Clearwater Truck Accident Lawyer

Did a truck accident leave you seriously injured, needing expensive medical care, and unable to earn a living? If someone else was to blame, the Clearwater truck accident attorneys with Zervos & Calta, PLLC can fight for the compensation you deserve for these and other losses.

When times are tough, your lawyer should be, too. Let us handle all the details of your truck accident claim while you focus on healing. We have the determination and experience to stand up to trucking and insurance companies to demand maximum financial recovery for you.

Ready to put us to work on your case? Contact us for a free initial claim review to discuss your legal options with a Clearwater truck accident lawyer.

What Makes Clearwater Truck Accidents More Severe Than Car Accidents?

Truck accidents tend to cause more devastating injuries and property damage than motor vehicle accidents involving only passenger cars. The length of a semi truck or trailer means cars in multiple lanes may become involved in a truck accident. A semi truck’s heavier weight also means it collides with more force than a smaller passenger vehicle. More violent forces in truck collisions frequently lead to more severe injuries and property damage.

What Are Common Causes of Truck Crashes in Clearwater?

Many truck crashes in Clearwater happen due to careless errors or recklessness by a semi truck driver or a trucking company. Common causes of truck accidents in Clearwater include:

• Speeding
• Traveling too fast for road and weather conditions
• Tailgating
• Changing lanes or turning without signaling or checking mirrors
• Disregarding traffic signs and signals
• Failing to yield the right of way
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Truck driver inexperience
• Unfamiliarity with the road or traffic patterns
• Inadequate truck inspections and maintenance
• Unsafe cargo, including excessive cargo weight, unbalanced load weight, or unsecured cargo that can shift during transit

What Truck Accidents Occur Most Frequently?

Some of the most frequent types of truck accidents that occur in Clearwater include:

• Truck rollover accidents
• Rear-end collisions
• Head-on collisions
• Sideswipe collisions
• Side-impact or T-bone collisions
• Wide turn accidents
• Underride accidents
• Jackknife accidents
• Cargo accidents

Are There Federal Regulations That Truck Drivers Must Follow?

Federal trucking regulations published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) set various safety obligations for truck drivers. For example, truck drivers have a responsibility to ensure the safe loading of cargo into their trucks. Drivers must stop frequently to ensure cargo remains secured in their trucks. Federal regulations also require truck drivers to conduct pre-trip inspections of their vehicles.

Truck drivers are also subject to hours-of-service regulations that limit their time on duty and behind the wheel to prevent tired driving. These hours-of-service rules state that:

• Drivers may drive for a maximum of 11 hours after 10 hours off-duty.
• Drivers may not drive after the 14th hour on duty following a 10-hour off-duty period.
• Drivers may extend the 11- and 14-hour limits by up to two hours when they encounter bad driving conditions.
• Drivers must take a break of at least 30 minutes after driving for eight hours following their last break or off-duty period.
• Drivers may not drive after spending 60 hours on duty in seven days or 70 hours on duty in eight days. These periods reset after an off-duty period of at least 34 hours.

What Are Common Truck Accident Injuries?

Truck accidents often cause severe injuries like:

• Lacerations and abrasions
• Burns from post-accident fires
• Crush injuries
• Internal injuries and bleeding
• Ligament, tendon, and muscle injuries
• Broken bones
• Neck and back injuries, including whiplash or herniated discs
• Nerve damage
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Dismemberment, amputation, or limb loss

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Clearwater Truck Accident?

The complexity of the trucking industry means that several different parties could be to blame for a given accident, including:

• The truck driver – A truck driver may bear liability for an accident caused by their negligence behind the wheel or in conducting their FMCSA-required duties.
• The trucking company – A trucking company that employs an at-fault driver may have employer liability for a truck accident. It may also bear direct responsibility for a crash if it negligently employed, trained, or supervised an at-fault driver or instructed the driver to drive illegally.
• The shipping company – A shipping company may bear responsibility for a truck accident caused by an unsafe cargo load.
• The manufacturer – A truck manufacturer or manufacturer of a part used on the truck may be responsible for a crash caused by a design or manufacturing defect.

What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?

After an accident with a commercial truck, you can take the following steps to build a solid claim to recover compensation for your injuries and losses:

• Report the accident to the local police or the Florida Highway Patrol.
• Request a copy of the police accident report.
• Seek medical attention to identify any injuries you suffered in the crash.
• Notify your auto insurance company about the accident.
• Get your medical records of your injury treatment and rehabilitation.
• Keep any bills, invoices, receipts, or other records of your expenses from the accident.
• Gather your pay stubs if you miss time from work or have reduced earnings due to your injuries.

You should also contact a Clearwater truck accident lawyer from Zervos & Calta, PLLC as soon as possible. We are ready to pursue the financial resources you need to treat your injuries and get your life back on track.

What Compensation Is Available for a Clearwater Truck Accident Claim?

If another party is found to be at fault for the accident that injured you, they may also have to compensate you for the following:

• Medical treatment and rehabilitation expenses
• Long-term care and support services you may need if you suffer from disabilities
• Ongoing and future losses of income when injuries and disabilities interfere with your ability to continue working in your job
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of quality of life due to disabilities or scarring and disfigurement
• Vehicle repair costs or reimbursement for the value of your car if totaled by the accident

Is There a Statute of Limitations for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

Florida’s statute of limitations for truck accident claims gives you only two years to file a lawsuit against a negligent truck driver or trucking company. Although two years may seem like a long time to file your claim, investigating the truck accident and preparing your case could take quite some time. Filing your lawsuit after the limitations period expires on your truck accident claim risks waiving your rights to recover compensation from responsible parties. You should contact a Clearwater truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after a crash to ensure your lawsuit gets filed on time.