Our Award-Winning Semi-Truck Accident Attorneys are Here to Help
Did you suffer an injury in a trucking accident?
Did a semi-truck or big rig driver cause your crash?
If so, you need an experienced truck accident attorney fighting for your rights from the start.
Accidents with commercial trucks involve a very different set of issues than typical automobile crashes. The truck accident lawyers at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, understand the specific nuances and complications involved in semi-truck and tractor-trailer accidents. You can trust our lawyers to use their extensive experience and knowledge regarding commercial trucking accident cases to help you recover the maximum amount of compensation possible.
Truck accident cases can be costly to investigate and resolve. Having the necessary resources to handle these tasks is essential. At Dolman Law Group, we have the resources needed to pursue your case. We also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won't pay any fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Dolman Law Group is here to help.
Contact our Truck Accident Attorneys at (866) 826-1298.
- Our Award-Winning Semi-Truck Accident Attorneys are Here to Help
- Why Choose Dolman Law Group to Bring Your Truck Accident Claim
- How to Choose the Best Truck Accident Injury Lawyer For Your Situation
- How Florida Laws Affect Truck Accident Claims and Truck Drivers
- Where Do Most Florida Truck Accidents Occur?
- Common Causes of Florida Truck Driving Accidents
- Common Types of Florida Truck Accidents
- Why National Trucking Accidents Can Be Catastrophic
- Multiple Parties May Be At Fault in Devastating Truck Accidents
- Reported Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Accidents Involving Injuries
- Florida Truck Accident Injury Cases We Handle
- What Compensation Can Our Truck Accident Injury Lawyers Recover For You After a Trucking Crash?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accident Claims
- What to Do Following a Truck Accident?
- Let a Truck Accident Attorney at Dolman Law Group Fight the Insurance Company For You
- Our Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You Win Your Injury Case
- Truck Accident Investigation
- How Our Accident Investigation Can Save Your Case
- Contact a Semi Truck Accident Lawyer at Dolman Law Group Today
Why Choose Dolman Law Group to Bring Your Truck Accident Claim
If you were involved in a commercial trucking crash, you need a truck accident law firm with experience in the complexities of these cases. Dolman Law Group has seasoned truck accident lawyers who understand how to address all potential issues and build the strongest case possible. We will stand by you through every step of filing a truck crash injury claim with a trucking company's insurance provider and provide support through any challenging moments during the claims process.
When you work with Dolman Law Group, a big rig accident lawyer will handle your case with the utmost care. We will never pressure you into taking an unreasonable settlement offer. Your dedicated commercial vehicle accident attorney can take the case as far as necessary, including going to trial if the insurance carrier fails to make a fair offer.
Dolman Law Group has the financial resources to help you pursue a potentially expensive claim. We work with an expert on trucking industry protocols who can comb through employment records to unearth driving violations or other negligent actions on the company's record. This enables us to add a count for negligent hiring and retention if we find evidence to support it.
Dolman Law Group is the Most Qualified Law Firm To Handle Your Truck Collision Case
The trial attorneys at Dolman Law Group have over 100 combined years of experience with all types of personal injury claims. Our reputation for aggressively representing our clients is evident in the diligent work we do every day toward maximizing their settlement offers. Our tenacious legal team has recovered more than $400 million for our clients, who rave about the services they received.
Our founder, Matthew Dolman, has been voted by his colleagues on multiple occasions as a Florida Super Lawyer and Legal Elite. He is also a lifetime member of both the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and has been named one of the nation's top 100 trial lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers.
We're here to represent you as you seek compensation from a negligent truck driver, their employer, and any other responsible parties. Contact us for a free consultation to see how we can help in your truck collision claim process.
How to Choose the Best Truck Accident Injury Lawyer For Your Situation
Dolman Law Group is a truck accident law firm committed to getting maximum results for the personal injury victims who rely on us for help. Semi-truck accident claims can involve extremely high-value damages due to the especially severe nature of injuries these accidents tend to inflict. As a result, truck accident claims can easily lead to lawsuits due to the substantial amount of money on the line for insurance companies that will do everything in their power to pay as little as possible.
Our truck accident lawyers' dedication to getting the best results for our clients does not stop at the negotiating table. Our experienced semi-truck accident attorneys are ready and willing to go to trial to defend each client's right to fair compensation for injuries they wrongfully suffered. We will leave no stone unturned and we put our full support behind every case we take.
These are some of the cases where we have helped Florida truck crash victims receive compensation:
- $3.85 Million for a Semi-Truck Accident That Resulted in a Brain Injury
- $3.2 Million for Another Semi-Truck Accident That also Resulted in a Brain Injury
- $1.75 Million for a Truck Accident That Required Shoulder Surgery and Caused a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
- $1.58 Million for a Truck Accident That Resulted in Two Herniated Discs Impinging On The Spinal Cord
When you are looking for the best truck accident lawyer in Florida, look no further than Dolman Law Group.
How Florida Laws Affect Truck Accident Claims and Truck Drivers
Trucking cases are generally complex based on state and federal laws that can potentially conflict with one another. Every state has its own regulations governing truck drivers' actions, which detail how a large truck must be maintained and driven. Specifically, Florida Statute 316.302 governs all owners and drivers of commercial vehicles operated on public roads.
Here are the rules about who can legally work as a commercial truck driver:
- A truck driver can only hold commercial truck driving employment for intrastate travel if they are at least 18 years old. They must be 21 years old for interstate travel.
- A truck company can only hire commercial truck drivers who speak English. They must understand road signs, write fluent reports, and be able to communicate with officials.
- Commercial truck driving employees must have a valid CDL license and a safe driving history. They also must have at least 20/40 vision in each eye and a field of vision of at least 70 degrees from the horizontal meridian to operate a truck safely.
Here are the rules controlling the length of a truck driver's shift:
- A truck driver is limited to driving 70 hours in the last seven days or 80 hours in the previous eight days. After this work period, the truck driver must take at least 34 consecutive hours off before returning to work.
- After ten consecutive hours off duty, a driver can drive 12 but not more than 16 hours.
- All drivers must maintain a log book in case of investigation by the Department of Transportation.
- Drivers are not required to maintain a log book if they do not exceed a 150 air-mile radius. They are also exempt if they transport hazardous materials. However, they must document driving time if they exceed 12 hours of service.
Florida law also dictates how big a commercial truck can be. Here are the size specifications for Florida commercial trucks:
- A truck tractor-trailer must not exceed 65 feet long, and other trucks cannot exceed 75 feet.
- The overhang of a commercial truck cannot exceed three feet.
- An automobile carrier cannot exceed 14 feet in height.
- A commercial truck cannot exceed 102 inches in width.
- The gross weight limit for a commercial vehicle is 80,000 pounds. The weight limit for a tandem-axel vehicle is 34,000 pounds and 20,000 pounds for a single-axel vehicle.
The experienced truck accident lawyers at Dolman Law Group know the federal trucking laws, rules, and regulations inside and out and we use our knowledge to develop your strongest personal injury lawsuit possible.
Where Do Most Florida Truck Accidents Occur?
Trucking accidents commonly occur on highways with high traffic density and speed limits. Truck drivers can find it challenging to make complex evasive maneuvers with such a heavy vehicle moving quickly.
Truck crashes often happen on interstates because so many vehicles exit and enter at high speeds into the dense traffic flow. A distracted truck driver can miss seeing a vehicle entering the highway. They may not slow down to allow a vehicle to enter or drift into another lane. Any level of inattention while driving a big rig in congested areas like a highway can cause a trucking accident.
The following are some of the areas in Florida where truck accidents are likely to occur:
- Interstate 95
- Interstate 10
- Interstate 41
- The Florida Turnpike
Common Causes of Florida Truck Driving Accidents
Reckless driving is one of the most common causes of Florida truck driving accidents. It only takes one reckless act by a truck driver to cause a deadly crash. Some reckless actions that can cause a truck crash include distracted driving, speeding, not using turn signals, etc.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) analyzed hundreds of truck accident factors, narrowing them down to ten prevalent causes. The ten factors that cause most truck crashes are:
- Brake problems
- Traffic flow interruption (congestion, previous crash)
- Prescription drug use
- Traveling too fast for conditions
- Inexperience with the roadway
- Roadway problems
- Required to stop before the crash (traffic control device, crosswalk)
- Drug use
- Inadequate surveillance (distracted driving)
- Fatigue
Distracted Driving Truck Accidents
Distracted driving occurs when a driver takes their eyes or attention off the road. this is considered reckless driving behavior and can cause an accident. Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous things you can do behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed the lives of a startling 3,308 people in one recent year.
If a trucker drives distracted, it can result in devastating consequences for the other drivers on the road. Avoiding an accident in a massive, heavy, big rig truck is much more difficult after the driver's attention drifts away. Distracted driving can lead to the driver losing control, the truck spinning out, jackknifing, or rolling over, and multiple vehicles can be caught in the crosshairs of a truck careening out of control.
Some of the distractions that can lead to a trucking accident include:
- Talking on the phone
- Engaging in a conversation with a passenger
- Texting
- Playing with the radio
- Posting on social media
- Eating and drinking
- Searching through the glove box
- Putting on makeup
- Looking at a GPS
Truck Accidents Can Be Caused by Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is reckless driving that involves a driver getting behind the wheel of a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level above 0.08. However, commercial truck drivers are legally presumed to be under the influence if their blood alcohol content is greater than 0.04, only half the amount allowed for other drivers.
If a driver is intoxicated, they will suffer from severe cognitive issues that can make the safe operation of a motor vehicle impossible. They may not perceive every obstacle on the road, have blurry vision, or forget where they are going. Any lapse in the knowledge of how to operate a car can lead to a dangerous truck crash.
Operating a semi-truck drunk is even more dangerous because of the destructive impact a crash can have. The truck is massive and can cause severe damage if it collides with another vehicle. Also, the truck may be carrying dangerous materials that can become debris and cause widespread damage.
Truck Driver Fatigue Can Contribute to Trucking Accidents
Fatigue is the most common negligence involved in truck crashes. When a commercial operator drives too many hours, they can fall asleep at the wheel or become less attentive and responsive to driving activities. Driver fatigue causes thousands of unfortunate and senseless accidents each year. Federal trucking laws, known as Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, govern:
- The amount of time a driver can be on the road for a single stretch
- How much time must be taken off between shifts
- How many hours they can drive during a specific week
Some truck drivers falsify their driving logs to be able to drive for more time than they should. Many trucking companies imply or expressly request their drivers to falsify records. Sadly, many trucking businesses also place unrealistic scheduling demands on their drivers, and sleep deprivation is often the result. Other factors that can result in truck driver fatigue include:
- Long stretches of night driving
- Irregular schedules with little routine
- Unhealthy eating on the go
- Loading and unloading cargo in between trips
The National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) estimates that fatigue plays a role in more than 30% of truck crashes. If you have questions or believe that truck driver fatigue may have caused your accident, we can help. A big rig accident lawyer at Dolman Law Group can explain your legal options. during a free consultation
Can a Trucking Broker Be Held Liable?
A broker is an entity that arranges cargo transportation and movement by a motor carrier such as a semi-truck. The broker connects the truckers and the company attempting to ship goods. Brokers utilize computer tracking software and data to monitor the movement of goods and the trucks they have brought in to handle the task.
When analyzing who is liable in a trucking accident, the tractor-trailer accident attorneys at Dolman Law Group look at:
- Whether the broker did their duty: We check whether the broker has acted in accordance with their commitment to inspect the motor carrier/truck, examined the safety history of the truck, and the drivers with whom they have contracted. We determine if the broker is the at-fault party.
- Whether the broker was in control: We analyze how much control the broker exercised over the truck and the driver. We determine this by inspecting dispatch records, whether the broker monitored and reviewed trip records or notes, and if the broker approved the receipts and bill of landing changes
Negligent Maintenance and Hiring Can Lead to Truck Accidents
We often retain experts to determine whether the trucking company utilized faulty equipment or was negligent in maintaining the truck itself. Other things we examine include:
- Were the tires defective, retread, or unevenly worn?
- Were the brakes, axles, hitches, and other parts working and checked routinely?
- Was the driver involved in previous auto accidents?
- Were the maintenance logs updated and in accordance with both state and federal statutes?
Regarding negligent hiring and retention claims, we examine the driver's employment history and determine whether the driver was properly trained and experienced in operating a semi-truck or commercial vehicle. There are federal and state provisions concerning the due diligence that the trucking company must apply in examining the driver's safety history and criminal record. Trucking outfits can face massive liability for failing to adhere to such safety provisions.
Common Types of Florida Truck Accidents
Many types of truck crashes can lead to significant injuries and damages for the victim. The type of truck crash depends on how and where it occurred.
The following are some of the unique types of truck crashes:
- Underride Truck Accidents: An underride truck accident occurs when a smaller vehicle goes under a semi-truck. The chassis of the semi-truck crushes the smaller vehicle, breaking the windshield and causing severe crush injuries.
- Truck Rollovers: A truck rollover occurs when a truck driver loses control, causing the truck to roll over onto its side. The truck slides along the road, most likely colliding with many other vehicles.
- Jackknife Truck Accidents: A jackknife accident occurs when a driver loses control and the semi-truck skids. The trailer can ram into other vehicles across multiple lanes, overturn, spill out the cargo, or catch fire.
Why National Trucking Accidents Can Be Catastrophic
We rely on big rigs, semi-trucks, and tractor-trailers to transport goods and materials for businesses from coast to coast and deliver everything from the food we eat to the clothes we wear. Unfortunately, these mammoth vehicles can also be very dangerous. Every year nearly a half-million large truck accidents occur in the U.S. And because of the size and weight of these vehicles, accidents involving trucks are often more severe or fatal than your typical car accident.
The average large commercial truck weighs close to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. In comparison, the average passenger car weighs just 3,000 pounds. As a result, those in passenger cars suffer most of the injuries during a collision, which can result in permanent disfigurement, impairment, and disability.
Truck Accidents Are Among the Most Deadly Crashes
Truck accidents are among the most dangerous types of automobile accidents. A recent report from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) showed that trucks accounted for 9% of all vehicles in fatal car accidents, which amounted to 5,700 large trucks in one recent year. In fact, according to the NHTSA, more than 15 people die every day due to truck accidents in the U.S. The NHTSA estimates that there are about 4 million trucks operating in the U.S. at any given time.
Truck accident fatalities have been on the rise since 2009, which was the lowest year recorded for truck accident deaths since researchers began collecting this data in 1975. In one year, the Department of Transportation reported 5,788 truck accident fatalities. About 72% of these were occupants of other vehicles, and 11% were non-occupants, such as pedestrians.
The distribution of deaths among truck drivers, passenger car occupants, and other road users in fatal truck accidents has remained largely consistent since 2011. Meanwhile, the number of people killed in large truck accidents increased by 17% between 2020 and 2021, reflecting a dangerous trend. These statistics show that truck accidents are not just an issue for big rigs; they also affect drivers of small vehicles. In addition to causing death, truck accidents cause serious injury to others.
Truck Crashe Statistics Show Smaller Vehicle Occupants Receive the Worst Injuries
Injuries caused by truck accidents are typically much worse than those caused by passenger cars. For example, the average cost of treating a pedestrian injury resulting from a car crash is $4,000. However, the average cost of treatment for a person involved in a truck accident is $70,000. This difference exists because the severity of injuries sustained in truck accidents tends to be more significant.
Official data from the Department of Transportation indicates that 154,993 people were injured in truck accidents in one recent year. The occupants of other vehicles accounted for 71% of injuries sustained in truck accidents each year, on average. Truck occupants represented about 27% of the injured, with 42,164 truckers and their passengers reporting injuries from collisions.
While the percentage of passenger vehicle occupants who sustained truck accident injuries is similar to the percentage that were killed in truck accidents, the proportion of non-occupant road users who died in truck accidents is remarkably lower than the proportion who died in truck accidents, accounting for a mere 2% of truck accident injuries. This demonstrates that when road users like pedestrians and bicyclists are hit by a truck, they are less likely to survive their injuries as compared to passenger car occupants.
Multiple Parties May Be At Fault in Devastating Truck Accidents
According to the FMCSA, truck accidents often occur when a motorist fails to yield the right-of-way to a larger vehicle. When this happens, it puts other motorists at risk of being hit by the larger vehicle. In some cases, the larger vehicle causes a collision with another vehicle or a stationary object, like a tree or signpost. Regardless of how the truck accident occurs, the impact of the collision often results in severe bodily harm or even death.
Sadly, multiple parties often share the blame for these crashes. Trucking companies and their drivers, shipping companies, and truck manufacturers can all bear liability after a serious truck accident. For this reason, it is important to speak to an experienced and skilled truck accident attorney at Dolman Law Group. We know time is critical, so we work quickly to build your case and protect your right to maximum compensation.
Truck drivers are often insured by million-dollar policies. Trucking companies have large legal teams and insurance companies working around the clock to protect their interests. And if they have protection... shouldn't you?
You deserve to have someone in your corner fighting for you every step of the way.
Reported Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Accidents Involving Injuries
Source: www.flhsmv.gov/
Florida Truck Accident Injury Cases We Handle
Due to their immense size and weight, truck accidents tend to cause exceptionally severe injuries. Those who are lucky enough to survive a truck accident often struggle with permanent damage that can disable and disfigure. The following are some of the more common injuries caused by truck accidents:
- Traumatic brain injuries: The force of a truck accident can injure the head either through direct trauma or sudden jerking movements. The result is a traumatic brain injury that can cause permanent physical and cognitive issues. Examples of traumatic brain injuries include concussions and contusions.
- Spinal cord injuries: A truck accident can cause a spinal cord injury by directly affecting the spinal cord or the vertebrae. Back trauma from a truck accident can lead to sensory problems, affect your control of certain organs, and even cause paralysis in varying degrees.
- Broken/fractured bones: While car accidents can break bones, truck accidents can cause especially serious breaks and fractures. This can lead to a significant loss of mobility and even permanent disability.
- Internal injuries: Depending on which organs were injured and how, truck accident victims can suffer everything from internal bleeding to collapsed lungs. These injuries can result in reduced or permanent loss of organ function, which can drastically reduce someone's quality of life.
- Amputations: Truck accidents can inflict enough damage to a limb that it is beyond saving or puts a person at risk of infection. You may need to undergo amputation surgery to remove the body part. This can lead to immense pain, a long healing process, and a significant handicap.
If you suffered an injury in a trucking accident, you deserve to have a law firm on your side fighting for you. At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, a trucking accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation. Call us today to explore your legal options in a FREE initial consultation.
What Compensation Can Our Truck Accident Injury Lawyers Recover For You After a Trucking Crash?
Like any other personal injury case, a person injured in a truck accident is entitled to seek recovery for their damages so their life can be restored as close as possible to its original state before the accident. Truck accident victims can pursue compensation for the following damages:
- Medical bills
- Surgery and other medical treatments
- Rehabilitation fees and procedures
- Nursing home care
- Lost income
- Loss of earning capacity in the future
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement and permanent scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Mental Anguish
- Wrongful Death
In certain extreme situations, punitive damages may also be available if the driver or company acted in a way that intended to cause harm ("bad faith") or in a way that they should have reasonably known would cause harm. Punitive damages are meant to punish someone financially, like a fine, to discourage them from acting similarly in the future.
It should be noted that punitive damages are often dramatically lowered by judges and are rarely covered by insurance policies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accident Claims
There are many facets of a truck accident claim that you must understand before filing. While a truck crash attorney can help educate you on the integral aspects of a truck accident claim, it's crucial to have a base level of knowledge.
The following are some of the frequently asked questions about truck crash claims and lawsuits:
Who Can Share Liability in a Truck Accident Claim?
Big rig truck accidents often cause severe injuries. Identifying every party potentially responsible is crucial, so you can receive the most compensation for your damages. You can pursue compensation for your truck accident damages from multiple parties.
The list of parties potentially responsible for a serious commercial truck accident extends beyond the driver. Liability for a commercial truck accident could include:
- The driver's employer
- The trucking company
- The truck manufacturer
- Third-party contractors
- The insurance companies that hold policies for each of the parties above
What to Do Following a Truck Accident?
Seek Medical Attention for Truck Collision Injuries
Your first priority in the aftermath of a truck accident is your health. Seek medical assistance as soon as possible by calling first responders. Next, make sure everyone else involved in the accident is okay. Check if anyone needs medical care and do what you can within reason.
Do not admit fault for the truck accident
In the aftermath of a truck accident, you may feel compelled to admit partial fault either by apologizing or saying you didn't see someone. Doing this can negatively affect your ability to receive compensation. You can also affect your claim by posting statements on social media that might be used against you.
Collect vital records for your truck accident case
A part of proving the at-fault party's liability is showing their negligence caused the accident that led to your injuries. Essential documents can help connect the at-fault party's negligent actions with your truck accident injuries. Some such documents include traffic crash reports, medical records, and police reports. Your dedicated personal injury law firm can gather this information for you.
Hire a semi-truck accident lawyer
A truck accident lawyer can simplify the truck accident claim process while you recover from your severe injuries. They can help determine who the at-fault party is, whether to include a third party, and how to prove the at-fault party's liability.
File a truck accident claim
If you suffered an injury in a truck accident, you might be entitled to compensation. You can file a truck accident claim if you can prove the at-fault party behaved negligently behind the wheel. Your truck accident lawyer can assist you with determining liability and filing the claim with the at-fault party's insurance company.
After a truck accident, you might be entitled to compensation for damages, including lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and property damage. Contact us today to discuss your case with a truck accident lawyer from the Dolman Law Group. Our truck accident personal injury attorneys will review your medical records and discuss how to proceed in your case.
Let a Truck Accident Attorney at Dolman Law Group Fight the Insurance Company For You
Car accident lawyers are well aware that most people involved in auto accidents are not insured. This means that if someone suffers an injury as a result of a negligent act committed by another party, they might have no legal recourse.
To protect individuals who are uninsured or underinsured, the legislature enacted the Uninsured Motorist Act (UMA) and the Underinsured Motorist Act (UMAA). These acts protect persons whose negligence caused them to sustain bodily injury or property damage. However, there are certain exceptions to these laws. For example, UMA does not apply when a person is driving his own vehicle or when the vehicle owner is covered by liability insurance. UMAA applies only to those situations where the tortfeasor has automobile liability coverage that is less than the number of the victim's damages.
We are truck accident lawyers who represent people throughout Florida, including but not limited to:
- Clearwater
- Miami
- Fort Lauderdale
- West Palm Beach
- Tampa
- Orlando
- Jacksonville
- Gainesville
- Tallahassee
Our Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You Win Your Injury Case
Litigating a truck accident claim to the fullest extent can be daunting and expensive. At Dolman Law Group, our truck accident attorneys know how to win these complex cases by providing a number of useful services, including performing an extensive investigation into the truck accident so we can identify all liable parties to pay for your damages.
An experienced tractor-trailer accident lawyer can assist in executing the legal processes necessary for you to recover damages. A truck wreck attorney can help you successfully file a truck accident claim with the at-fault party's insurance company.
Here are some of the ways a big rig accident attorney can help you with your claim:
Truck Accident Investigation
An accident involving a semi-truck must be thoroughly investigated, which can be quite expensive. The first essential step a truck accident lawyer should perform is to ensure the opportunity to analyze the truck in its post-accident condition. We want our expert to review the black box data, which provides a wealth of information about how the truck was being operated at the time of the wreck.
Many lawyers either skip this process or handle the investigation on a shoestring budget. In order to demonstrate the negligent maintenance and operation of a truck, we must diligently look into all aspects relating to the big rig itself. But a thorough, diligent investigation of a tractor-trailer accident is expensive. There is no way around this – a cheap investigation results in the lawyer leaving money on the table at the time of settlement.
How Our Accident Investigation Can Save Your Case
At Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, we have the experience and resources to properly try a commercial vehicle collision case.
The lawyers of Dolman Law Group have years of experience handling truck collision claims and have obtained many favorable results. Our lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for victims of large commercial vehicle accidents. The number of parties potentially responsible for your injuries makes semi-truck accident cases very complicated. For one thing, the tractor is usually owned separately from the trailer, resulting in potentially two separate companies being responsible for your injuries.
For example, if we can prove the truck was improperly loaded, then the entity responsible for loading the truck may be liable, along with the company that employs the driver. It is not uncommon for there to be multiple defendants in a tractor-trailer accident.
In a recent case, we recovered $3.2 million for a truck accident victim who suffered a traumatic brain injury. Due to extensive preparation and investigation, this case was settled in pre-trial mediation without the client ever having to go through a lengthy court battle. We were able to turn the case around based on what our expert uncovered by analyzing the black box data. The analysis of this data illustrated that the 18-wheeler was traveling 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.
Furthermore, we retained an expert on trucking industry protocols who combed through voluminous employment records to unearth numerous driving violations. This enabled us to amend our initial complaint and add a count for negligent hiring and retention. Due to the pressure of defending the case we had built, the respective insurance carriers were more amenable to resolving the claim and at a much higher amount.
We identify all lines of insurance coverage.
Semi-truck accidents are inherently complicated as there are multiple lines of insurance coverage. For example, the truck and the trailer are often owned by two separate corporations and thus are insured by different carriers. We can hold them responsible and pursue both parties for the negligence that caused your injuries. This requires extensive investigation and the testimony of multiple expert witnesses – all of which Dolman Law Group is prepared to handle.
We have the financial resources to handle 18-wheeler accident cases.
Trucking accident cases are expert-laden and costly since it is often necessary to prove complicated subject matters. For example, proving a specific truck part failed or that hiring practices resulted in an injury will require expert knowledge. As a result, truck accident cases can be very expensive for a law firm to handle. Since we have handled many commercial truck cases in the past, we already have a network of expert witnesses and investigators ready and able to help prove your case.
Every trucking accident requires a thorough and often expensive fact-finding mission.
There are many avenues through which to pursue financial compensation in a truck accident case. For example, there may be a potential claim due to improper or negligent maintenance of the truck. In order to determine this, we look at trucking logs, maintenance records, inspection records, etc.
Additionally, there may have been an instance of negligent retention or hiring on the part of the trucker's employer. To prove this, we examine employment records, training certifications of the driver, and past citations for violations, such as speeding or safety violations. Pulling camera footage on many highways is also possible, which can help determine the true cause of a serious truck crash.
Contact a Semi Truck Accident Lawyer at Dolman Law Group Today
A semi-truck accident can cause severe injuries that leave the victim with physical pain, medical bills, and lost work. You may recover damages caused by a truck driver's negligence by filing a truck accident claim. If a truck driver's negligence caused your severe injuries, it is essential to seek legal representation from a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer as soon as possible if you are considering seeking compensation for damages.
Our experienced team of truck crash lawyers at Dolman Law Group can help you get a fair settlement through diligent negotiation. Our team helps victims of all vehicle accidents by applying our specialized knowledge developed over years of service. Dolman Law Group has over 120 years of combined legal experience, including assisting clients in some of the most prominent ongoing litigation, from Camp Lejeune claims to Uber sexual assault lawsuits.
Our steadfast commitment to helping injury victims has made us one of Florida's most renowned and respected personal injury law firms.
Our team is committed to winning the case and helping you recover from your injuries. We will aid you on the path to recovery by formulating a plan based on what makes you comfortable. Together, we can work toward recovering compensation for your damages through communication, teamwork, and commitment.
Contact Dolman Law Group for a free truck accident claim consultation. Call 833-55-CRASH or fill out our online contact form.
*Attorney Matthew Dolman is a personal injury lawyer who has been practicing injury law in Clearwater, Tampa, and St. Petersburg and has litigated cases throughout the State of Florida for the last 17 years. The information provided here comes from extensive research and years of experience trying legal cases in courtrooms by the attorneys at Dolman Law Group.
Client Testimonial
“AMAZING and understanding attorneys! Did great on my case and I highly recommend Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA for anyone that has been injured in an accident!"
Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Koralis R.
Jan 2020
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