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Pasco County, FL Truck Accident Lawyer

Few accidents are more devastating than those involving commercial trucks. Unfortunately, truck accidents occur far more often in the state of Florida than you may think. If you are someone who has been hurt in such an accident, you can rely on a seasoned Pasco County truck accident lawyer from The Law Offices of Matthew J. Jowanna to fight for the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled. Contact us today so we can get started working on your case.

Do I Need a Truck Accident Lawyer?

When a motor vehicle accident involves even one vehicle that is a truck, it can become a special hybrid of litigation all on its own. Not every “auto accident” lawyer has the specific experience to handle a trucking accident claim. Trucks used for intrastate and interstate shipping and transportation are governed by a specific and separate set of rules and regulations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations that do not apply to the average passenger car. These regulations and requirements can lead to evidence that a lawyer not familiar with these regulations may miss.

Seeking evidence is one thing; however, knowing what to specifically look for is another. If you seek consultation from other lawyers for a trucking accident claim, ask them to explain how the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations may affect the case. If they cannot tell you – run! Wesley Chapel, FL personal injury lawyer Matthew J. Jowanna has prosecuted and defended many cases specifically involving the trucking industry and its special set of rules and regulations.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Accidents involving 18-wheelers occur for various reasons. In many cases, they are caused by the same types of driver negligence that lead to most auto accidents, but there are also certain types of actions (or inactions) that are more specific to truck accidents alone. That said, just some of the most common causes of 18-wheeler accidents that we’ve seen over the years are as follows:

  • Defective brakes
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving while drowsy or fatigued
  • Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Mechanical failures
  • Reckless passing
  • Aggressive driving (e.g. speeding)
  • Failing to account for blind spots
  • Defective steering systems
  • Tire blowouts
  • Failing to obey traffic laws
  • Inclement weather conditions
  • Unqualified drivers

Filing a Personal Injury Claim After a Truck Accident

To win a personal injury claim of any sort, you will have to prove that you were hurt as a direct result of another party’s negligence. That said, filing claims against truck companies can be a bit more complex than other injury claims.

Often, truck companies have larger insurance policies than the average person, and often, they will hire aggressive lawyers to combat your claim at every turn. These companies may also try and destroy “black box” data or other crucial evidence, so it is paramount that you do everything you can to document the scene of the accident and hire a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer right away. Things you can do at the scene of the accident and afterward to improve your chances of winning a truck accident claim include:

  • Take pictures of any damage to vehicles or property
  • Get the trucker’s insurance information & license plate number
  • Call the police to the scene of the accident
  • Get medical treatment at once
  • Keep copies of all medical documentation and bills pertaining to your injuries
  • Hire a lawyer who can assemble evidence, work with experts (such as accident reconstructionists) and file a personal injury claim on your behalf

File On Time

There is a time limit when it comes to personal injury claims in Florida. In most cases, it is two years, meaning victims have two years from the date of their injury to file a claim, however, the statute of limitations can be shorter, depending on the circumstances of a given accident. For this reason, you should always file your claim sooner, rather than later.

Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident due to no fault of your own, our firm is ready to help. Contact a truck accident lawyer from our legal team so we can get started fighting for the compensation you deserve and need to heal.

Contact Us Today