What to Do After a Truck Accident in West Palm Beach
Experiencing a truck accident can be traumatic, but it’s crucial to remain calm and follow these essential steps:
- Check yourself for injuries. Check others for injuries and render aid if necessary.
- Call 911 immediately. Report the accident and provide your exact location.
- Request an ambulance. Seek medical assistance for anyone injured.
- Gather information. If you can, collect the truck driver’s name, trucking company, license plate number, and insurance details.
- Take photographs. Document the crash scene, vehicle damage, and any injuries.
If you’re unable to do this, don’t worry—law enforcement officers can assist in gathering evidence.
Seek medical attention at a hospital in West Palm Beach as soon as possible. Once you’re ready to begin the claims process, consult with a trusted West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer before speaking with insurance companies. This will help protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation.
A West Palm Beach Truck Accident Lawyer Will Help Gather the Necessary Evidence
To recover financial compensation after a truck accident, your West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer must prove the other party’s fault. In a no-fault insurance claim, proving fault isn’t necessary, but if you plan to hold another party accountable, your lawyer will help establish liability with critical evidence, such as:
- The truck’s black box (event data recorder).
- In-cab footage of the truck driver.
- Cell phone records.
- Truck driver employment records.
- The driver’s medical history and driving records.
- Truck inspection logs and repair reports.
- Trucking company compliance history.
Trucking companies often send attorneys and investigators to the scene immediately. Contact our West Palm Beach truck accident lawyers as soon as possible to preserve key evidence.
Your attorney will issue subpoenas to force the trucking company to retain crucial documents and data. Then, they will piece together the evidence to build a strong case against the defendant.
Having a West Palm Beach trucking accident lawyer is essential. Our team of Warriors for Justice will fight relentlessly to protect your rights.
LaBovick Law Group has experienced attorneys who will advocate for you after a semi-truck accident. Schedule a free consultation today.
Types of Truck Accidents Our West Palm Beach Truck Accident Lawyers Handle
Common types of truck accidents include:
Underride Accidents
These occur when a vehicle slides under a truck due to sudden braking. They often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
Rollover Accidents
Cargo shifts, improper turns, or loss of control can cause a truck to roll over, posing severe risks to all nearby vehicles.
Tire Blowouts
A sudden tire failure can make the driver lose control, leading to serious accidents.
Jackknife Accidents
When a truck’s trailer swings at an extreme angle, blocking multiple lanes and causing dangerous collisions.
T-Bone Collisions
Often caused by a truck running a red light, resulting in severe side-impact crashes.
Blind Spot Crashes
Trucks have large blind spots, making it difficult for drivers to see surrounding vehicles, leading to sudden lane-change accidents.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in West Palm Beach
If your injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold—such as fractures, spinal damage, or traumatic brain injuries—a West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer will need to prove liability to hold the responsible party financially accountable.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Cell phone use
- Driver fatigue
- Violating hours-of-service rules
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Improper lane changes
- Dangerous turns
- Negligent truck maintenance
- Overloaded or improperly secured cargo
Most truck accidents are caused by driver error and could be prevented. If a negligent truck driver caused your crash, you may be able to hold the trucking company liable.
Challenges in Truck Accident Cases: How Trucking Companies Avoid Liability
Trucking companies use various tactics to escape responsibility, such as:
- Claiming drivers are independent contractors. Companies may argue that drivers are not employees to avoid legal responsibility.
- Scope of Employment Defense. Companies may claim the driver was not working at the time of the accident to deny liability.
- Shifting the blame. Trucking companies may attempt to blame the victim or other drivers.
Under Florida’s pure comparative negligence law, even if you are partially at fault, you can still recover compensation. However, your award may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Don’t navigate this process alone. Call a West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer today. Your attorney will fight to secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
