Pensacola Truck Accident Attorney

Truck Accident Lawyer Proudly Serving Pensacola, FL

Pensacola Truck Accident AttorneyIn every town and on every highway in American, you will see trucks of all types and sizes. Reported to be responsible for approximately 70% of all freight moved in the United States, flatbed, box trucks, livestock trucks, tankers, and others haul everything from toilet paper to Dr. Pepper. While these giants of the roadway are absolutely critical to American commerce, they are also involved in some of the most devasting personal injury accidents. If you or a loved one was injured in a trucking accident, you need compassionate and experienced legal help. Reach out to a skilled Pensacola Truck Accident Attorney at Michael E. Fenimore, P.A.

When a personal injury occurs in Pensacola, FL, you may not know what to do or who to turn to. The lines of liability may be blurred and you may be injured, need treatment, be out of work, and have bills mounting.  In Florida, individuals who are injured in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence can recover compensation by filing a personal injury claim against the negligent party or parties.

Don’t Delay – There are Deadlines

While injured parties are entitled to sue those who negligently harm them, this right does not last forever. In Florida, a person must file a personal injury lawsuit (civil claim for negligence) within four years of the date of the accident.  If the truck accident resulted in an individual or their loved one passing away, family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit against the party who caused the accident. Surviving family members must act quickly, however, because the state of Florida’s statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits (Florida Statutes section 95.11(4)(d)) requires claims to be filed within a two-year time frame. There are, of course, some legal exceptions to these deadlines. At Michael E. Fenimore, P.A., our Pensacola Personal Injury Lawyers understand the laws surrounding truck accident cases and other personal injury claims.

Understanding the Causes of Truck Accidents

While for the most part, truck drivers are professional, courteous and careful, accidents do happen. Among the many factors that may contribute to tractor-trailer accidents are:

  • Driver fatigue – Drowsy driving is common for long-haul drivers even though there are strict national and intra-company regulations in place, including required rest periods and drive-time limitations.
  • Inadequate truck maintenance – With faulty brakes and steering topping the list of truck maintenance and defects, malfunctioning equipment doubles the chance that a truck will be involved in an accident involving substantial property damage or injury. This is backed up by data, according to the IIHS.
  • Aggressive drivers – When trying to correct their own aggressive driving or combat against another vehicle’s poor driving practices, big-rig trucks have size and weight working against them. The laws of physics govern things such as weight transfer and momentum when it comes to large trucks. Slower response times are especially true when braking, returning to their own lane or swerving to avoid a collision with another vehicle or something in the road.
  • Distracted drivers – While state and federal entities have become increasingly aware of the dangers of texting and driving and have instituted firm laws and severe consequences for breaking them, it still happens.  Other instances of distracted driving for trucks can be loud music, items shifting or falling within the truck, and the truck driver reaching for items.
  • Impaired driving – Regular drug and alcohol screening is a common company practice, and it may reduce impaired driving by truckers.  However, this does not completely rule out truckers driving while under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. There is the added possibility that there are other impaired drivers on the road – a bad combination in even the best of circumstances.

Who is Responsible?

Liability is not always clear in truck accidents. The average person may know very little about trucks, load securement, truck maintenance, and driving regulations.  Responsible parties can include the truck driver, the trucking company, cargo loaders or even the truck or truck parts manufacturer. Attorney Michael P. Fenimore understands the components of negligence and is ready to advocate for you. Let him put his experience to work for you. You should be free to focus on healing and getting your life back to normal.

Common Injuries in Pensacola Truck Accidents

Trucking accidents can result in a wide range of injuries including:

  • Fractures/Broken Bones
  • Neck and Back Injuries
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Head and Brain Injuries
  • Whiplash/Soft Tissue Injuries
  • Injuries Requiring Surgery
  • Automobile and Other Property Damage

Getting the Help You Need

Don’t try to navigate a truck accident claim alone. It is important to remember that insurance companies are not on your side. Even your own insurance company will be trying to minimize their payout costs. Additionally, even if the negligent party or their insurer accepts responsibility, they will be fighting tooth and nail to settle and close the claim out at the very lowest amount possible.  These settlement offers may seem like a fair amount but often do not take into consideration the full amount of your medical care, past, present and future, and other factors such as pain and suffering. Our early intervention in your case will protect your rights and interests. We will immediately initiate actions to gather and preserve evidence to support your claim or lawsuit.

Call a Trusted Pensacola Truck Accident Attorney Today

Reach out to Michael P. Fenimore, P.A. with any questions that you may have.  We are here to help you get the compensation you deserve. As our client, you will pay nothing unless we can win your truck accident case.  Contact us today at (850) 434-6064 or fill out our consultation request online.