Motor vehicle accidents happen every single day on every type of road. It doesn't matter if you're on the highway, a side street, or busy avenue, an accident is an unfortunate risk when it comes to driving. While you may practice good driving skills and are aware of your surroundings, you cannot control the actions of others. Any accident can cause damage to your vehicle and injury to your person but accidents with commercial vehicles may be fatal.
Because commercial vehicles are generally larger and heavier than most passenger vehicles, the potential for significant damage and injury are real. What's more, a crash with a commercial vehicle may be more complicated than one with a passenger vehicle, as you may have to deal with not only the driver of the truck but their employer and the company's insurance. This can make things much more complex when trying to pursue a personal injury claim.
At Kelleher Law, we believe that if you've been injured or suffered property damage because of the negligence of another then you deserve justice and the maximum compensation for your pain and suffering. Because commercial vehicles are transporting goods or used for business purposes that means there is not only a business which owns the vehicle but workers who maintain, load, and check the safety of the truck. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, any one of these parties may be liable for the accident.
That's why it's important to have an experienced truck accident attorney on your side to determine liability. There are also a number of different types of commercial vehicles that share the road. The most common commercial vehicles on the road include:
- Tractor-trailers
- Box trucks
- Cargo/delivery trucks and vans
- Catering trucks and vans
- Garbage trucks
- Cement trucks
- Tow trucks
- Semi-trucks
- Construction vehicles
- Refrigerated trucks
No matter what type of commercial vehicle it is and no matter where it occurs, if a commercial vehicle causes your accident you have the right to file a claim. Again, it's most important to establish that there was negligence and then determine who is responsible for that negligence. Our experienced attorneys will fight for you and hold the responsible party liable while dealing with the business' insurance company.
While this type of claim may be more complicated than most, one silver lining is that insurance for large trucks is usually higher than normal motor vehicles. For example, federal law requires that businesses with commercial trucks carry minimum liability insurance including:
- $750,000 for trucks over 10,000 lbs and which carry freight that is non-hazardous
- $1,000,000 for trucks that transport hazardous materials or oil
- $5,000,000 for trucks which have portable tanks over 3,500 gallons
If you were in an accident caused by the negligence of a commercial vehicle, contact our experienced lawyers today to help you handle your case. We can pursue the maximum compensation you deserve. Contact us by filling out the form on this page or by calling us at 833-546-3675 for your complimentary consultation. We proudly serve the Ft. Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, and other nearby areas of southwest Florida.
