Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers has handled dozens of Fort Lauderdale truck accident cases in our firm’s history. Sadly, these crashes are all too common on Fort Lauderdale’s busy highways. We understand the state and federal laws regulating the commercial trucking industry and know how to file the right paperwork to get the claims process moving as soon as possible for clients.
We can help you fight to recover your medical costs, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering from a big-rig wreck. You can call our Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyers now for legal advice and a free, no-obligation consultation.
Understanding Fort Lauderdale Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can result in devastating consequences, causing severe injuries, property damage, and even fatalities. These accidents often involve large commercial trucks, such as tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and big rigs, which can outweigh passenger vehicles by several tons. Due to their size and weight, truck accidents tend to be more complex than typical car accidents and require a thorough investigation to determine liability. At Chalik & Chalik Injury & Accident Lawyers, we have a team of experienced Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyers who are dedicated to helping victims and their families recover from the aftermath of these traumatic events. We understand the unique challenges that arise in truck accident cases and are committed to fighting for the rights of those injured in these collisions.
Find a Fort Lauderdale Truck Accidents Lawyer
Near Me (954) 476-1000
How Our Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help Your Case
Truck accident victims have the right to seek fair compensation for their injuries and losses because of someone else’s negligence. Their families might be able to recover financial compensation from the liable party or parties in fatal truck accident cases.
It is often difficult to manage the legal process while recovering from accident injuries. Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers can manage your entire legal case from start to finish, giving you time to focus on recovery while seeking to hold the negligent party accountable. Our legal professionals serving the Fort Lauderdale area can take care all the following when we work on your case:
- Investigate the truck accident (and even the accident scene) to determine what happened and why
- Collect evidence that supports your accident claims, including medical records, witness testimony, police reports, traffic cam surveillance, photos and videos, and dashcam footage, among other things
- Take legal action to protect time-sensitive evidence that could help your case (e.g., the truck’s dashcam footage, electronic data recorder information, the driver’s logbooks, the truck company’s vehicle service and maintenance records)
- Identify all potentially liable parties who may owe you compensation
- Establish how liable parties’ negligence caused the Fort Lauderdale-area commercial truck accident
- Negotiate with insurance providers for a fair settlement
- File a civil lawsuit on your behalf by the state’s filing deadline if we cannot settle your case outside of court
- Review all potential settlement offers you receive to determine that you receive awards that meet your post-accident needs
- Represent you at trial as we seek recovery in court
- Manage all case-related communications so that you can focus solely on your recovery
- Update you regularly on your case’s status, explain all applicable state and federal laws that apply to your case, and answer your questions
Chalik & Chalik Truck Accidents Lawyer Near Me (954) 476-1000
Our Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Attorneys Can Work on Your Case Without Fees or Costs
Our legal team works on contingency, making representation affordable and accessible. Medical expenses, lost income, and other challenges can make it difficult to pay for effective representation up front. Contingency agreements, however, allow us to bypass financial hurdles and start on your case as promptly as possible.
This means that once we accept your case, we can take of everything for you without you paying us up front. We recover compensation only if you do. If we win your case, we take our payment as a percentage of your settlement or court-ordered award. We can explain this payment arrangement further during a free consultation.
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Limited Time to Take Action in a Florida Injury Case
We encourage you to reach out to us as soon as possible after the trucking crash in Fort Lauderdale. Florida law limits the time injured parties can take legal action to recover their losses from the at-fault driver and other responsible parties.
Our truck accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale generally have two years from the accident date to pursue damages for a truck accident injury, per Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a). Parties seeking damages for wrongful death claims generally have two years from their loved one’s death date to file a lawsuit (Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(d)).
Call us today so that we can protect your right to sue and start on your case. We will ensure that we file your case on time, which is one less thing to worry about as you heal from the accident. Here’s
For a free legal consultation with a Chalik & Chalik lawyer serving Fort Lauderdale, call (954) 476-1000
Hear From Our Clients
We are proud of the service we provide for our clients and seek to help them in every way possible. Our case results speak for themselves, including the $325,000 award we recovered for one client who suffered complex regional pain syndrome after a truck accident. Here’s one client’s review of our services:
“I just wanted to extend my gratitude to Wally & Chalik & Chalik for all their help. She has been amazing and very fast to respond to my emails and questions, and I much appreciate her patience with me. I will definitely be recommending your firm.” -Nissan Benjamin
To read more about what other clients say about working with us, check our testimonials page.
Recoverable Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Damages
Large truck accidents are more likely to result in the injury and death of passenger vehicle drivers, not truck drivers. The size and weight of 18-wheelers exert too much kinetic energy on smaller passenger vehicles, leading to severe injuries to people inside the smaller vehicle. Unfortunately, negligent truck drivers and trucking companies are often at fault for these pickup truck wrecks – the parties that typically suffer the least damage.
The damages for other parties, the people inside smaller passenger vehicles, are often severe and life-threatening. The injuries they suffer can affect them for the rest of their lives. Our Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorneys can recover economic and non-economic damages for you, such as the following:
- Medical care and rehabilitation expenses
- Loss of income and benefits
- Lost or reduced earning ability
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Impaired quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
Wrongful Death Damages
Some families can recover damages in a wrongful death lawsuit if they lose a loved one to fatal injuries in a truck accident. Our personal injury lawyers can explain how Florida wrongful death actions work and which family members can pursue these losses. Qualifying relatives could recover the following:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- The decedent’s medical bills from the time of their injury to their death
- Household income the decedent would have made
- Other applicable losses
Punitive Damages
In rare cases, Florida courts can award injured parties punitive damages if they find a defendant’s negligent behavior was extremely and reasonably reckless or careless. While these damages are rare, they are possible. If they apply to your case, we can explain how they would work. Courts usually award them in addition to other recoverable damages.
We Will Seek Your Full Recovery From a Fort Lauderdale Truck Crash
Our truck accident attorney serving Fort Lauderdale will evaluate the extent of the damages you or a loved one suffered and account for every loss suffered. We will also assign a dollar amount to your case. We will request this amount and seek to gain the maximum compensation we can as we pursue your recovery.
If you or someone you love was recently involved in an accident with a large truck in Fort Lauderdale, speak to personal injury attorneys Jason and Debi Chalik of the Law Offices of Chalik & Chalik for legal advice.
Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Liability: Who Can Be Held Accountable for Your Losses?
Commercial trucks are unique in that they must obey all roadway rules in Fort Lauderdale and federal rules regarding large truck maintenance and performance. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes laws regarding truck drivers’ hours of service, fleet upkeep, and cargo loading – to name a few out of hundreds of regulations.
Trucking companies must engage in sound hiring and training practices and perform checks on vehicle maintenance and inspections. Breaking any of the laws surrounding trucking and resulting in an accident is an act of negligence. Further, truck drivers must comply with stringent federal and state guidelines concerning the number of hours they drive, repair schedules, warning signals, the kind of freight that is transported, and on what roads the freight is transported. Lack of compliance with such guidelines could be the cause of a collision.
Truck drivers receive training and are certified operators of trucks who must drive their vehicles with due care in accordance with certain regulations and laws that apply to commercial truck drivers. Thus, truck drivers are held to a higher standard than standard motorists, and their cases are frequently worth much more than the usual accident claim because of the resources of the trucking companies.
Truck Accidents Often Involve Multiple Liable Parties
Based on the above information, it is possible that more than one person or entity could be responsible for your truck accident. In addition to the truck’s driver, our law firm could hold any of the following responsible for your injuries and losses:
- The company that employs or contracts with the driver
- The truck’s manufacturer or a truck parts maker
- A repair shop or crew responsible for the truck’s cargo
- A city, town, county, or other government agency responsible for upkeep where the accident occurred
- Another road user, such as a motorist or motorcyclist, or pedestrian
Establishing Negligence Is an Important Part of Your Case
Our truck accident attorneys will have a better understanding of who to hold accountable once we understand how it happened. We will also establish how each party demonstrated negligence in your case.
Our case evidence must show how each party owed you a duty of care to prevent harms that could cause or lead to a motor vehicle accident, failed to uphold this duty, causing an accident that harmed you and caused you compensatory damages.
Hiring legal representation ensures you hold everyone accountable for your losses and seek the damages you receive.
7 Most Common Truck Accident Causes in Fort Lauderdale include:
Trucking accidents happen for various reasons, and they can happen to any truck type, from tow trucks and fuel tanker trucks to flatbed trucks and 18-wheelers. Truck driver error is the most common reason for accidents involving these large vehicles, according to FMCSA. The federal agency reports that driver error causes nearly 80% of rollover truck accidents on roads in the United States.
Other reasons for truck accidents include:
- Incompetent truck drivers
- Drowsy driving due to driver fatigue after logging long hours on the road or not getting proper rest
- Distracted driving (e.g., using a cell phone or eating while behind the wheel)
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including those sold by prescription or over the counter
- Lost loads that weren’t adequately secured
- Tire blowouts
- Brake failure
- Improper braking techniques
If a truck driver’s act of negligence or recklessness causes the crash, the courts will almost always hold the trucking company liable. In the past, companies avoided liability by renting fleets and hiring independent contractors. However, the law today makes trucking companies responsible for trucks and drivers operating under the company’s name.
Accident victims can pursue compensation through the trucking company’s insurer in most cases. If the accident resulted from another factor, such as another driver on the road, a failed truck part, or a roadway hazard, the third party may share or take over liability for the crash.
Pickup Truck Accidents in Fort Lauderdale
A four-door sedan generally weighs about 3,000 pounds. Pickup trucks and other small trucks can weigh anywhere from two to three times as much. Because of the force and weight these vehicles bring to serious wrecks, auto accidents involving pickup trucks can have devastating or even deadly outcomes.
The worst type of collision involving pickup trucks is one in which another smaller car is involved. The injuries sustained by the driver and passengers of the smaller car, which are likely more severe than those sustained by those in the pickup truck, may include:
- Burns or lacerations
- Broken or fractured bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Death
You can speak to our Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer for more information about injuries sustained following a truck accident.
Possible Causes of Truck Wrecks in Fort Lauderdale
Trucks frequently have massive tank bodies that can affect maneuverability and halting. In addition, if a tanker truck is transporting chemicals, the liquid might move back and forth and create an imbalance in steering. Moreover, the majority of tractor-trailers apply an air brake system whereby pressure is used to add braking force.
Correct usage of air brakes can aid in preventing a truck from sliding and jackknifing, which occurs when a tractor starts to skid, and if the skid is not corrected in a timely fashion, the trailer pushes the tractor around until the cab strikes the trailer. If a brake system is not balanced, it can adversely affect the steering, control, and stopping distance.
Common FAQs – Fort Lauderdale Truck Accidents
What are common causes of truck accidents in Fort Lauderdale?
Common causes of truck accidents in Fort Lauderdale include driver fatigue, speeding, distracted driving, improper lane changes, inadequate training, mechanical failures, and overloaded trucks. Trucking companies’ negligence and failure to adhere to safety regulations can also contribute to accidents.
How can I determine liability in a Fort Lauderdale truck accident?
Determining liability in a truck accident requires a detailed investigation. Your Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer will gather evidence such as witness statements, accident reports, black box data, trucking company records, and logbooks to establish liability. Truck accidents may involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, maintenance providers, and others.
Can I pursue compensation if I was partially at fault for the truck accident?
Yes, Florida follows a comparative negligence system, which means you can still seek compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, your compensation may be reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned to you. Having an experienced Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer can help protect your rights and maximize your potential compensation.
What damages can I recover in a Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawsuit?
In a truck accident lawsuit, you may be entitled to various damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, rehabilitation costs, and future medical care. If a loved one died in the accident, you may also be eligible to pursue wrongful death damages.
Why is it crucial to hire a Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer for my case?
Truck accident cases can be highly complex, involving federal and state regulations, multiple parties, and insurance companies with aggressive legal teams. A skilled Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer can navigate the complexities of your case, protect your rights, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Call Us Today for Help With a Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident
Semi-trucks merging on top of vehicles, failing to brake fast enough, or overturning on the highway are, unfortunately, rather common news headlines for Floridians. Despite plenty of laws that strive to make trucking safer for all involved, the sheer volume of trucks on the highways poses a threat to Fort Lauderdale drivers and those throughout South Florida.
Defensive driving can only help so much when it comes to preventing a truck accident. Sometimes, another party’s negligence makes a devastating crash inevitable. When the worst truck wrecks happen, know you have lawyers willing to come to your aid in South Florida. Call Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers’ truck accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale today for a free consultation. We are ready to handle your claim for damages or a lawsuit.
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Call or text Chalik & Chalik (954) 476-1000
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