Thousands of Americans die every year due to truck accidents involving tractor-trailers and large commercial trucks. Truck accidents often cause severe, irreversible injuries, leaving many victims with lifelong disabilities in the blink of an eye. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 40 tons (80,000 pounds) and the average car weighs around 4,000 pounds. Colliding with a truck that’s 20 times heavier than your vehicle is devastating and often deadly.
Fort Myers, Florida, is a popular area for vacationers and retirees with our beautiful beaches, sunny weather, and delicious seafood, but our busy roadways are not exempt from these deadly truck accidents. With I-75, SR 82, and U.S. 41, we have many truck drivers making their way to, from, and through Ft Myers in 80,000-pound vehicles.
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, contact our experienced attorneys at Kelleher Law in Fort Myers today at (833) 546-3675 for a free consultation. James “Jim for Justice” Kelleher and our skilled legal team have helped many injured truck accident victims reach a just settlement or successful verdict. We offer bi-lingual services.
Causes of Truck Accidents in Fort Myers
Truck driving is considered one of the most hazardous jobs. These drivers have immense pressure to meet deadlines while also maintaining the truck and managing changing road conditions. While there are guidelines for taking breaks and limits on the number of hours a truck driver can travel consecutively, drivers may alter their logs to achieve unreasonable delivery demands. Speeding, drowsy driving, substance abuse, and driving distractions are a common culprit of truck accidents. Other common causes include poor hiring and training practices by the trucking company, weather and road conditions, improper maintenance, and unbalanced cargo.
Injuries Caused by Fort Myers Truck Accidents
Truck accident injuries are typically catastrophic and can harm more than those in the vehicles involved in the crash. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and other cars on the road can be secondary victims due to flying debris from the accident, and flammable fuel spreading across the area. The common injuries of truck accidents in Fort Myers can involve:
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Neck, Back, and Wrist Injury
- Loss of Limb
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Burns
- Fractures
- Partial Paralysis
- Full Paralysis
- Death
How Is It Determined Who Is at Fault in a Truck Accident in Ft. Myers?
Typically, an investigation is required to determine who is at fault in a truck accident. These cases are extremely complex, often involving multiple parties – some of whom may not be on the scene of the accident – along with their insurance companies and attorneys. Having a truck accident lawyer on your side helps to ensure your accident is investigated appropriately and that all instances of negligence are uncovered.
It is very important that you do not suggest that you are at fault for an accident. Not to the other driver. Not to the police or ENTs. Not to witnesses or your insurance adjuster. It is not always possible to know who is at fault for an accident until an investigation has been conducted.
In a Single-Vehicle Truck Accident in Ft. Myers, How Is Negligence Determined?
Driver negligence can cause a single-vehicle accident. This may include intoxication, speeding, inattention, and erratic maneuvering. Some single-vehicle accidents have nothing to do with the driver and are instead the result of poor road design, inclement weather, vehicle failure, and other issues that cannot always be accounted for. As with any accident, an investigation will be needed to determine where fault should lie.
No matter how many vehicles are involved in an accident, you will want to avoid admitting fault until after the investigation has been conducted.
How Long Does It Usually Take To Investigate Truck Accidents in Ft. Myers?
The investigative process is dependent on several factors. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to gather all of the evidence needed for a truck accident lawsuit.
The investigation is only the first step in your claim. The sooner you can contact an attorney after your accident, the better their chances of uncovering evidence and the faster your case can resolve. You have four years to take action under Florida’s statute of limitations, but waiting is not typically the best idea. If you have been injured, contact us today to learn about your rights.
If Negligence Is Discovered in a Truck Accident in Ft. Myers, What Happens to the Truck Driver?
If a driver is found negligent for an accident, they can be held liable and required to compensate the crash’s victims. These payments almost always come from the guilty party’s insurance carrier.
If a driver’s actions are found to be criminal, they can be charged with a crime and processed through the legal system. These proceedings will have no bearing on your right to seek compensation.
How Does the Inclement Weather Affect Liability for a Trucker in Ft. Myers?
Inclement weather can play a role in causing accidents. There are safety precautions, including driving techniques, which commercial drivers must employ to help keep everyone on the road safe.
Even when the weather is a factor, it may not be the only factor in an accident. This points, once again, to the importance of having a qualified and experienced lawyer investigate your accident.
Recoverable Compensation for Truck Accident Victims
As truck accidents cause some of the most horrific injuries and fatalities, the settlements and winning verdicts from these lawsuits are typically high because the pain and suffering victims and their families endure are often lifelong. Kelleher Law specializes in truck accident claims. We can help you recover compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitative care, home modifications, loss of quality of life, loss of income, lost wages, and emotional and physical pain and suffering.
If you’ve lost a family member in a truck accident, our attorneys can help you pursue a wrongful death claim for funeral and burial expenses, loss of lifetime earnings, loss of companionship, and loss of parental guidance.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney in Fort Myers
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, Kelleher Law is available to help you through this complicated process and will fight on your behalf for justice and compensation. Contact our award-winning attorneys in Fort Myers, Florida today at (833) 546-3675 for a free case evaluation.
