Trucks flow in and out of beautiful Ocala at all hours of the day and night.  Our society depends on them and their drivers. We also know the devastation when trucks are involved in accidents.

If you or a family member were hurt in a truck collision contact Ocala FL Trucking Accident Lawyer, Pam Olsen. She truly cares about people and has 30 years of experience representing and achieving the very best results for her clients. 

Call her at (352) 671-9777.  Or if you prefer, complete this simple form and she will be in touch right away.

We want you to know some of the key factors that go into a winning a trucking accident case in Florida.

Factors Making The Truck Driver Responsible

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration compiled trucking accident data and created a summary report. They found most crashes were caused by:

• Drifting out of the lane.
• Speeding. Either driving faster than the speed limit or faster than they should in bad weather.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Driving while texting or otherwise distracted.
• Driving while drowsy.

The Trucking Company Could Be Responsible

Often in a trucking accident more than one party is at fault. If the truck driver worked for a trucking company, we will investigate them. Here are some ways the company could be found negligent:

Incorrect Maintenance

The company is required to keep their trucks in top working condition. We may find that the truck involved in your crash had faulty equipment that should have been repaired or replaced by the company.

Improper Training

Truck drivers must carry a current and valid Commercial Driver’s License, and trucking companies must confirm this before hiring. If the truck driver in your accident did not have a proper CDL, this would be negligence on the part of the company.

The company must also provide ongoing driver training to its team members. If we discover the company was not doing this, it too points to negligence.

Improper Loading

Truckers drive, and other company team members load the truck. We will investigate to find whether there was improper loading causing the goods to shift dangerously in transit. Weight shifting in the container can cause trucks to lose control and lead to accidents. Again, a negligence factor against the company. 

Aspects of Investigating a Trucking Accident

Although not required by law, and surprising to many people, almost all trucks today are equipped with a black box. Just like the black boxes in airplanes, they add clarity to what exactly happened in a collision.

Trucking accidents usually cause great damage and make a lot of noise. Often there are one or more individuals who saw and heard what happened. Their testimony can be very useful.

Another source of information is footage from traffic cameras. They can sometimes gather good imagery to help determine if the driver was at fault. An experienced Ocala FL trucking accident lawyer can help you carry out proper investigation of the accident scene.

Proving Negligence With the Help of an Ocala FL Trucking Accident Lawyer

Truckers are taught extensive defensive driving skills and must demonstrate this knowledge in order to receive a CDL. To win a trucking accident claim we will seek to prove that the truck driver could have done one or more things differently to avoid the crash.

We don’t have to prove that the trucker caused the crash on purpose.

The police document their findings at the scene in an accident report. That report is often helpful because sometimes the police officer writes down who was at fault.

If the officer gives a ticket to the truck driver, that will be strong evidence for our case. If the accident report instead describes something mechanical not working properly on the truck, we can hold the truck owner or the trucker’s employer responsible.

Other Ways We Investigate

To file a claim for you requires supporting evidence showing that the negligence of the other party caused you harm. Additional forms of evidence we gather include:

• Photos from the accident scene
• Testimony from accident reconstruction specialists
• Testimony from your healthcare team
• The trucker’s driving logs
• Physical evidence from the accident scene

We can use your employment records, medical bills, and property damage invoices as proof of your damages.

Types of Truck Crash Injuries

Truck crashes sometimes result in fatalities. These are the most common kinds of injuries for those who survive. 

• Back and neck injuries
• Broken bones
• Head damages
• Organ damage
• Lacerations
• Rib and torso injuries

Expenses We Seek To Recover For You

Each situation is different, but these are some of the types of expenses we seek to recover:

• Doctor bills
• Pharmacy costs
• Physical therapy
• Mental health therapy
• Childcare costs
• Scarring
• Disfigurement
• Consortium loss
• Funeral expenses
• Property damage 
• Pain and suffering

Calculating Your Pain and Suffering

Many post-accident expenses come with documented specific dollar amounts. For example, visits to the doctor, physical therapist, pharmacist, and auto body shop.  Calculating mental and emotional suffering is not as straightforward.  In order to determine a monetary value we look at the following factors:

• Your diagnosis
• The ongoing treatment you will need
• The length of your recovery period
• The change in your quality of life
• How your relationships were affected
• Diminished work capabilities
• The cost of your financial losses

Florida courts do not cap the amount someone can receive for pain and suffering.

How Time Factors In

The statute of limitations to file a claim for a truck accident in Florida is four years. There are some exceptions and we could look into whether your case qualifies. This is why it is very important to speak to an Ocala FL Trucking Accident Lawyer immediately after such an accident.

Free Case Review

Before we embark on a legal claim together, we should talk together. We can help you know:

• How long it will likely take to reach a resolution
• Whether you need a lawyer
• The average settlement in truck accident cases

There is no obligation to review your case.

Contact Pam today at (352) 671-9777. Or if you prefer, you can complete this simple contact form and she will be in touch right away.