It’s important to understand your legal options if you were injured in an accident involving a large truck in Miami, FL. Truck accidents often leave occupants in smaller vehicles struggling with life-changing injuries. An experienced Miami truck accident lawyer can help you pursue fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and your pain and trauma.
At Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we have over 28 years of experience representing injury victims like you. We’ve successfully recovered over $100 million since we opened our law practice in 2007.
We’re here to stand up to the trucking companies and their insurance companies on your behalf. Call our law offices in Miami, Florida, at (407) 648-1510 to schedule a free consultation today.
Why Should I Trust Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers for Help With My Miami Truck Case?
Commercial vehicles are extremely large and heavy. Some can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds. Many transport dangerous cargo. When trucks crash into smaller vehicles, the occupants in those vehicles usually lose the most.
You may be entitled to significant compensation if you were injured. However, you’ll have to stand up to a large commercial insurance company. They’ll invest substantial resources to avoid paying a full settlement.
The last thing you need is a lengthy legal battle. A trusted Miami personal injury lawyer can handle the legal issues. At Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve been recognized by the Million Dollar Advocates’ Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates’ Forum for our winning results.
Hiring us gives you an advocate to:
- Conduct an independent investigation into your crash
- Evaluate your damages and make sure your injury claim is properly valued
- Seek damages from all parties who are legally liable for your damages
- Minimize your role in the accident if you’re blamed
- Consult experts who can help prove various elements of your case
- Negotiate with the insurers for a full settlement
Our Miami personal injury attorneys handle complex cases on a daily basis. We know how the system works. We’re ready to use our skills to your advantage, so call us today at (407) 648-1510.
How Common Are Truck Accidents and Injuries in Florida?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) publishes data on car accidents involving semi-trucks, big rigs and other large commercial vehicles. In 2023 alone, 9,576 motor vehicle accidents involving large trucks were reported across Florida.
Overall, 4,508 people were injured in those truck crashes. Unfortunately, 298 people were killed in fatal trucking accidents that year.
In other words, over 13 people in Florida were injured or killed in large truck accidents every single day during 2023.
What Is My Miami Truck Accident Case Worth?
It’s virtually impossible to get a full settlement if you don’t know how much you deserve.
Different facts will be important when assessing your case value, including:
- The types of injuries involved
- The long-term consequences you will face due to those injuries
- Your current expenses, including medical treatment and vehicle repair costs
- Whether you’re able to work during recovery
- The value of your lost income
- Whether you’ll ever return to work in the same capacity
- The extent of your physical pain and emotional suffering
- Whether you took appropriate steps to mitigate damages
- Whether you also share blame for causing the accident
You should expect to deal with the trucking company’s commercial insurance company if your injuries are severe. Your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage probably won’t cover all of your losses. These companies often go to great lengths to downplay a victim’s injuries.
If you or a family member were hurt, call our team today. We can offer more information about your case value in a free case review.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Truck Accident Victims in Miami?
In Florida personal injury cases, victims can seek compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages. You may be entitled to file a truck driver and truck company complaint, among other potential legal options.
Depending on the types of losses you have suffered, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Nursing care
- In-home assistance or modifications
- Property damage and vehicle repair costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical disfigurement or scarring
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages are only available in rare cases. You may be entitled to seek punitive damages if there is clear evidence that the defendant intentionally hurt you or displayed a reckless disregard for your safety.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Lawyer in Miami-Dade County?
Personal injury law firms in Miami usually work on a contingency fee basis. When you hire our team, you’ll agree to pay a set percentage of the compensation we recover in your case. You won’t have to worry about retainers or upfront/hourly fees.
With a contingency fee, we only get paid if we successfully handle your case.
Can I Recover Damages if I’m Being Blamed for a Truck Accident in Florida?
You can recover damages as long as you aren’t assigned most of the blame. Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence law, you cannot recover damages if you are more than 50% responsible. When you share partial responsibility, your compensation is reduced according to your percentage of fault.
Our Lawyers in Miami Will Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Truck Accident Injuries
When a large, heavy truck crashes into a smaller passenger vehicle, the results can be catastrophic.
At Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers, represent all accident victims, including those who have sustained:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve injuries
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue damage
- Shoulder injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Crushing injuries
- Chest injuries
- Back injuries
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Burn injuries
- Degloving injuries
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Always seek medical attention quickly if you are involved in a truck accident. Prompt medical care can make a world of difference to your health and to your right to recover compensation.
What Causes Most Large Truck Accidents in Miami?
Many truck drivers spend the entire day on the road. Even if the driver follows FMCSA’s hours-of-service rules, a long shift behind the wheel can be exhausting. Sometimes, the driver’s exhaustion is all it takes to cause a crash.
That said, truck wrecks can happen for many different reasons, including:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Veering into another lane
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Failure to check blind spots
- Aggressive driving
- Dangerous turns
- Failure to account for the vehicle’s longer stopping times
- Ignoring traffic signs
- Drunk driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Inexperienced truck drivers
Problems with the vehicle can also contribute to the cause of a crash. The FMCSA has rules that require trucking companies to conduct regular inspections. Unfortunately, some trucking companies skip inspections to save time and money.
Some common vehicle-related factors include:
- Mechanical failures
- Worn tires
- Faulty brakes
- Broken or malfunctioning lights
- Overloading the trailer
- Failure to properly hitch the tractor to the trailer
You must understand why your accident occurred to recover fair compensation from all responsible parties. You can count on our lawyers in Miami to conduct our own investigation to find out what happened.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Truck Accident in Florida?
Most accident claims are based on negligence.
The elements of negligence are:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
Our Miami truck accident attorneys are prepared to help you locate the evidence to prove your case.
That evidence might include:
- The truck’s black box recording device
- Video surveillance footage from dash cams or traffic lights
- Eyewitnesses
- Police and accident reports
- The driver’s hours-of-service log
- Inspection and maintenance reports
- The driver’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) qualifications
- Past safety violations
- Cell phone records
We’ll also evaluate your medical records and work closely with your doctors to assess the value of your damages.
Who Is Liable for My Damages After a Truck Accident in Miami?
You may be wondering how you can possibly recover full compensation if the truck driver caused your injuries. While a negligent truck driver may have caused your accident, someone else may be legally responsible.
Depending on the facts, you may deserve compensation from:
- Trucking companies that employ negligent truck drivers
- Companies responsible for the vehicle’s cargo
- Maintenance and inspection companies
- Manufacturers of defective truck safety equipment
- Truck leasing companies
- Negligent third-party motorists
The identity of the responsible party depends on the circumstances. However, under federal regulations, the trucking company can be held responsible for the driver’s actions. That’s true regardless of whether the driver is classified as an independent contractor or employee.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident in Florida?
In Florida, you only have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is called the statute of limitations. Once the deadline passes, you cannot sue for damages unless a rare exception applies.
There are exceptions to this time limit in some cases, so get in touch with us as soon as you can for help.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Miami Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Were you or a loved one injured in a truck accident? You deserve the strongest legal representation possible. Contact Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers to learn more about how an experienced Miami truck accident lawyer can help with your case.
