West Palm Beach Truck Accident Attorney

Fighting to Help Injured Victims Obtain Maximum Compensation For Truck Accident Claims

Palm Beach County has experienced a significant rise in population growth in the past few years. With this expansion, there is an ever-increasing need for more goods and services in our area. In most instances, large commercial trucks transport goods into the area.

With more large trucks being on the road and the recent surge in population, the risk of motorists being involved in collisions has notably increased. Passenger vehicles are no match for larger, more powerful commercial vehicles.

Trucking accidents can lead to some of the deadliest collisions that motorists can ever experience and can leave victims struggling to pay medical expenses and support their families due to their inability to work.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident, you must seek skilled legal representation immediately. Our West Palm Beach truck accident lawyers have comprehensive experience handling truck accident claims and achieving favorable client results.

Contact our West Palm Beach truck accident lawyers to schedule a free consultation to review your case and discuss your potential legal options.

Why Do Truck Accidents Occur in West Palm Beach?

Unfortunately, truck accidents frequently occur in West Palm Beach for various reasons, including adverse weather conditions and improper loading techniques. However, in many cases, truck drivers are pushed by their trucking companies to deliver their loads early so they can go to their next stop. When truck drivers operate their vehicles over federal and state regulations known as “Hours of Service”(HOS), accidents are bound to occur due to driver fatigue.

Some other common causes of truck accidents in West Palm Beach include:

•  Speeding
•  Reckless or aggressive driving
•  Tailgating
•  Failure to obey traffic laws
•  Driving while impaired due to drug or alcohol use.
•  Blindspot collisions
•  Lack of proper vehicle maintenance.
•  Overloaded trucks

Another serious issue plaguing the trucking industry is the need for more experienced drivers. Trucking companies need drivers to move their freight, and in recent years, there has been a greater demand for goods and services. However, many companies should be more diligent when hiring or training new drivers. Lack of training or driver error on congested roadways is often cited in accident reports and can have deadly consequences for truck accident victims.

Finally, with the advent of technology, one of the predominant causes of truck crashes is distracted driving. Like passenger vehicle motorists, truck drivers are often more preoccupied with their cell phones or onboard computers and navigation systems than paying attention to the road.

If you have been injured in a collision with a commercial truck, contact GONZ.LAW GROUP of West Palm Beach, Florida, immediately so that we may review your case. If we agree to take your case, our legal team will conduct a thorough investigation to help you obtain the fair compensation you deserve.

What are the Most Common Truck Accidents Injuries?

Passenger vehicles are no match for larger tractor-trailers, and even a minor trucking accident could result in considerable property damage and severe injuries for all parties involved.

In many instances, accident victims suffer severe injuries that result in extreme physical pain and can take weeks, months, or years to heal correctly.

Common Injuries

Some of the most common injuries sustained in truck accidents include:

•  Broken bones
•  Facial lacerations
•  Head and neck injuries.
•  Arm and leg injuries
•  Chest injuries
•  Burns
•  Soft tissue injuries, including whiplash.
•  Internal injuries

Catastrophic Injuries

In some cases, truck accident victims may suffer catastrophic injuries that negatively impact them for the rest of their lives. Florida considers catastrophic injuries as any permanent disability or impairment that results in the truck accident victim requiring special accommodations or lifelong ongoing medical care.

Some examples of catastrophic injuries include:

•  Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
•  Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
•  Amputations
•  Loss of limbs
•  Organ damage

Suppose you or a family member have sustained truck accident injuries after a collision. In that case, you must hire an experienced lawyer who can assess your case to help you obtain maximum compensation.

GONZ.LAW GROUP has in-depth experience handling truck accident claims and would be honored to assist you with your legal needs. Contact our law firm to schedule a consultation with one of our West Palm Beach truck accident lawyers today.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Truck Accidents?

After a truck crash, many Palm Beach accident victims are unsure who can be held liable for their injuries and property damage. The obvious choice that comes to mind is to file a claim against the truck driver who was involved in the accident.

If it is determined that the truck driver is at fault for causing the accident, injury victims may be able to recover compensation from the operator’s insurance company. In many cases, accident investigations reveal that truck drivers were determined to be negligent for causing a collision due to being under the influence or driving while fatigued.

However, trucks that are equipped with Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) log the hours that a driver operates their commercial truck and can give victims accurate information as to whether the driver violated their HOS regulations.

However, several other entities may be held responsible for a truck accident, such as the:

•  Trucking company: Many trucking companies push their drivers to operate over their legal HOS so they can make loads on time or early or do not provide adequate training. In other instances, many companies fail to perform proper maintenance on their commercial vehicles, which may lead to equipment failures that cause accidents.
•  Loading company: The company that loaded the truck may not have followed proper loading techniques. Improper loading can easily cause goods in the trailer to shift, leading to an accident.
•  Truck manufacturer: If the commercial truck had a mechanical issue caused by a design flaw, the manufacturer could share liability for the crash.

With the potential for so many parties involved in the accident to possibly be held responsible for an accident victim’s damages, it is always best to hire an experienced truck accident lawyer to help determine liability issues.

GONZ.LAW GROUP will conduct a thorough investigation to determine who the at-fault party is. Additionally, suppose our truck accident lawyers conclude that there are multiple parties involved who should be held responsible. In that case, our legal team will take the steps necessary to hold all liable parties accountable.

Can I Obtain Compensation That Will May For My Medical Expenses and Lost Wages?

GONZ.LAW GROUP realizes that one of the most essential concerns for truck accident victims is how they can receive financial compensation to pay for their medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.

Florida law allows injured victims to pursue compensation to try and recover economic and non-economic damages after being involved in an accident caused by another person’s negligence.

It should be noted that any economic or non-economic damages that may be obtained in a financial recovery will vary depending on the circumstances involved.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are granted to accident victims to help reimburse them for out-of-pocket expenses they have paid or may have to pay in the future due to injury.

Some of the most standard economic damages include:

•  Past and current medical bills: An injury victim may be able to recover money to pay for past medical expenses and ongoing care. Some examples of ongoing medical treatment include physical therapy and rehabilitation.
•  Lost wages: Lost wages are frequently awarded due to the accident victim’s inability to return to work.
•  Loss of earning capacity: If the accident victim cannot return to the same type of work and earn the same amount of money they did before their injury occurred, they may be eligible to collect compensation that makes up for the difference.
•  Property damage: Accident victims may be able to recover compensation that will pay for the cost of repairs or replacement of their vehicles.

Non Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are meant to compensate victims for intangible losses they have suffered due to being involved in an accident. Unlike economic damages that have a monetary value, non-economic damages are based on the unique facts involved in the case.

Frequently awarded non-economic damages may include:

•  Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and stress that an accident victim may have to endure as a result of their injuries.
•  Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation if the accident victim can no longer enjoy the activities they participated in before being injured.
•  Emotional distress: Compensation for trauma caused by being involved in a truck accident.
•  Permanent disfigurement and scarring: Compensation paid to injury victims who have been disfigured or suffered scarring from the accident, often the result of fire or toxic chemicals.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim for a Family Member Killed in a Trucking Accident?

If you have tragically lost a loved one in a trucking accident, you want justice and the responsible parties to be held accountable for their negligence. However, there are several critical legal aspects that families should be aware of before they consider filing a wrongful death claim.

Florida law dictates that for a family to recover financial compensation for a loved one’s wrongful death, they must file a claim in civil court. State law also stipulates that the decedent’s personal representative must file wrongful death claims. A personal representative, also called an executor, who represents the decedent’s estate, files the wrongful death claim on behalf of surviving family members.

Family members, including spouses, children, parents, and other dependents, may be entitled to recover compensation.

Due to the legal complexities surrounding wrongful death cases, anyone who has lost a loved one in a fatal Palm Beach truck accident must hire an attorney who possesses the skill and knowledge it takes to get results.

GONZ.LAW GROUP has personal injury lawyers who have in-depth experience helping families of truck accident victims recover maximum compensation for their loved ones.
Wrongful death damages include those made to the decedent’s family members and their estate.

Damages the Decedent’s Family May be Able to Collect

• Funeral and burial expenses (within reason).
•  Medical expenses incurred by the victim and paid for by surviving family members.
•  Pain and suffering
•  Loss of companionship, protection, and guidance.
•  Loss of support and services the decedent provided

Damages That May Be Paid to Decedent’s Estate

• Medical and funeral expenses of the decedent paid by the estate.
•  Lost wages, earnings, and benefits that the decedent may have contributed to their estate from the date of injury to the date of death, had they lived.

GONZ.LAW GROUP recognizes how difficult it must be to deal with the death of a loved one due to negligence. Our law firm is dedicated to holding all negligent parties accountable for their actions and helping your family get the justice it deserves

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim?

The Florida statute of limitations allows truck accident victims to file a claim up to four years from the date the incident occurred. However, it is never advisable for those involved in trucking accidents to delay filing their claims.

Even though four years seems like a great deal of time, it can quickly pass by. After a truck crash, evidence can quickly disappear, and witnesses may be difficult to locate, or their memories regarding the accident start to fade.

In cases of wrongful death, families only have up to two years from the date the decedent succumbed to their truck accident injuries to file a claim.

Therefore, it is always best to hire an attorney to help you file a truck accident claim immediately. Failure to file a claim within the prescribed time limits will likely result in your personal injury claim being thrown out by the court.

Once a case has been thrown out, you will lose any legal recourse you may have had to try and recover compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and other accident-related damages. Even accident victims with valid truck accident claims will likely lose their legal ability to pursue compensation.

Florida has a statute of limitations to ensure that any claims or lawsuits that may be brought are made in a timely manner and that no evidence is lost over the years.

For this reason, GONZ.LAW GROUP of West Palm Beach, Florida, offers truck accident victims free consultations to assess their cases. Our experienced attorneys can help you file the necessary paperwork and provide solid legal support through every step of the claims process.

Contact our West Palm Beach truck accident lawyers today to schedule a free case evaluation to determine available legal strategies.

Why Do I Need to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer to Help Me File a Personal Injury Claim?

If you or someone you love has been injured in a West Palm Beach truck accident, you must hire an attorney with comprehensive experience handling personal injury claims. Trucking companies face numerous lawsuits yearly, and large payouts could significantly affect their bottom line.

As a result, the truck company and their insurance carrier often look for ways to try and blame the victim for causing the accident or assign them some degree of liability to try and reduce the compensation they may be ordered to pay.

However, GONZ.LAW GROUP is fearless in standing up to those in the trucking industry and will fight diligently to protect our client’s legal rights.

Some other crucial reasons to hire a truck accident lawyer include:

•  A well-trained truck accident attorney understands the federal and state regulations that govern commercial trucks and knows what it takes to achieve results for clients.
•  An attorney is essential if there are issues related to determining liability if other vehicles were involved in the accident. A well-trained attorney can review the evidence to determine the at-fault party.
•  Truck accident attorneys have the knowledge and ability to review all legal documents that pertain to the accident, including obtaining supporting medical documentation, accident reports, maintenance records, and witness statements.
•  If needed, an accident attorney can hire an accident reconstructionist or expert witnesses to clarify what caused the accident and who the liable parties are.
•  An accident attorney and their legal team can assist clients through the often confusing claims process to ensure that all paperwork is filled out correctly and in its entirety.
•  An attorney will act as your legal advocate with the insurance carrier to help you receive compensation that will adequately repay you for the damages you have suffered due to being injured.

If you want to know more about why hiring a truck accident lawyer is necessary, contact our West Palm Beach law firm to schedule a consultation with a qualified legal team member.

What Makes Your West Palm Beach Truck Accident Lawyer the Right Choice for My Legal Needs?

No one ever imagines they will one day sustain serious injuries from being involved in a truck accident. However, truck crashes occur every day, often with devastating consequences for victims and their families.

Unfortunately, trucking companies and their insurance companies are unwilling to negotiate fair settlements for injured victims. For this reason, anyone injured in a truck accident caused by another person’s negligence must hire an attorney. A truck accident lawyer will fight to help you obtain full and fair compensation for your medical needs, lost wages, and emotional distress.

Furthermore, in cases of serious accidents where the victim has sustained catastrophic injuries, they most likely will require lifelong skilled nursing care and medical treatment. Skilled nursing care and ongoing medical care can quickly become cost-prohibitive for injured victims and their families.

Therefore, hiring a truck accident lawyer to help you file a personal injury claim is always wise. A knowledgeable attorney can evaluate your injuries to ensure you receive maximum compensation for the harm you have suffered due to another person’s negligence.

GONZ.LAW GROUP is a law firm with experience dissecting truck accidents and finding hidden property damage that could affect how your case is valued. We also have an onsite mechanic and auto body shop that can assist with local towing if your vehicle has been involved in a truck accident/

Allow the experienced truck accident attorneys of GONZ.LAW GROUP to provide you with a free, no-obligation consultation to assess your case. We work hard to ensure that the responsible parties are held liable and that you receive a financial recovery that will give you the peace of mind you deserve.