Side-impact truck accidents in Pensacola can have serious consequences. Also known as a T-bone accident, these collisions occur when a large commercial vehicle strikes the side of a passenger car. The tremendous impact combined with one of the weaker points of a motor vehicle can lead to life-changing injuries.
If you were hurt in a crash, now is the time to pursue legal action. A skilled semi-truck wreck attorney at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon can investigate your case, negotiate with the other side, and help you get the outcome you deserve.
How Negligence Leads to a T-Bone Truck Crash
Side-impact accidents are dangerous, given that passenger vehicles have limited protection from an impact to that area of the vehicle. The risks are even greater when it comes to a collision with a large commercial vehicle.
These accidents can happen for various reasons, but human error is typically to blame. When a truck driver’s carelessness leads to a crash, they can be held responsible through a personal injury lawsuit. Some factors that might result in a side-impact truck collision in Pensacola include the following:
In addition to mistakes by the motorist, these accidents can also happen due to defective vehicle parts. A failed braking system could prevent a truck operator from avoiding a crash despite their best efforts. In that scenario, legal action against the manufacturer could be an option.
Truck Accidents and PIP Coverage
Florida is one of a handful of “no-fault” states. Instead of pursuing a personal injury lawsuit against the other party in an accident, the law generally requires motorists to file a claim with their own personal injury protection (PIP) policy.
This coverage is helpful when it comes to minor accidents given that it immediately pays for necessary medical care. Unfortunately, the state only requires policy limits of $10,000, which will barely scratch the surface with a severe injury.
There are other downsides to being limited to PIP claims instead of filing a civil lawsuit. While your insurance will pay for your medical bills, other types of compensation are not available. These include lost wages and non-economic damages like your pain and suffering.
The good news is that there are options for avoiding the no-fault insurance system and pursuing legal action against the negligent truck driver. If you can show that you suffered substantial damages beyond what your PIP coverage will pay for, you may be able to step outside the no-fault insurance system.
Another critical part of pursuing a lawsuit is proving that another party’s negligence is to blame for the crash. Often, this involves some kind of human error on behalf of the truck operator. To prove negligence, you will need to show that the trucker’s careless or reckless behavior caused your crash.
An experienced Pensacola attorney can help prove truck driver negligence caused your T-bone crash and identify the amount of compensation you are entitled to recover.
Speak With a Pensacola Attorney After a Side-Impact Truck Accident
If you have been injured in a side-impact truck accident in Pensacola, there is no reason to delay seeking out legal counsel. The right lawyer can help you with every aspect of your case, from investigating who was at fault to negotiating with the trucking company. Call Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon today to learn more.
