While any motor vehicle accident can lead to catastrophic injuries, accidents involving large commercial vehicles can be life-altering. Big rig trucks are much longer than other vehicles; this limits their ability to see, increasing their blind spots. They are also heavier, making them harder to steer and increasing their stopping distance. The combination of these factors increases the chance of collisions when compared to smaller vehicles. With their increased height and weight, trucks cause more damage in a collision than normal. This is why the risk of serious injuries is more likely during a truck wreck.
In Florida, whether you have a serious bodily injury is an important consideration. Generally, Florida law does not allow people to recover non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, for injuries. However, Florida Statutes § 627.737 permits recovery of these damages if someone has a serious bodily injury. Since these injuries are common in truck accidents, you may have a claim under this statute. An attorney who handles serious injury truck accidents in Pace could help you understand your potential legal rights and remedies.
Some walk away from a truck accident with little to no injuries; others can sustain life-threatening injuries. This can lead to extensive medical bills, lost wages, and a loss of earning capacity. In addition, after a truck crash resulting in serious injuries, you and your family may experience emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium.
Getting the help of a seasoned legal professional who handles serious injury truck wrecks in Pace is essential to a proper recovery. Our dedicated team of lawyers at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon can ensure that the court understands the full extent of your injuries. Even more significantly, with an attorney’s help, the insurers know that the court will learn the extent of your injuries.
That knowledge can encourage insurers to increase settlement offers to avoid going to court. Fair settlement offers are always ideal in a truck accident case. Do not succumb to the pressure the insurance companies place on you by accepting a low settlement offer. You are entitled to receive fair compensation for the extent of your injuries.
Two main factors influence the potential amount of settlements or court awards following a serious injury truck collision in Pace:
Florida is partially a no-fault state. It requires all drivers to have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to cover minor injuries. PIP insurance claims are no-fault, so a person does not need to demonstrate fault to collect under these policies. The statutory minimum amount of PIP is $10,000, but people can elect to carry higher amounts of insurance. If someone has minor injuries, the no-fault PIP coverage will pay for them.
Under Florida Statutes § 627.737, people who have serious bodily injuries can collect damages that other plaintiffs cannot. The statute defines serious bodily injuries as permanent injuries that are either deadly or life-threatening, lead to a loss of bodily function, or disfigure or scar people. Crossing the serious injury threshold means that you can file suit for pain and suffering and other damages based on mental anguish.
For more severe injuries, Florida Statutes § 768.81 relies on the idea of modified comparative fault. Under this doctrine, multiple people can be responsible for an accident leading to injuries. You can recover if you are not more than 50 percent responsible for your injuries. You can even recover from other parties who are less than 50 percent responsible, if your own fault is not more than 50 percent. This distinction is important as truck accidents are often complex, involving multiple vehicles that share some of the responsibility.
A tractor-trailer collision with serious bodily injuries can turn your life upside down. Whether you are the victim or caregiver, you must adjust to a new reality.
Enlisting the help of an experienced lawyer is critical after being involved in a serious injury truck accident in Pace. Our team of professionals at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon can review your case and let you know what legal options may be available. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about your rights and for help pursuing the justice you deserve.