quickly.

My name is Alex J. Kompothecras, from Alpha Law Group, and we will intervene during the earliest stages of your case: preserving evidence of your accident before it is lost, and requesting the records of trucking companies involved in your accident. We, then proceed with preventing you from taking unsolicited calls from the insurance company truck accident and immediately begin the investigation to determine who caused the crash.

Heavy truck traffic passes through Myakka daily using the three main routes connecting Sarasota, Arcadia, and I-75. Therefore, the risk of a truck accident collision is increased due to high speed and mixed traffic (including cars and trucks).

Semi Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me for Severe Injury Claims

There are many crashes that take place with semi trucks, which typically have a lot of force that leads to injuries. There is often a high chance of severe injury/lifelong injury in semi-truck accident cases. Semi truck accident cases differ from normal automobile accident cases in the following ways:

• Federal regulations apply (FMCSA regulations)
• Driver records must be reviewed
• Maintenance records of the truck are an important part of the case
• Cargo loading record can also be used in determining liability

That is why it is important to consult a semi truck accident attorney near you when in a truck accident. The Alpha Law Group establishes a solid case based on violations of federal trucking regulations, as well as corporate negligence.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) report, there has been a significant uptick in the number of large truck crashes on rural connectors, which is attributed primarily to a lack of lighting and high-speed traffic flow.

Who Is Responsible in a Truck Crash Case?

While the driver will likely be targeted as a primary causal factor, this is seldom the case. There are multiple contributors involved in causing a large truck crash; therefore, you must look beyond the driver’s fault and assess how the entire system has failed.

An experienced truck accident attorney located in Myakka will identify and evaluate the various layers of authority controlling the operation of the truck.

Responsibility of the Driver

Generally, some standard causes of truck accidents involving truck drivers include: 

• Fatigue due to extremely long driving hours far beyond acceptable limits 
• Speeding while operating on the rural highway and driving
• Distracted due to using mobile devices or other onboard systems while driving
• Pressure to make deliveries within specified time frames 
• Ignoring required rest breaks as required by federal regulations 
• Violations of driver logs and GPS reports that could be subject to the same claims as the driver

Trucking company responsibility

Truckers are in charge of hiring employees, setting routes for their trucks and ensuring that their drivers are following safe practices while on the road. They must make sure that each driver has passed extensive background checks prior to hiring, and does not feel pressured to meet unrealistic delivery times. It is important to ensure that the driver is not fatigued from working long hours, has his or her truck inspected regularly, and knows about any mechanical problems with the truck prior to operating it. 

In Florida, this type of negligence will make your case stronger if you can show that the trucking company was not following federal regulations regarding the trucks and their drivers.

Cargo loading company’s responsibility

The company responsible for loading cargo onto a truck has to take into account how the weight will affect and how the truck will perform while driving. There are several ways to improperly load cargo, including improperly distributing the weight of the cargo, overloading the trailer beyond the legal weight limit, not properly securing the cargo, and failing to check the load balance prior to moving the truck. If the cargo shifts while being transported, it could cause the truck to roll over, jackknife, or lose control at high speeds.

Maintenance provider responsibility

Some trucks are maintained by companies that specialize in truck repair. There are several things the company is usually blamed for when it comes to how well a truck operates, including not correcting problems such as braking issues, neglecting or failing to replace damaged tires, failing to properly repair steering or suspension systems, and/or missing safety inspections. Maintenance records that can be produced from those repairs often become important evidence in a lawsuit resulting from a truck crash.

Vehicle manufacturer’s responsibility

There are some crashes caused by manufacturers due to product defects and/or design flaws. Some examples are brake system design flaws, failing to properly manufacture tires, steering system defects, and/or electronic control system defects. These types of cases can fall under both injury lawsuits as well as product liability cases.

Why multiple parties matter?

In truck crash attorney cases, there is often a complex distribution of liability among many different parties. One person’s error may trigger an entire series of system failures. Big truck accident lawyers investigate every aspect of the collision, including the following:

• Identifying every party that may be legally responsible
• Analyzing how records, inspections, and data transactions interact
• Determining how each of those failures led to the incident of the collision
• Scrutinizing every source available for the maximum potential recovery

A law firm will create an investigation for truck accident claims that establish a strong case by looking at the full chain of liability rather than just focusing on the truck driver.

Truck Accident Law Firm vs Insurance Companies

Insurance companies employ very aggressive strategies to minimize truck accident settlements. They typically start their barrage of pressure on victims as soon as possible after a collision.

Their methods could include collecting statements from accident victims, while they may be very vulnerable. Or they could make lowball settlement offers immediately after the collision. They can also create delays in their claim processing or use the denial of benefit strategy.

The Alpha Law Group will block this early pressure and create a more even flow of communication between the parties to the claim. In most cases, the trucking insurance companies that are involved in these truck accidents represent fleets with insurance policy limits greater than $750,000 and with many other factors to each policy that can often exceed millions of dollars.

5 Main Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle

Our trucking accident attorneys at Alpha Law Group, representing clients across Florida, specialize in various types of commercial trucking claims. There are five different types of truck-related claims:

1. accidents involving 18-wheelers and delivery trucks 
2. accidents caused by commercial trucks
3. accidents caused by big rig trucks (e.g., sleeper cabs) 
4. negligent operation of a big rig truck near the client 
5. accidents resulting from the negligent operation of a fleet vehicle.

 Each of these claims requires a different evidence collection strategy and separate insurance analysis.

Truck Accident Lawsuit Process in Florida

A Florida truck accident lawyer establishes the truck accident injury claim process as follows: 

Step 1: Investigation

Investigation includes looking at the scene of the accident, taking witness statements & analyzing police reports. 

Step 2: Evidence collection

Evidence can be obtained from downloading the black box, reviewing the driver’s log and looking at maintenance records. 

Step 3: Claim filing

In order to file a claim, you must send in an insurance claim and proof of liability. 

Step 4: Negotiation

Once you have filed a claim, you will enter into negotiations with the insurance carrier regarding settlement amounts and how much your injuries are worth. 

Step 5: Trial stage

If you cannot reach an agreement with the insurance company, you can then proceed to file a lawsuit and go through a trial where experts testify on your behalf. 

Most claims settle prior to going to trial, but being prepared with the proper documentation, photographs & witness statements will result in a higher settlement amount for your claim.

How Long Does a Truck Accident Settlement Take?

When you can expect your trucking accident settlement depends on the stage of recovery for your injuries. Also, the level of cooperation you are receiving from the trucking company’s insurance company also matters. It is also important how strong the evidence is related to the accident and the number of responsible parties in the accident.

Typically, simple trucking accident cases will take months or less to settle while more complex cases may take over a year.

Compensation You Can Recover

Claims related to truck accidents can be made for different types of damages, such as:

1. Injuries/medical treatment
2. Future care
3. Loss of income
4. Diminished ability to earn money
5. Pain and suffering
6. Emotional distress
7. Damage to property

Under Florida law, a party making a claim for damages due to a truck accident may be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages, depending upon how strong their case is.

Case Study: Holding Negligence Accountable in a Myakka Truck Accident Case

By Attorney Alex J. Kompothecras, Alpha Law Group

One week prior to the truck accident, a 44-year-old construction worker from Myakka was injured in a truck accident when a commercial 18-wheeler crossed into the worker’s lane of travel on State Road 70. 

The truck company claimed that the driver of the truck acted appropriately and therefore it was an unavoidable collision because of rapidly changing traffic conditions. However, when our firm received early evidence in the form of the truck’s ECM (also referred to as the black box) and driver logbook, we were able to show (through an extensive investigation) that the truck driver had driven beyond the limits established for his hours of service and was operating while fatigued at the time of the truck accident. 

In addition, we also found evidence that the truck’s brake system had not been properly repaired and had been delayed. The firm worked with accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals to support the claim. 

The reconstruction indicated that the truck did not stop in a timely manner because of a combination of excessive speed and diminished braking ability. The medical professionals confirmed the long-term mobility limitations caused and the need for continued rehabilitation.

Result

The lawsuit was settled for a substantial amount of money before trial. Compensation included emergency services for treatment, multiple surgeries, future physical therapy, lost wages, and long-term disability benefits. Due to the forensic evidence that linked the driver’s fatigue and maintenance issues to the crash, the trucking company and its insurance company accepted liability for the wreck.

The settlement allowed for the victim to pay for ongoing care and reduce the need for lengthy litigation. Additionally, the parties responsible for the crash were held accountable without requiring the victim to go through years of litigation to seek justice.

Speak with our Attorney

The Alpha Law Group understands how quickly someone’s life can be impacted by a truck accident. Evidence disappears quickly following a collision, and commercial trucking companies act quickly to protect their interests.

If you have been injured by a truck accident or someone you know has been injured, contact the Alpha Law Group at (941)-304-1500 today for a free consultation on the legal steps you can take. You will receive clear answers on what your options are and a structured plan to get full compensation.

FAQs

What does a truck accident lawyer do?

Truck accident lawyers gather evidence and conduct investigations into truck accidents. Truck accident lawyers will handle your negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company or take your case to court if no settlement can be agreed upon.

How many trucking accidents happen a Year?

According to state crash data reports, thousands of large truck accidents occur each year in Florida.

How much is usually awarded for pain and suffering in Florida?

The amount of compensation you will receive for your pain and suffering depends on how severely you were hurt. Serious injuries can yield hundreds of thousands of dollars if there is strong medical documentation to support your case.

What kind of lawyer do I need to sue a trucking company?

To sue a trucking company, you will want to use a truck accident lawyer who has experience with commercial trucking liability and knowledge of federal regulations.

How much are most truck accident settlements?

It really depends on how serious the injuries are and how strong the case is. Some settlements may be in the tens of thousands for minor injuries, while more serious cases can reach hundreds of thousands or even millions.