18 Wheeler Accident Lawyers Vero Beach

If you are hurt in a collision with a big rig, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the truck driver, the trucking company, and other parties (such as the manufacturer of a dangerous or defective part). Typically, these cases are based on a theory of negligence or carelessness. In some cases, you may pursue a claim for reckless or intentional conduct – like drunk driving.

Under Florida law, employers (such as trucking companies) can be held responsible for the actions of their employees under the doctrine of respondeat superior.  Under this theory, an accident victim can file a personal injury lawsuit against a trucking company – and not just the trucker. This is important because the company is much more likely to have a large insurance policy, which means that you are more likely to get the compensation that you deserve for your losses.

Importantly, truck accidents are different – and often more complicated – than a typical car accident claim for several reasons. First, in an 18-wheeler accident, victims often have much more severe injuries given the difference in size between the vehicles. When an injury victim suffers catastrophic injuries, insurance companies may be more likely to aggressively defend the claim given the potential for a large verdict or settlement.

Second, commercial motor vehicles are regulated by both state and federal law, which means that there is often more -and more complex – evidence to digest. This can include everything from black box data to hours of service logs to maintenance records. All of this evidence is important to help prove your claim but requires the assistance of an experienced legal team to digest the information.

Third, a typical auto accident claim involves just one company – the insurance company, and an at-fault driver. With an 18-wheeler accident, there will often be at least two corporations involved – the trucking company and its insurer. They will typically have teams of lawyers and adjusters working hard to ensure that they pay out as little as possible on the claim.

Most personal injury claims are resolved outside of the courtroom. It may still be necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit to preserve your rights under Florida law. Filing a lawsuit does not mean that your case will go to trial. Instead, it is an opportunity for your lawyers to continue negotiations and fight to get you fair compensation for your claim.