If you were injured in a truck accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses. The Orlando truck accident lawyers at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law can help you maximize your recovery. Call us today at (407) 801-3000.
As experienced lawyers in Orlando, FL, we have over 100 years of experience helping accident victims. Our attorneys have helped our clients recover the compensation they need and deserve, including tens of millions of dollars.
Contact us today for a free and confidential case review of your truck accident case.
Why Choose Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law After My Truck Accident in Orlando?
With over 75 years of combined experience and a proven track record of recovering significant compensation for clients injured in truck accidents, our personal injury attorneys in Orlando bring deep expertise and insider knowledge from previously defending insurance companies.
Some of our most noteworthy case results include the following:
- $8.5 million recovered after a truck crash
- $750,000 recovered after a truck wreck
- A settlement of $700,000 for a motor vehicle crash
- $400,000 recovered after a truck accident
Our attorney’s dedication has received accolades from respected organizations, including:
- Super Lawyers
- The National Trial Lawyers
- The Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
One of our attorneys is also a Board Certified Specialist in Civil Trial Law—a distinction held by only 7% of lawyers in Florida. Over the last four years, our skilled legal team has recovered millions for our clients, and we are ready to fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Why Should I Hire an Orlando Truck Accident Lawyer?
Truck accidents in Orlando, FL, often leave devastation in their wake. Commercial trucks are much bigger and heavier than passenger vehicles, so accident victims often suffer catastrophic injuries. You will need to be able to focus on your recovery. Meanwhile, a truck accident lawyer can handle your claim while you recover.
When you hire a lawyer, you can count on them to:
- Assess your claim during a free case review
- Explain the complex laws that apply to your case
- Advise you of your legal rights and options
- Investigate your accident
- Gather evidence to prove who is responsible for your injuries
- Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and at-fault parties
- Work to secure the highest amount of compensation available for your case
- Take prompt legal action in your case
Contact our Orlando truck accident attorneys today for a free case review and to learn more about your options.
What Is My Truck Accident Case Worth?
Determining an appropriate amount of compensation in a truck accident claim can be challenging. Many factors can affect the potential value of your claim, including the nature and severity of your injuries. Your personal injury lawyer may advise you to wait until you have fully recovered or reached maximum medical improvement so that your damages can be more accurately estimated.
Your medical team may be able to give a better idea about the future medical care needs at this time. Additionally, economic experts could more accurately estimate the effect of your injuries on your earning potential.
Your lawyer will ensure that all of your damages are calculated and included in a demand package so you do not settle your claim for less than it is worth. An attorney can advise you if a settlement offer is fair or if your interests would be better served by going to trial.
What Damages Are Available In Truck Accident Cases?
Many truck accident victims want to know what kind of compensation they might be able to recover. They can receive economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages will cover your financial losses, for example:
- Medical expenses and ongoing medical care costs.
- Lost wages due to missed work
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages will cover other losses, such as:
- The loss or reduction in your long-term earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Quality of life
- PTSD
Punitive damages are rarely awarded, but they may be available when the defendant’s actions involved extreme recklessness or malicious intent. These damages punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future.
An experienced truck accident lawyer can investigate your case and determine all of the potential damages you might be able to recover.
Wrongful Death Damages You Could Recover in a Commercial Truck Accident
If you lose a family member in a truck accident caused by an at-fault driver’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing, you could be entitled to recover damages.
Wrongful death damages after a commercial truck accident may include the following:
- Funeral expenses
- Burial costs
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Loss of companionship
In rare instances, punitive damages may also be awarded in wrongful death cases if there is clear and convincing evidence of intentional misconduct or gross negligence.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Case in Florida?
If you were injured in a truck accident, you generally have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida.
You may have less time if your claim is against a governmental entity, such as if a city dump truck was involved in the accident. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can investigate your case to determine the time limit that applies to your lawsuit.
How Are Truck Accidents Different From Other Accidents?
Truck accidents differ from other accidents in a variety of ways, including the following:
- A trucking company may be at fault
- The injuries may be more severe due to the large size of trucks
- Multiple parties are often liable
- It can take trucks longer to stop than smaller vehicles
- Truck drivers are subject to specific regulations
- There is a greater risk of devastating property damage
- Improperly loaded cargo can cause a crash
- Lack of adequate training can increase the likelihood of a collision occurring
These cases can also be more challenging to navigate than other types of motor vehicle accidents. A lawyer can help you hold the driver and trucking company accountable for your injuries and losses.
Federal Trucking Laws
Trucking companies are required to follow various federal laws that dictate everything from:
- Driver qualifications
- Speed limits
- Hours truck drivers can work
- When drivers must take breaks
- How cargo must be secured
When a crash occurs, it is important that an experienced team work to determine the cause of the accident and who is responsible.
We Handle All Types of Orlando Truck Accidents
Jackknife Accidents
When drivers lose control or stop suddenly, a jackknife accident may occur. These accidents often lead to severe injuries and even fatalities. Our Orlando jackknife accident lawyers can help hold the at-fault driver and trucking company accountable.
Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents are devastating for motorists and passengers. These crashes often result in significant medical bills, vehicle repair estimates, and time missed from work. Our Orlando rollover accident attorneys can help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Underride Accidents
Underride accidents occur when smaller vehicles slide under trucks. When these crashes occur, it may be challenging to determine the cause and who was at fault. Our Orlando underride accident attorneys can provide the guidance you need.
Lost Cargo Accidents
Lost cargo accidents often happen when cargo is not secured properly, begins to shift, and falls off the truck. Our Orlando lost cargo accident lawyers are here to offer the support you need as you seek to move forward.
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe accidents frequently happen as trucks sway and vehicles change lanes. Our Orlando sideswipe attorneys can help identify what caused your crash and any at-fault parties.
We also handle:
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Orlando?
If you’ve been involved in a truck wreck in Orlando, your first priorities should be your safety and laying the groundwork for a potential injury claim. Trucking companies and their insurers move quickly to minimize liability, so it’s crucial that you take key steps early on to protect your rights and strengthen your case.
Here’s what to do immediately after a truck crash:
- Call 911 right away: Request medical assistance and law enforcement to document the crash and assess injuries on the scene.
- Follow emergency responders’ instructions: Let paramedics evaluate you, even if you think your injuries are minor—some symptoms may be delayed.
- Document the accident scene: Take photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, and any visible injuries.
- Exchange information: Get the truck driver’s name, employer, insurance details, license plate, and contact info. Collect the same from other drivers involved.
- Speak to witnesses: Ask for names, phone numbers, and a brief summary of what they saw. Eyewitness testimony can help establish fault.
- Seek medical care: Go to a hospital or urgent care as soon as possible. A full evaluation is essential for your health and your legal claim.
- Avoid speaking to the trucking company’s insurance reps: Politely decline to give statements or sign anything until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
- Contact a truck accident lawyer: An experienced attorney can begin investigating the crash, securing evidence, and negotiating with insurers on your behalf.
Even if you feel overwhelmed, taking these steps will give you the best possible chance of recovering the full compensation you’re owed. Your attorney will thoroughly investigate the case, including the driver’s record, company safety violations, vehicle maintenance history, and electronic data, to establish fault and fight for your rightful compensation.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accident victims may suffer various types of injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries – The force of impact can result in traumatic brain injuries that forever alter victims’ lives. Traumatic brain injuries can happen when a vehicle occupant hits their head into the steering, dashboard, or other hard objects.
- Burns – Trucks often include hazardous materials, many of which are flammable. When a crash occurs, there could be fires or explosions that cause painful burns.
- Whiplash – Whiplash is a painful neck injury when the neck suddenly snaps forward and back because of an external force.
- Facial injuries – Cuts, scrapes, and bruises to the face may require reconstructive surgery. The force of impact can also result in dental trauma.
- Broken bones – The force of a truck accident can result in complex and multiple fractures. These could require surgery in some situations.
An experienced attorney can work with you to ensure all of your injuries are properly diagnosed and documented.
Who Could Be Liable for My Truck Accident?
One of the factors that could make a claim much more complicated than a car accident claim is that many parties may share in the responsibility for a truck accident, such as:
Truck Driver
The first party you might turn to for financial accountability is the truck driver. The driver may have been distracted, speeding, or impaired and responsible for your injuries.
Trucking Company
Trucking companies are responsible for the negligence of the drivers they hire.
Trucking companies can also be held responsible for their own negligence, such as:
- Hiring unqualified drivers
- Keeping unsafe drivers on the road
- Failing to maintain their fleet
- Encouraging drivers to violate hours-of-service rules
- Violating federal, state, or local laws
An experienced truck accident lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation to find evidence of the trucking company’s negligence.
A Manufacturer
Truck and part manufacturers may be held liable for injuries caused by a defective part in the truck.
Cargo Loading Company
Cargo loading companies can be held responsible for accidents caused when the cargo is not secured properly and shifts during transit.
Because each party may try to shift the blame to other parties for any accident, it is essential to work with a lawyer. Doing so can help you gather evidence to establish fault in your case.
Common Causes of Trucking Accidents
Many different reasons can cause trucking accidents.
Some of the most common causes of trucking accidents in Florida include:
- Drowsy driving – Truck driving can be exhausting. Additionally, truckers may find it difficult to sleep during transit. This can lead to many tired drivers on the road, who pose a risk to other motorists.
- Speeding – Truck drivers must meet tight and often unrealistic deadlines to get their goods quickly to their destination. These pressures often encourage truckers to speed.
- Impaired driving – Some truck drivers turn to drugs and alcohol. Drunk driving is dangerous in any vehicle, but it is even more so in a truck weighing up to 80,000 pounds.
- Cargo shifts – Cargo that is not properly secured can shift during transit, making the truck imbalanced and causing the truck to jackknife. Cargo could also fall off the truck into the pathway of unsuspecting motorists.
- Driver error – Trucks are difficult to operate. When trucking companies have unqualified drivers, accidents may occur because drivers turn too widely, fail to check their blind spots, or commit other driving errors.
Many different parties could potentially be responsible for these types of accidents.
Truck Accident FAQ’s
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
Most lawyers in Orlando, FL, work on a contingency fee basis. This fee arrangement allows you to hire excellent legal representation without paying upfront fees. Instead, you only pay attorney’s fees if you win compensation through a settlement agreement or trial award. If you lose your case, you are not required to pay attorney’s fees.
If your case is won, your lawyer will receive an agreed-upon percentage of your overall compensation. Reach out to our law office to learn more about our contingency fee arrangements.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed for the Truck Accident?
Florida is a modified comparative negligence state. This allows you to recover compensation if you are partially at fault for your truck accident.
However, the amount of compensation you receive will be reduced in proportion to your fault. You will be barred from recovering damages entirely if you are 51% or more to blame.
Determining Fault in a Truck Accident Case
Many truck accidents arise out of negligence. In order to establish negligence, you must prove that a duty was owed and breached, causing your accident, and you suffered damages. Experienced lawyers know the type of evidence that can help establish liability.
A lawyer will work quickly to identify, preserve, and gather compelling evidence such as:
- The damaged truck and parts
- Crash reports
- Doctor’s notes
- Witness statements
- Lading information
- Inspection reports
- Onboard camera footage
- Personnel records
- Event data recorders
- Cell phone records
- Reports from expert witnesses
A lawyer can also ensure you take legal action in a timely manner.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Compassionate Orlando Truck Accident Lawyers
If you were injured or lost a loved one in Orlando, FL, our attorneys at Norden Leacox can help. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with our Orlando truck accident attorney.
Additional Resources and Recent Blog Posts
- Truck Accident Police Report
- FL Department of Transportation
- FL Transportation Commission
- What Are Hours of Service Rules for Truck Drivers in Florida?
Truck Accident Infographic
