Plantation, FL Truck Accident Attorneys Who Don’t Back Down

If you’ve been injured, call a truck accident lawyer who fights to win

Big rigs are a frequent sight in Plantation, Broward County, and throughout Florida. Unfortunately, truck accidents are quite common. They can happen on I-595, State Road 817, or Broward Boulevard. If you were hurt in a collision with a tractor-trailer or other commercial vehicle, you need an experienced truck accident lawyer who can fight for you.

The Plantation truck accident attorneys at Feingold Posner Draizin understand the impact that injuries can have on your life. We know how to hold negligent parties accountable for what happened. Our firm builds strong cases and is determined to help you recover the financial compensation you deserve so you can move forward.

Truck accidents in Florida can be devastating

Accidents involving semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and other large commercial vehicles often result in serious and life-changing injuries due to the sheer size and weight. Victims of crashes with big rigs may suffer from a range of injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal organ damage, burns, and severe lacerations.

These injuries can lead to long-term or permanent disabilities, extensive medical treatment, and significant emotional and physical pain. In too many cases, truck accidents can result in fatalities, leaving families to cope with a devastating loss. Our firm is committed to helping you get justice.

We’re not afraid of big trucking companies or their insurance companies

Trucking companies and drivers typically deny doing anything wrong after a truck accident and refuse to accept responsibility. These companies have a lot of resources at their disposal and will fight claims for compensation aggressively. That’s why we investigate accidents to get the facts that prove negligence.

Don’t expect much help from insurance companies. They know there’s a lot of money at stake and will use many different tactics to try to limit your compensation. We know how they operate in claims involving serious injuries. All of our attorneys used to represent insurance companies. Now, we fight for the injured.

“Second time using Feingold and Posner. Great job walking me through the process. Sabrina is amazing at providing information and responds very quickly. Highly recommend!” – Michelle T.

Truck Accident FAQ

Here are some common questions people have after being involved in a truck collision:

Why is it important to hire a lawyer soon after a truck accident?
How do trucking regulations relate to my accident?
Can I sue the trucking company?
What types of damages can I recover in a truck accident claim?
What happens if my loved one died in a truck accident?
Can I recover punitive damages in my truck accident case?
How long will my truck accident case take?
What if I can’t afford a truck accident lawyer?

Common types of truck accidents

Accidents involving tractor-trailers can be particularly dangerous due to the size and weight of these large commercial vehicles. Here are some common types of tractor-trailer accidents seen on the roads in Broward County:

Jackknife accidents – These occur when a semi’s trailer swings out to the side, forming a 90-degree angle with the cab, resembling a folding knife. This usually happens when the truck’s drive wheels lock up, causing the trailer to skid.
Rear-end truck accidents – These accidents involve a truck crashing into the back of another vehicle. Due to the truck’s size and weight, these collisions can cause severe damage and injuries.
Underride accidents – An underride accident occurs when a smaller vehicle slides under the rear or side of a semi’s trailer. These accidents can be particularly deadly, as the top of the smaller vehicle may be crushed.
Truck rollover accidents – These occur when a semi tips over onto its side or roof. Tractor-trailers are more prone to rollovers due to their high centers of gravity.
Lost load accidents – These happen when cargo falls off an 18-wheeler and onto the roadway, creating hazards for other vehicles. This can cause direct collisions or lead to accidents as drivers swerve to avoid the debris.
Tire blowouts – These occur when a semi’s tire suddenly bursts, causing the driver to lose control. The large size of truck tires makes these incidents especially hazardous.

What causes truck accidents?

Collisions involving large commercial vehicles can be caused by various factors, including driver error, trucking company negligence, and improper loading. Common causes include:

Driver fatigue – Commercial vehicle drivers often work long hours, sometimes exceeding legal limits. Fatigue can significantly impair reaction time, judgment, and overall driving performance. Some drivers or companies may ignore regulations designed to limit driving hours.
Distracted driving – Texting,calling, adjusting controls, eating, drinking, or engaging in other activities inside the cab while driving can take a truck driver’s attention off the road.
Speeding – Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for conditionsreduces a driver’s ability to react to sudden changes in traffic or road conditions.
Aggressive driving – Tailgating, frequent lane changes, and failure to yield can all contribute to accidents.
Impaired driving – Alcohol and drug use (including prescription drugs) can severely impair a driver’s ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely.
Poor vehicle maintenance – Inadequate maintenance can lead to brake failure, which is especially dangerous given the size and weight of tractor-trailers. Worn or improperly maintained tires can cause blowouts, leading to loss of control. Malfunctioning lights or turn signals can prevent other drivers from anticipating a truck’s actions.
Improperly loaded or secured cargo – Exceeding weight limits can affect a big rig’s handling and braking. If cargo is not properly secured, it can shift during transit, causing the truck to become unbalanced. And poorly secured cargo can fall off the trailer, creating hazards for other vehicles on the road.
Driver inexperience or poor training – Inexperienced or poorly trained drivers may not know how to handle certain situations, such as heavy traffic, adverse weather, or mechanical failures.

Our firm can help you level the playing field

Trucking companies and insurers have attorneys looking out for their best interests. You need someone who is focused on fighting for your rights. We can help you navigate the complexities of the legal process and will fight for the compensation you deserve. Our lawyers can:

Investigate your accident – This includes collecting police reports, obtaining witness statements, and securing any available surveillance footage. Truck accident cases often involve crucial evidence such as electronic logs, black box data, and maintenance records. We will act quickly to preserve this evidence before it can be lost or destroyed.
Identify responsible parties – Commercial vehicle can involve multiple liable parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, vehicle manufacturer, or even a third-party maintenance provider. We will identify all potential defendants to maximize your compensation.
Deal with insurers – Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. We’ll handle all communications with the insurance companies, ensuring your rights are protected. We will also negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf to secure a fair settlement that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
File a truck accident lawsuit – If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf. One of our attorneys will represent you in court and present a strong case.

Get an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side today

If you were injured in a truck accident in Plantation, Broward County, or anywhere in Florida, it’s important to get legal advice as soon as possible. We know that the aftermath of a collision can be confusing and that you may not be sure what to do next. You may not know if you need a lawyer or whether you even have a case.

Let’s talk about what happened. One of our attorneys can review the details of your accident and discuss your legal options for recovering financial compensation. We can also answer any questions you have and give you an idea of what to expect during the legal process. Sometimes, just having the information you need can help put your mind at ease.

There’s no cost and no obligation. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

Why Is it Important to hire a lawyer soon after a truck accident?

Truck accident investigations are much more complex and involved than investigations of car accidents. One of the key pieces of evidence is the commercial vehicle’s event data recorder, or “black box.” This can tell investigators:

The speed of the commercial vehicle before the crash
Whether and when the driver applied the brakes
The hours of operation for the commercial vehicle
How often the driver was speeding

The trucking company is only required to keep black box data for a period of time. After that, they are free to write over it or even get rid of it. If they know that the data holds the story of an accident for which they can be liable, they may destroy it even sooner. There are other corporate records that could help your case, such as the driver’s records or maintenance logs. An experienced truck accident lawyer can put a litigation hold on this evidence to preserve it.

How do trucking regulations relate to my accident?

Federal trucking regulations are very detailed. Among the many topics they cover are:

Limitations on the number of hours that a driver can operate the commercial vehicle
Maintenance requirements for the commercial vehicle
Qualification requirements for drivers

There are many more regulations that trucking companies must follow. There is a concept in personal injury law that if you can prove that someone failed to follow a law or regulation, it can be evidence of negligence. This is why you need a lawyer who is familiar with truck accident cases. These are far more complicated than car accidents. At Feingold Posner Draizin, we gather evidence about your accident and compare it to the numerous and detailed federal regulations, looking for proof that the driver or trucking company failed to follow them. It’s this kind of careful review that can make a big difference in your case.

Can I sue the trucking company?

Most likely, yes. When the driver is a corporate employee, they are an agent of the trucking company. This means that anything that they do on the job is also an act of the trucking company when it comes to liability. The company acts through its employees. As long as the driver committed negligence within the scope of their employment, the company would need to pay for their actions.

This might lead to the best possible outcome for an injured motorist and their family. The damages resulting from truck accident injuries can be overwhelming. In many car accident cases, accident victims run up against the limits of insurance policies. Trucking companies will have much larger insurance policies to protect their assets.

What types of damages can I recover in a truck accident claim?

Truck crash damages break down into two parts: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are about money. Specifically, this is either actual money that has come out of your pocket or money that should have come into your pocket but did not. It can pay you back for costs such as medical bills and the cost of rehabilitation. Economic damages can also compensate you for lost wages that you would have earned, including any reduction in your earning capacity.

Non-economic damages compensate you for your experience after the accident. This pays you back for what you have gone through and will continue to go through for the rest of your life because of the accident. It includes:

Pain and suffering
Emotional anguish
Disfigurement
Loss of enjoyment of activities

An experienced truck accident lawyer can determine the total amount of damages you suffered in your accident.

What happens if my loved one died in a truck accident?

Family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit when their loved one dies due to someone else’s negligence. Usually, the deceased person’s spouse is the one who will file this lawsuit, but children may also be able to file. There is a wrongful death statute in Florida that lays out the order of priority for who can file the lawsuit. These lawsuits seek to pay the family for what they lost when their loved one passed away. These damages could include:

Funeral and burial costs
The wages that the person would have earned for the rest of their life
The loss that they suffered by no longer having their loved one’s support
The surviving family’s pain and suffering

In addition, the family can also take legal action to recover compensation for what their loved one went through before their death.

Can I recover punitive damages in my truck accident case?

There is always a possibility that you can recover punitive damages if your case goes to a jury, but it does not happen often. If you settle your case with the insurance company, you will not receive these damages. Punitive damages are the jury’s way of sending a message to the defendant that their behavior was grossly shocking and wrong. If the company has a pattern of not following federal regulations, or if they intentionally hid misconduct, it may be enough to anger the jury. But these usually only apply to cases that involve extreme recklessness or intentional conduct.

How long will my truck accident case take?

One of the first questions that many new clients ask us is how long their truck accident case will take. Like anyone, they want to know that they will be receiving a check for their injuries and when they will get it. This is not an easy question for an attorney to answer because there are so many variables. Much of what happens in a claim is beyond your control.

In large part, how soon you can get your money depends on the insurance company. They need to be reasonable in settlement negotiations, but you can also expect that they will not write a large check quickly. If they refuse to even come close to what you deserve, you may need to file a lawsuit. This can add even more time to your case. This is another way of saying that anything can happen, and we do not want to create unrealistic expectations. But we can promise that we will fight for the best possible outcome in your case.

What if I can’t afford a truck accident lawyer?

Money is one thing that you do not have to worry about when you are considering your legal options. It’s not that lawyers work for free – there is a reason why they work for their clients. However, you do not need to invest money upfront in your case. Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, and we do not ask for a retainer like many other kinds of lawyers. We get paid at the end of your case, but only if you get a settlement check or jury award.

If you do not win your case, you will not be getting a bill from us. We do not receive any payment if you do not recover compensation. This should remove one big concern that may prevent you from hiring a lawyer.