Truck accident cases are significantly different than run of the mill car accident cases. Semi-trucks are not only bigger and heavier than passenger cars, they are subject to a number of state and federal statutes and regulations.

 

The physical forces involved in a collision with a semi-truck are significantly greater than with a car. There is essentially no such thing as a fender bender with a semi-truck because the momentum involved with a 50,000 or 80,000 pound vehicle even at relatively low speed is significant. Even a 5,000 pound SUV is no match for a semi-truck in a collision. Because of this, the government has imposed regulations on who is qualified to drive semi-trucks, how many hours are allowed behind the wheel, mandatory maintenance standards, minimum insurance requirements, and mandatory record keeping requirements for trucking companies. In particular, there is a set of statutes called the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act that creates safety and liability requirements that are unique to semi-trucks. These statutes were intended to protect the public from trucking companies engaged in interstate commerce. Florida has adopted the same safety regulations that apply to all intrastate commerce with the exception of some agricultural vehicles.

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Experienced and Knowledgeable Florida Truck Accident Attorney

 

In cases against semi-truck drivers and the trucking companies that they work for, the driver is oftentimes fighting to keep his job after an accident.  Meanwhile, the trucking company is defending its way of life by defending a lawsuit. As a result, litigation against truck drivers and trucking companies is often very intense and expensive to a point where they hope to discourage people from bringing perfectly legitimate claims.

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The types of compensation that you may be able to recover in a truck accident case can be for:

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• past and future medical expenses

• past and future pain and suffering

• lost income in the past

• loss of future earning capacity

• inconvenience

• mental anguish

• loss of consortium for spouse

• punitive damages where legally permitted

 

At Russo Law, we have the resources to investigate your claim properly, preserve any evidence that is necessary, and pursue your case in litigation to the very end. Our Lakeland truck accident attorneys can help you bring your case against a trucking company that failed to follow the rules and put you in the line of danger.