Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Lawyer

The substantial size and weight of trucks amplifies the consequences of accidents, often resulting in severe injuries and, tragically, fatalities. Various factors can contribute to truck accidents in Fort Lauderdale, such as driver fatigue, inadequate maintenance, distracted driving, or insufficient training.

Liability in a truck accident typically involves multiple entities, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and potentially other third parties. Our Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyers are experienced in navigating the intricate web of liability issues associated with commercial vehicle accidents in South Florida, ensuring that all accountable parties are held responsible. 

Our attorneys have witnessed the physical, emotional, and financial toll truck accidents can take on victims and their families. Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm is dedicated to fighting for our clients’ rights and seeking maximum compensation to help them rebuild their lives after a tragic accident. 

If you have been involved in an accident in Fort Lauderdale, reach out to our experienced truck accident attorneys at 305-638-4143 or complete our online form for a free consultation.

Why You Need a Lawyer After a Truck Accident in Fort Lauderdale

The aftermath of a truck accident in Fort Lauderdale, FL, can be a daunting experience, marked by serious injuries, property damage, and legal issues. During these challenging times, having an experienced personal injury lawyer by your side is crucial. After a truck accident in Fort Lauderdale, our attorneys can help by:

• Determining Liability: Truck accident liability often involves multiple parties, such as the truck driver, the trucking company, and potentially other third parties. Identifying liability in these cases can be complex, and our experienced truck accident lawyers aim to ensure that all responsible parties are identified and held accountable.
• Understanding Trucking Regulations: The trucking industry is subject to numerous federal regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to uphold safety on the roads. A knowledgeable lawyer will comprehend both federal and state regulations and apply them to your case, pinpointing instances of non-compliance that may have contributed to the accident.
• Investigation and Evidence Gathering: Building a robust case requires a thorough investigation and the thorough collection of evidence. Our legal team will diligently gather accident reports, witness statements, and collaborate with accident reconstruction experts if necessary to establish the facts surrounding the incident and support your claim.
• Dealing with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies often deploy teams of adjusters and lawyers working to minimize payouts. Having a personal injury lawyer on your side ensures that you are not taken advantage of during negotiations, and they can handle all communications with insurance companies on your behalf.
• Ready For Trial: Whether negotiating a settlement or representing you in court, our lawyers are prepared to present a compelling case to seek justice on your behalf. If necessary, our attorneys are ready to take your case to trial, ensuring that your rights are protected.

Common Types of Truck Accidents in Fort Lauderdale

• Rear-End Collisions: In Fort Lauderdale’s traffic, rear-end collisions involving trucks are not uncommon. These accidents can be attributed to various factors such as sudden stops, tailgating, or distracted driving. The sheer size and weight of trucks make stopping distances longer, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions.
• Jackknife Accidents: The narrow and winding roads of Fort Lauderdale can sometimes lead to jackknife accidents. When a truck’s trailer swings outward, forming a 90-degree angle with the cab, it can block multiple lanes and pose a significant danger to other vehicles on the road.
• Underride Accidents: The proximity of smaller vehicles to trucks can result in underride accidents. In these situations, a smaller vehicle may become wedged beneath the trailer of a truck during a collision, causing devastating injuries. 
• Blind Spot Collisions: Trucks have larger blind spots compared to smaller vehicles, and navigating Fort Lauderdale’s congested roads can exacerbate this issue. Collisions can occur when a smaller vehicle is in a truck’s blind spot, leading to lane changes or turns that result in accidents.
• Tire Blowouts: The warm climate in Fort Lauderdale can contribute to tire wear, increasing the likelihood of tire blowouts. When a truck experiences a tire blowout, it can lose control, posing a significant threat to surrounding vehicles. Poorly maintained trucks or overloaded cargo can contribute to tire failures.
• Wide Turn Accidents: The layout of Fort Lauderdale’s roads may require trucks to make wide turns sometimes, creating potential hazards for nearby vehicles. Cars attempting to pass a turning truck or being too close during a wide turn can result in collisions.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Fort Lauderdale

• Driver Fatigue: Long hours on the road can lead to driver fatigue, a prevalent issue in the trucking industry. Fatigued drivers are more prone to errors in judgment and reaction time, increasing the likelihood of accidents on Fort Lauderdale’s busy highways and streets.
• Distracted Driving: Whether it’s using mobile devices, adjusting controls, or eating, distractions can lead to accidents with severe consequences.
• Improper Maintenance: Regular maintenance is crucial for the safe operation of commercial trucks. Neglecting maintenance tasks, such as brake checks, tire inspections, and engine servicing, can result in mechanical failures that lead to accidents on Fort Lauderdale’s roads.
• Inadequate Training: Fort Lauderdale’s diverse road conditions demand skilled and knowledgeable truck drivers. Inadequate training in handling large vehicles, navigating city streets, or adhering to safety regulations can contribute to accidents, putting both the driver and other road users at risk.
• Speeding and Reckless Driving: Truck drivers exceeding speed limits or engaging in reckless driving. Speeding reduces a truck’s ability to react to sudden changes in traffic conditions, increasing the chances of accidents with severe consequences.
• Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Cargo: Trucks carrying overloaded or improperly loaded cargo can become unstable, leading to accidents. Shifting cargo can also impact a truck’s balance and stability on the road.
• Adverse Weather Conditions: Florida’s unpredictable weather, including heavy rain and sudden storms, can create challenging driving conditions. Truck accidents are more likely to occur during adverse weather when visibility is reduced, and road surfaces become slippery.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

• Whiplash: One of the most common injuries associated with truck accidents is whiplash. This occurs when the impact of a collision causes the neck to jerk back and forth abruptly. Whiplash can lead to pain, stiffness, headaches, and even long-term complications if not treated promptly.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Truck accidents can result in severe trauma to the spine, leading to spinal cord injuries. These injuries may cause paralysis, loss of sensation, and significant challenges in mobility. Victims of spinal cord injuries often require extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): The force of a truck collision can cause traumatic brain injuries, ranging from concussions to more severe conditions. TBIs can have long-lasting effects on cognitive function, memory, and overall quality of life. Identifying and treating these injuries early is crucial for the best possible outcomes.
• Broken Bones & Fractures: The impact of a truck crash can cause bones to break or fracture. Fractures commonly occur in the limbs, pelvis, or ribs, requiring immediate medical attention and often extensive rehabilitation. Recovery from broken bones can be a lengthy process, affecting an individual’s ability to work and carry out daily activities.
• Internal Injuries: Truck accidents can result in internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding. These injuries may not be immediately apparent, making it essential for individuals involved in an accident to seek medical attention promptly. Internal injuries can have serious consequences if left untreated.
• Emotional Trauma: Beyond physical injuries, truck accidents can leave lasting emotional trauma for victims. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression are common psychological consequences that may require counseling and therapy.

Seeking legal representation is crucial to ensure that victims receive the compensation they deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm is here to guide you through the legal process and fight for your rights.

Call us at 305-638-4143 for a free consultation. Remember, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone—help is available.

What Damages Can I Recover After a Truck Accident in Florida?

Navigating life after a truck accident can be overwhelming, with physical, emotional, and financial challenges to overcome. These are the damages that may be recovered in a personal injury case after a truck accident in Florida:

• Medical Expenses: This includes costs associated with hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, medications, rehabilitation, and any other necessary medical treatments. Victims are entitled to seek compensation for both current and future medical expenses related to the accident.
• Lost Wages & Earning Capacity: If the injuries sustained in a truck accident result in the victim being unable to work, they can seek compensation for lost wages. Additionally, if the injuries impact the individual’s future earning capacity, such as through disability or reduced work opportunities, these damages can also be claimed.
• Pain & Suffering: Pain and suffering damages are intended to compensate victims for the physical and emotional distress they endure due to the truck accident. This includes not only the immediate pain but also the long-term impact on the individual’s quality of life, mental health, and overall well-being.
• Punitive Damages: In certain cases where the actions of the responsible party are deemed especially egregious or reckless, there is a chance that punitive damages may be awarded. These damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and serve as a deterrent to prevent similar behavior in the future.
• Wrongful Death Damages: Tragically, some truck accidents result in fatalities. In these cases, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death damages to cover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of services provided by the family member, and the emotional suffering endured due to the loss of a loved one.

Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm is dedicated to helping victims secure the compensation they need to rebuild their lives. Call us at 305-638-4143 for a free consultation. 

Who Is Responsible For a Truck Crash?

Determining liability is a crucial aspect of seeking justice and compensation in the aftermath of a truck accident. It is a complex process that requires a thorough investigation. Our law firm works diligently to identify all responsible parties and build a strong case on behalf of their clients. The following parties may be held liable in a truck accident case in Florida:

Truck Driver Liability: The primary party often held liable in a truck accident is the truck driver. Negligent actions such as speeding, reckless driving, fatigue, or distracted driving can contribute to accidents. Violations of traffic laws or failure to adhere to safety regulations may establish the truck driver’s liability.

Trucking Company Liability: Trucking companies play a significant role in the safe operation of commercial trucks. They may be held liable for a truck accident if they are found to have engaged in negligent hiring, training, or supervision of their drivers. Failure to properly maintain and inspect their fleet can also contribute to liability.

Maintenance Contractors: If a truck accident occurs due to mechanical failure or defects in the truck, the liability may extend to maintenance and repair contractors. Those responsible for ensuring the proper upkeep of the vehicle can be held accountable if negligence in maintenance contributes to the accident.

Cargo Loaders & Shippers: Improperly loaded or secured cargo can lead to accidents. Cargo loaders and shippers may be held liable if their actions or negligence in loading the truck result in a shift of cargo, leading to instability and contributing to the accident.

Manufacturers of Defective Parts: In some cases, the liability may rest with the manufacturers of defective truck parts. If a component such as brakes, tires, or other critical elements malfunctions due to a manufacturing defect, the manufacturer may be held responsible for the resulting accident. Learn more about product liability cases here. 

Government Entities: Poor road conditions, inadequate signage, or faulty traffic control devices can contribute to truck accidents. In some instances, liability may extend to government entities responsible for road maintenance and infrastructure if their negligence is deemed a contributing factor.

Third-Party Drivers: Sometimes, the actions of other drivers on the road can contribute to a truck accident. If a third-party driver’s negligence or recklessness is a contributing factor, they may also share liability for the accident.

Handling Fatal Truck Accidents in Fort Lauderdale, FL

When a loved one loses their life in a truck accident, survivors may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim is a legal action initiated by the surviving family members or beneficiaries of the deceased. It aims to seek compensation for the emotional and financial losses resulting from the fatal truck accident. In Florida, you may pursue a wrongful death claim against trucking companies, drivers, or other parties whose negligence contributed to the accident.

Florida law outlines specific criteria for eligibility to file a wrongful death claim. Generally, the deceased person’s surviving spouse, children, parents, or other dependents may be eligible. It’s essential to consult with an experienced wrongful death attorney in Fort Lauderdale to determine eligibility and understand the legal nuances involved. Filing a wrongful death claim can provide a pathway to justice and financial relief for the surviving family members.

Flanagan & Bodenheimer focuses exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death claims throughout Florida. Our law firm has secured millions of dollars for families who lost a loved one in a tragic accident. Contact us at 305-638-4143 for a free consultation if you believe you lost someone due to another party’s negligence. Click here to learn more about wrongful death lawsuits in Florida. 

Free Consultation With a Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Attorney

Unlike larger firms juggling hundreds of cases simultaneously, we intentionally limit our caseload to ensure personalized attention for each client. From the initial consultation to case resolution, our clients in Fort Lauderdale can expect transparent communication, regular updates, and direct access to an attorney when needed. This commitment allows us to focus on the unique details of each case, providing the tailored representation that our clients deserve. Click here to see some of our recent case results.

While our main offices are located in Miami, FL and Hollywood, FL we offer our services to clients throughout all of Florida. This includes Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Kendall, Homestead, Brickell, Miami Beach, Aventura, Hialeah, Miami Gardens, Pembroke Pines, and other areas. Our law firm focuses exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death cases, including:

• car accidents
• truck accidents
• motorcycle accidents
• medical malpractice
• product liability
• premises liability
• brain injuries
• spinal cord injuries
• birth injuries
• cerebral palsy
• electrocution accidents
• mesothelioma & asbestos cases

If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident in Fort Lauderdale, reach out to Flanagan & Bodenheimer for a free consultation at 305-638-4143.