Unfortunately, trucking accidents can happen in an instant, leaving victims facing steep medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma.
When you are involved in a truck accident, it is essential to know that the claims process can be complicated. This is because many different factors must be considered, such as proving that another party was liable and dealing with insurance companies that will likely try to minimize your payout.
If you were injured in a trucking accident, it’s important to have an experienced West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer on your side. At GOLDLAW, our team of West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers has more than 200 years of combined experience, and we’re standing by to hear from you 24/7.
Why Choose GOLDLAW After a West Palm Beach Truck Crash?
After a serious truck crash or semi-truck accident, choosing the right law firm can directly impact the outcome of your insurance claim and any potential personal injury lawsuit.
You need strong legal representation to stand up to insurance companies, face the legal system, and pursue compensation for damages like medical expenses and lost income.
At GOLDLAW, we combine proven results, deep experience, and a client-focused approach to guide you through every step. Here’s why Florida accident victims turn to us during the most stressful times in their lives:
More Than $1 Billion Won
Our firm has recovered more than $1 billion for clients injured in large truck crashes and other serious accidents, showing our ability to take on powerful insurance companies and win.
More Than Two Centuries of Combined Experience
With more than 200 years of combined experience, our attorneys provide skilled legal representation backed by a deep understanding of the legal system and how to build strong cases.
Serving Clients Since 2002
Since 2002, our law firm has helped clients successfully handle complicated insurance claims and pursue fair compensation after devastating accidents.
Thousands of Clients Served
We have represented thousands of clients dealing with the aftermath of truck crashes, helping them recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more.
Contingency Fee Basis
You pay nothing up front for our legal representation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will never get a bill unless we recover compensation for you.
Most Cases Resolved in Under a Year
While every case is different, most of our cases conclude in under a year, allowing our clients to move forward with their lives as quickly as possible without sacrificing the value of their claim.
How Our West Palm Beach Truck Accident Attorneys Will Help Your Truck Accident Claim
It is critical to speak to a skilled truck accident lawyer in West Palm Beach as soon as possible after an incident occurs. It is not uncommon for the truck company or its insurance carrier to try to contact those involved quickly to resolve the claim, particularly if the truck driver or trucking carrier is clearly at fault.
Truck accident victims need to have an attorney handling all communication with other parties on their behalf. An attorney can get involved soon after the incident occurs and conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
These investigations often take time because of the challenging nature of the claim. Evidence needs to come from various sources, including the scene of the incident, the police report, truck driver records, black box data, and truck company records.
Don’t Handle a Truck Accident Claim on Your Own
Because there are often so many parties involved, trying to handle these claims without an attorney often leaves the crash victim recovering much less compensation than they otherwise would. GOLDLAW can handle all settlement negotiations, and we will prepare for a trial by jury if necessary.
The Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents
In the United States, large trucks, including semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and commercial vehicles, are involved in a significant number of accidents each year. So, what are some of the most common causes of these accidents? Here are four of the most frequently cited causes of truck accidents:
Driver Fatigue
One of the most common causes of truck accidents is driver fatigue. Truck drivers often work long hours and cover large distances, which can lead to drowsiness and decreased alertness behind the wheel.
Some truck drivers may feel pressure to meet unrealistic deadlines set by their employers, while others may simply want to get home to their families as soon as possible. As a result, they may ignore FMCSA regulations and drive for longer periods of time than they should.
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a fatigued truck driver, it is important to speak with an experienced West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer who can help you assert your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.
Speeding
Like all other motorists on US roadways, truck drivers are subject to speed limits. However, because large trucks weigh so much more than passenger vehicles, they take significantly longer to stop when driving at high speeds.
This is why speeding is such a dangerous behavior for truckers; not only does it increase the likelihood of an accident, but it also increases the severity of catastrophic injuries if an accident does occur.
Tailgating
Tailgating (following too closely behind another vehicle) is another common cause of truck accidents. Again, because trucks weigh significantly more than passenger vehicles, they require more space to stop safely.
When a trucker tailgates another vehicle, they are putting both themselves and other motorists at risk in the event that sudden braking is required.
Cargo Spills
Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can shift during transit or spill onto the roadway, creating hazardous conditions for everyone nearby. Cargo spills can cause multi-vehicle accidents, sudden lane obstructions, or loss of control for the truck driver.
In some cases, these incidents can also contribute to a rear-end collision when other drivers are forced to brake unexpectedly.
Poor Weather Conditions
While all drivers need to be extra careful when driving in bad weather conditions such as rain or snow, this is especially true for truckers. Due to their size and weight, it’s important that they slow down and use extra caution when driving in poor weather conditions.
Common Injuries Caused by West Palm Beach Truck Accidents
There may be a wide range of injuries caused by truck accidents that occur in West Palm Beach. These commercial vehicles can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds when fully loaded with cargo, which is much more than the average passenger vehicle.
Physical Injuries
Because of this size and weight discrepancy, even a seemingly minor vehicle accident involving a commercial truck can result in severe injuries for those inside other vehicles. Some of the most common injuries associated with commercial truck accidents in Florida include:
- Fractured or dislocated bones
- Severe lacerations
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord trauma with paralysis
- Amputations or crush injuries
- Severe scarring or disfigurement
Emotional Trauma
Physical traumatic injuries are only one aspect of a truck accident that we need to examine. These types of incidents can often leave victims with significant pain and suffering damages. This includes physical pain and suffering as well as emotional and psychological pain and suffering.
It is not uncommon for truck accident victims to experience symptoms of fear, anxiety, extreme stress, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These injuries may be harder to quantify in terms of monetary loss, but they are equally important, particularly when working to secure a final settlement.
Types of Compensation Available for Your Truck Accident Claim
There may be various types of compensation available for successful truck accident claims in West Palm Beach. This includes both economic and non-economic damages. These damages are designed to address both your financial losses and the personal toll the accident has taken on you and your family.
GOLDLAW can help you pursue financial compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses: Covers hospital bills, surgeries, doctor visits, medications, and any ongoing or future medical care related to your injuries.
- Rehabilitation costs: Includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other forms of treatment needed to help you recover and regain function.
- Lost wages: Compensates you for the income you missed while recovering and unable to work after the accident.
- Loss of earning capacity: Applies if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit your ability to earn income in the future.
- Property damage: Pays for repairs or replacement of your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the crash.
- Out–of–pocket expenses: Reimburses costs like transportation to medical appointments, home modifications, or hiring help for daily tasks.
- Pain and suffering: Accounts for the physical pain and discomfort caused by your injuries and the recovery process.
- Emotional distress: Covers anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other psychological effects resulting from the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Applies when your injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies, activities, or daily routines you once enjoyed.
- Loss of consortium: Provides compensation for the impact your injuries have had on your relationship with your spouse or family.
How Much Compensation Can I Get After a Truck Accident?
There is no set amount of compensation paid to truck accident victims if their claim is successful. Rather, every claim is different. Several factors can influence total compensation amounts, including:
- The severity of the injuries
- The extent of the property damage
- Whether or not there was any shared fault for the incident
- Total insurance carrier policy limitations
- Total assets of the at-fault party or parties
- How long it takes a victim to recover
- The extent of any scarring, disfigurement, or disability
How We Calculate Your Damages
An attorney will thoroughly examine the facts of the case and determine how much compensation to request from the at-fault party. Calculable economic damages will be added up, but the non-economic damages will need to be calculated using different methods. Often, this includes a multiplier method.
When using a multiplier method, an attorney will add up all of the economic damages associated with the truck accident claim. They will then multiply that total by a set number, typically a number ranging from two to five.
For example, suppose that a truck accident victim sustains $100,000 worth of economic damages, including medical bills and lost wages. An attorney could multiply this number by “three” to reach a non-economic damage total of $300,000. For this particular scenario, an attorney would request $400,000 for their client.
What if I Lost a Loved One in a Fatal Truck Wreck?
Losing a loved one in a truck accident is a devastating experience that no family should have to endure, and the emotional and financial toll can feel overwhelming.
While nothing can replace what you have lost, a wrongful death claim may provide a path toward accountability and financial stability during this difficult time. These claims allow surviving family members to seek compensation for losses such as funeral expenses, lost income, and the loss of companionship.
Pursuing a wrongful death case can also help bring a sense of justice and closure, and having compassionate legal guidance from our West Palm Beach truck accident attorneys can make the process a little easier as you focus on healing and honoring your loved one.
How Long Do You Have to File Your Claim?
Individuals who sustain injuries caused by the negligence of a truck driver or trucking company have a limited amount of time to file their claims in court. The personal injury statute of limitations in Florida is two years from the date an injury occurs.
This statute of limitations means that individuals who fail to file a personal injury claim against the alleged negligent party within the two-year time frame will likely lose the ability to recover any compensation at all.
In addition to the statute of limitations, truck crash victims must be aware of insurance carrier deadlines in place. Often, insurance carriers require reporting of an incident within a short time frame, so we encourage you to speak to an attorney as soon as possible to get the claims process started.
Talk to Our Experienced West Palm Beach Truck Accident Attorneys Today
A truck accident can leave you facing serious injuries, financial stress, and uncertainty about what comes next. Having our law firm on your side can make all the difference in protecting your rights and pursuing the full compensation you deserve.
At GOLDLAW, our West Palm Beach truck accident lawyers bring more than 200 years of combined experience to every case, and we are committed to guiding you through every step of the process with skill and dedication.
We are available 24/7 to take your call and provide the support you need when it matters most. We also encourage you to read our client testimonials to see how we have helped others in similar situations recover and move forward with confidence.
