When you are injured in a Florida truck accident, it may be that there are more parties at-fault than just the driver who was operating the semi truck involved in your crash. This element of a Florida truck accident impacts the course of a resultant Florida personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death claim.
Because the liability of a serious Florida truck accident typically extends beyond one person-and the nature of the injuries are usually quite severe-you have a greater chance of obtaining a financial settlement that is sufficient enough to address your medical needs and accompanying pain and suffering. A skilled injury lawyer with experience in investigating and trying truck accident claims will know the most common parties at-fault in a Florida truck accident.
Who is liable in a Florida truck accident?
Truck accidents are complicated events. Even when something seems like a straight-forward case-i.e., the truck ran a stop sign and crashed into your car-there may be other elements of liability at play. This will play a role in determining which parties are at-fault for your Florida truck accident and injuries. Some of the most common parties at-fault in a truck crash include:
- The truck driver;
- Independent truck owners;
- The trucking company or carrier that employs or contracts the driver involved;
- The company that manufactured or designed the truck or any part of the commercial vehicle; and/or
- Truck repair companies.
How is liability determined in a Florida truck accident?
While some of these at-fault parties may have a more seemingly obvious liability in your truck accident-for instance, a drunk truck driver who caused the crash-other parties have a less evident but equally critical role in the event.
For example, a trucking company that knowingly employs a truck driver who has been found to have operated a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol would be liable if that truck driver were to later commit a fatal driving error while driving drunk.
If, in that same accident, it was found that the brakes on the truck had been improperly repaired a week prior to the crash and that defect contributed to the accident, the company that handled the truck repair may also be held liable.
Contacting a Florida Truck Accident Lawyer
A Florida truck accident lawyer will be able to examine all elements of your accident to determine which party or parties are liable for your injuries. This important step has the potential to turn an insufficient claim that barely covers your hospital bills into a more substantial settlement that can address current and future medical needs related to your injury.
A Florida truck accident lawyer at Lilly, O’Toole & Brown can work with you to identify all of the at-fault parties in your accident claim. Contact our firm today to schedule your consultation; 863-533-5525.