Ocala Truck Accident Lawyer Near You

Glover Law Firm is a truck accident lawyer in Ocala, FL. Commercial trucks are the largest vehicles allowed on roads and are subject to special rules that govern where and when they are allowed to travel. Unfortunately, truck drivers and their companies sometimes flout these laws in an attempt to meet deadlines and turn higher profits. These seemingly innocuous shortcuts can have a profound impact on other drivers, as collisions between commercial trucks and personal cars rarely end well for the drivers of smaller vehicles. Even at low speeds, accidents with commercial trucks can total other vehicles and severely injure their occupants.

Despite the potential for these severe consequences, accidents between commercial trucks and passenger cars are not always the trucker’s fault. With the help of a passionate attorney, the people injured in these cases need to be able to prove it was the trucker’s negligence that led to their injuries. An Ocala truck accident lawyer can lead the way in proving the truck drivers and their companies were legally liable for an individual’s injuries.

Glover Law Firm has settled thousands of Florida injury cases for millions of dollars.

How Frequent Are Truck Accidents in Ocala, FL?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that close to 10 percent of all traffic fatalities involve commercial trucks or 18-wheelers. These vehicles are especially dangerous because of their size and weight. While typical motor vehicles weigh between 3,000 and 4,000 pounds, fully loaded 18-wheelers can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, 20 times the weight of a standard vehicle. This extreme difference in weight not only results in a higher force of impact, but also gives the commercial truck driver less time to slow down or come to stop to avoid an accident. Commercial truck drivers are expected to operate their vehicles safely and abide by all rules and regulations regarding consecutive hours behind the wheel or hours driven without taking a break. When they ignore this standard of care, they are putting innocent lives at risk.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a truck accident and believe the truck driver, trucking company, or anyone else acted negligently, you may be eligible for compensation to help pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other costs. Truck accidents of all types can cause serious damage to victims physically, emotionally, and financially. At Glover Law Firm, the Ocala truck accident lawyers represent the interests of clients who have been injured in truck accidents and pursue negligent truckers and their companies for fair compensation. To discuss whether you have the basis for an accident claim, contact us to schedule a free consultation with our nearby Ocala truck accident lawyers today.

What are Common Causes for Truck Accidents in Ocala, FL?

Commercial vehicles provide an efficient means of transporting tons of goods across the country. In order for this transport to be done in a safe manner, though, there are important safety regulations that must be followed.

All trucks must be properly loaded, both in terms of overall weight and weight distribution. If a truck is overweight, it will be slower to stop in an emergency or may cause the driver to lose control when coming down a hill.

Improperly balanced loads may shift during travel. This redistribution of weight to the sides of the trailer can result in a truck flipping over in tight turns, or may cause the trailer to jackknife when coming to a stop. Improper loading of a truck is a leading cause of truck accidents.

The drivers of the trucks themselves are also a common cause of accidents. Truckers are subject to long hours on the road when forced to meet strict deadlines. This can cause them to drive for entire days without rest, a situation which creates an unnecessary hazard for everyone on the road.

What’s the Legal Basis for a Truck Accident Claim in Ocala, FL?

Any lawsuit over a collision between two vehicles, even those involving commercial trucks, is pursued using the legal theory of negligence. This is because in almost all circumstances the trucker cannot be said to have intended to cause a collision. Even in situations where the driver is badly fatigued or is driving an overloaded trailer, they generally did not intentionally collide with the injured person’s car.

Truck Driver Negligence

The legal basis for almost every truck accident case is negligence. This is a strictly defined cause of action with elements that a plaintiff must be able to prove in court. These elements are:

• That the defendant owed them a legal duty to protect their wellbeing
• That the defendant’s actions breached this duty
• That the breach of the duty caused the injuries

Proving the first element is simple. All drivers, whether operating their own cars, a motorcycle, or a commercial truck, assume a duty to protect every person they may encounter while behind the wheel. Therefore, duty is always present in a truck accident case.

Determining whether the truck driver’s actions breached the duty of care is the core question of most truck accident cases. The simplest cases will include a police report that either places the blame for the collision on the trucker or states that the trucker received a ticket after the accident.

When this is true, the truck driver’s breach of duty is clear. In other cases, a more thorough examination of the collision is necessary to determine who caused the accident.

Truck drivers commonly argue that the other driver was driving in a way that made a collision inevitable. They may argue that the other driver was in their blind spot or was following too closely prior to the accident.

To combat these defenses, a truck accident attorney in Ocala may conduct a full investigation of an accident to learn the truth of the event and strengthen their client’s claim.

It is also possible that the trucking company was to blame. This occurs when the trailer is improperly loaded, either by being overweight or off balance. Laws clearly state maximum weights for trailers on Florida’s roads and a violation of these laws is evidence of negligence. Speak with an Ocala truck accident lawyer to learn more about driver negligence.

What Types of Ocala Truck Accident Cases Does Glover Law Firm Handle?

Truck accidents can occur for a number of reasons. By calling and working with an attorney after an accident, you can rest easy knowing your case is in the best hands. A skilled and experienced attorney will investigate every aspect of your accident, determine who was at fault, and fight for every dollar you need to avoid financial ruin. Some of the common causes of truck accidents in Ocala and Marion County, Florida include:

• Driver fatigue
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription drugs
• Overloading
• Driver error
• Employer negligence
• Mechanical issues
• Truck part defect
• Road hazards & highway debris

Many truck accidents result in broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, neck and spinal cord injuries, and in some cases, death. You need financial compensation to help pay for medical costs, rehabilitation, and lost wages during your recovery, and a lawyer can help you get it. Motorcycle accidents often cause similarly severe injuries. For example, a motorcycle accident led to a settlement of $125,000 after the rider sustained a hand fracture. The injury required $25,000 in medical treatment, including rehabilitation, and the settlement amount reflected both the immediate medical costs and the long-term impact of the injury on the individual’s life and work.

See recent back injury settlements in Florida, and contact an Ocala truck accident attorney to discuss your case.

Proving Injuries in Marion County Truck Accidents

It is also simple to connect the injuries to the accident. In a proper claim, a plaintiff is able to introduce medical records and bills that account for all of the injuries caused by the accident. This can include treatment records for both physical and mental injuries.

While a person can claim both types of injuries, the foundation of any personal injury claim must be physical harm. Claims based on mental anguish alone will fail.

In 2017, a serious truck accident in Ocala occurred when a semi-truck rear-ended a client’s vehicle. The client sustained significant injuries, including neck, shoulder, and back injuries, which required shoulder surgery as part of the recovery process. The case was ultimately settled for $1,100,000, reflecting the extensive medical costs and long-term impact of the injuries. This settlement underscores the legal options available for individuals injured in truck accidents, helping them secure compensation for their medical expenses, pain, and suffering.

Filing a Truck Crash Claim in Florida

The timing of the case is also vital. Under Florida Statute §95.11, any claim based upon the defendant’s negligence, truck accidents included, must be filed in court no more than four years after the incident. This is the statute of limitations.

While many cases may never need to go to court and could end with a settlement, defendant insurance companies are aware of this rule and may not settle cases when the statute of limitations has passed.

Consult with a Marion County truck accident lawyer before filing a truck wreck claim.

Why Do You Need an Ocala Truck Accident Attorney Near You?

One of the most careless and costly mistakes you can make following an accident is failing to hire a personal injury lawyer who is experienced in commercial truck accidents in and around the area of Ocala. Even if you believe the case is black and white and the truck driver was fully responsible for your accident, you still need an attorney by your side to strengthen your case, negotiate with insurance companies or other attorneys, and demand the full amount of compensation necessary to avoid financial ruin. Trucking companies have thousands of vehicles in operation and thousands of drivers on the road every day of the year. Because of these numbers and the significant economic impact of an accident, especially one that injures or kills an innocent motorist or pedestrian, trucking companies have teams of experienced and aggressive attorneys working for them to not only minimize the amount of compensation they pay out but to actively undermine or disprove your case. Don’t make the mistake of trying to handle your case on your own.

How Will Our Ocala Truck Accident Lawyers Help?

Collisions between commercial trucks and other vehicles can result in severe, life-changing injuries. A plaintiff may be looking to recover compensation not only for their medical costs, but also for lost wages and mental anguish. Don’t sit back any longer and let a reckless truck driver or trucking company get away with robbing you of your health, mobility, or ability to work.

Our attorneys understand the immense impact that these accidents can have on people’s lives. That is why we take the lead in all aspects of a personal injury claim related to a truck accident, from completing paperwork to talking with witnesses and insurance companies. Truck accident cases can be incredibly complicated, so you need an attorney who is experienced in truck accidents to handle it every step of the way. By placing your case and your future in the hands of a Ocala truck accident lawyer, our clients can focus on their recovery and get their lives back to normal.

At Glover Law Firm, we treat our clients with respect and care and promise to do everything possible to get you the compensation you need to move on with your life. Contact an Ocala truck accident lawyer near you today to see how we can help you.

What Our Clients Say About Ocala Truck Accident Lawyers Near You

“Gordon is professional, patient, kind, and knowledgeable. From the first encounter I had with him, he was very kind and attentive. He was responsive throughout the entire process and consistently advocated for me. I would recommend him to anyone in need of legal counsel, as I had a very pleasant experience with him.”

By: April McDonald
Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jan 1, 2022
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A Ocala & Marion County Truck Accident Attorney Near You Fights for Victims

The aftermath of a truck accident places many stressors on people already dealing with severe injuries. On top of making a recovery, they may be missing time at work and dealing with aggressive insurance companies.

An Ocala truck accident lawyer at Glover Law Firm  is here to take those stressors off victims’ shoulders and to push for the compensation they deserve. A lawyer can take the lead in investigating the accident, filing the necessary paperwork, and engaging in settlement negotiations for the full value of your claim. Time is limited to file a case so do not delay; contact a truck accident attorney today.

Not in Ocala or Marion County? Get in touch with our experienced truck accident lawyers in The Villages or truck accident lawyers in Lake County.