Naples Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer
How many times have you heard a report of a major accident on I-75 involving a tractor trailer? Hopefully, you have never been personally involved in such an event. But if you are, then you need to understand how the law works when it comes to seeking compensation for your injuries.
Tractor trailer accidents are rarely “fender benders.” They are often multi-vehicle crashes that involve a loss of life or serious injury to multiple victims. Such collisions are often the result of negligence, either by the truck driver or another party involved with owning, maintaining, or loading the vehicle. This is why it is important to work with a qualified Naples tractor trailer accident lawyer who can fully review the circumstances leading up to your crash. At Cardinal Law, P.A., we represent individuals such as yourself whose lives have been suddenly upended by a crash involving a commercial truck.
What Causes Tractor Trailer Accidents?
Commercial tractor trailers are complex vehicles. That means a lot can go wrong when operating one on public roads. Some of the more common scenarios that can lead to a tractor trailer accident include:
- driver fatigue due to spending too many hours on the road without a break or rest period;
- a driver who is using controlled substances, such as drugs or alcohol, while operating their tractor trailer;
- driver error, such as exceeding the posted speed limit or failing to monitor a blind spot;
- a mechanical failure in the tractor trailer itself, possibly due to improper maintenance or a defective part; and
- poor weather conditions or faulty road design.
In reality, a tractor accident may have multiple causes or contributing factors. This is just one reason you should engage a skilled tractor trailer accident lawyer as soon as possible. You never want to assume the cause of an accident was one specific thing. Further investigation may reveal multiple parties who are at-fault, and thus can be sued to recover damages.
What Damages Can I Seek Following a Tractor Trailer Accident?
With any personal injury claim, the victim is allowed to seek damages, i.e., monetary compensation for their losses arising from the defendant’s negligence. In the context of a tractor trailer accident, the defendants may include the truck driver, the trucking company, or a number of third parties whose negligent acts or omissions may have contributed to the accident. Such defendants can be required to pay both economic and noneconomic damages.
Economic damages reflect your direct financial losses arising from a tractor trailer accident, such as medical bills and lost wages. Noneconomic damages cover personal losses that are intangible, such as pain and suffering. In rare cases, a Florida court may also award punitive damages to punish and deter gross negligence or extreme recklessness. Such damages are capped by Florida law to no more than three times the total amount of economic and noneconomic damages awarded.
Contact Cardinal Law Today
A tractor trailer accident can leave substantial devastation in its wake. If you have been involved in such a traumatic event and need legal advice from a skilled Naples tractor trailer accident lawyer, contact Cardinal Law, P.A., today to schedule a free consultation.
