Truck Accident Attorney Fort Myers

What Can A Fort Myers Truck Accident Attorney Do?

In addition to the dangers from vehicles driven by distracted, impatient and angry drivers, sharing the road with 18-wheelers or other commercial trucks can make the situation worse.  Collisions involving trucks are quite often the most serious and the most dangerous. The victims injured in such crashes often face the risk of dreadful, horrendous injuries, although many injuries are often minor. 

Because of the size of commercial trucks, injuries sustained are often one-sided and truck drivers often suffer minimal damage or injuries compared to other parties in an accident. Truck collisions can also often involve multiple vehicles, and many people injured if the crash occurs on a highway or other road where drivers tend to drive at high speeds. If you have been involved in a truck accident, seek advice from a knowledgeable Fort Myers truck accident attorney.

In addition to the accident, after facing a mishap, the victim has to deal with a large insurance company or truck company for compensation. Claims must be filed within the statute of limitations so that you can receive compensation for the damage and injuries that have been suffered. 

Monetary compensation is often crucial for a victim to make a timely and complete recovery. Because of the complexities and deadlines involved, and the importance of compensation, it becomes essential to enlist help from an experienced truck accident lawyer in Fort Myers. 

What Steps Should I Take After A Truck Accident In Fort Myers?

An individual must always be prepared in case he or she faces an accident. According to the Rocky Mountain Information Administration, in the United States collisions happen every 14 seconds. If those collisions involve large trucks, some of which weigh more than 80,000 pounds, then it can cause dreadful injuries. Such collisions are often harder to avoid. Due to the heavy mass, length, and speed of 18-wheelers, it is difficult to stop a truck immediately. 

Therefore, when a collision happens, any injuries can be more severe and can include permanent damage to different parts of the body such as the spinal cord, brain, or other organs. A victim may also face bone fractures, lacerations, and contusions.

In addition to physical injury, a victim may face psychological injuries including post-traumatic stress disorder. Such psychological injuries may take time to heal, over many weeks, months, or even years. If you are the victim of a truck accident, to free yourself from legal hassle you may seek help from a skilled Fort Myers truck accident attorney.

There are some key steps to take after a truck accident: 

• Try to move the vehicle to the roadside so that traffic can pass safely
• Call for police and emergency medical help.
• Make an effort to set up a road triangle to warn oncoming vehicles of the danger so that vehicles can slow down in time.
• Gather contact information for all parties involved in an accident. The information should include names, addresses, email, phone number, driver’s license number, truck number, insurance information, and trucking company.
• Do not engage in any arguments about fault or how the crash happened.
• Try to gather evidence from the accident scene, including witness accounts and other photos.
• Communicate politely with the police.
• You must not say no to medical treatment, as what seem to be minor injuries are actually more serious, and may only become apparent with time. Your doctor will advise you on your medical condition and you should follow his instructions. 
• Try to contact your insurance company as soon as possible.

A personal Injury Lawyer in Fort Myers will help you learn more about what to do in a truck accident and how to apply for compensation.

What Are the Main Causes of Truck Accidents in Fort Myers?

In the United States, truck drivers face long hours of driving that cause fatigue and tiredness. Truck drivers are responsible for the transportation of goods from one part of the country to another. Although they are supposed to take mandatory breaks, they are often encouraged to complete their trips as soon as possible. This will let them deliver more loads in a short time. Long hours of driving, empty roads, and minimal sleep are some of the reasons why truck drivers may cause an accident.

Many times, truck drivers also consume alcohol or drugs and become impaired or intoxicated, thereby adding to the risk of collision. To lessen the danger created by truck drivers, Federal regulations restrict the time a truck driver can spend driving. These regulations also state that drivers must take rest and overnight stops as well. This regulation is known as the Hours of Service (HOS) rule. 

However, drivers do not always follow these regulations and often want to continue driving, either to finish the job as soon as possible, or to earn more money. Truck companies have no incentive to follow the rule, and so encourage their drivers to complete their assigned tasks in order to make more profit. 

In the case of an accident caused by a drowsy or impaired driver, or a driver exceeding his allowed hours of service, the transportation company becomes liable for any injury or damage caused to a victim. 

Since transportation companies don’t always follow the regulations, an experienced lawyer can be of great help to a victim investigating a case involving injury by a commercial vehicle. 

The Berke Law Firm, P.A. has provided outstanding legal services to clients for almost 35+ year. Our firm provides personalized service and aggressive representation of our clients. Contact an accident lawyer today at Berke Law Firm.