A collision with a tractor-trailer or another large commercial vehicle can leave you facing major injuries and time away from work. A Maitland truck accident lawyer could protect your rights while you focus on your health. A skilled personal injury attorney could also preserve evidence and manage communications with insurers that may begin investigating immediately.
At Colling Gilbert Wright, also known as The Florida Firm Injury and Accident Lawyers, we handle serious injury cases with professionalism and a readiness to go to trial when necessary. Other attorneys and law firms refer clients to us because they trust our team to manage complex litigation with skill and integrity. Fellow professionals also hire us when they need confident, discreet representation.
Why Are Commercial Truck Claims More Complex?
A truck crash claim often involves more than the conduct of one driver. The motor carrier may bear responsibility for unsafe scheduling or poor supervision. A maintenance contractor or parts manufacturer may also share liability. Our attorneys could investigate your truck accident in Maitland by examining the relationships among these parties instead of assuming the driver alone caused the collision.
Federal safety rules may provide important evidence. Under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) § 395.3, federal hours-of-service limits cap many property-carrying drivers at 11 hours of driving, and only within a 14-hour window that follows 10 consecutive hours off duty. A violation of those limits may support a claim that fatigue or unsafe scheduling contributed to the wreck. We examine electronic logging data and driver qualification records to determine what occurred.
Evidence That Establishes Responsibility
Commercial carriers and their insurers often send investigators to the scene soon after a collision. After a truck crash in Maitland, our lawyers understand how quickly crucial evidence may disappear. Federal regulations require many motor carriers to maintain an accident register for three years under 49 C.F.R. § 390.15, but other records may have shorter retention periods. Prompt legal action may help preserve the truck and its onboard data before crucial evidence disappears.
Our team builds a commercial vehicle injury case through careful investigation rather than assumptions. Depending on the circumstances, useful evidence may include:
- Police reports and scene photographs
- Electronic logging device and vehicle data
- Driver employment and qualification records
- Inspection and maintenance documents
- Dispatch messages and delivery schedules
- Witness statements and surveillance video
We also work with technical and medical professionals when their analysis could clarify how the collision occurred. Our decades of successful litigation experience help us recognize where trucking companies and insurers may challenge fault or the value of a claim.
Compensation After a Serious Truck Collision
A truck accident may cause traumatic brain injuries or permanent loss of mobility. Our attorneys could pursue compensation for your injuries from a truck collision in Maitland, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Rehabilitation
- Long-term pain and suffering
When a collision causes death, eligible family members may have rights under state wrongful death laws.
Your own conduct can also affect a truck accident recovery. Under the modified comparative fault standard in Florida Statutes § 768.81, a court generally reduces damages according to an injured person’s share of fault, and a person who bears more than 50 percent responsibility generally cannot recover in a negligence action. Trucking insurers may use this rule to shift blame, so we present the full sequence of events to support a fair assessment of fault.
Deadlines also matter. Fla. Stat. § 95.11generally provides two years to file a negligence action, although a different deadline may apply in some circumstances. Beginning the investigation early gives our attorneys more time to secure records and locate witnesses.
We are not a settlement mill. We prepare each claim with the possibility of trial in mind, which allows us to negotiate with evidence supporting our position. Our lawyers have obtained significant verdicts and settlements in complex injury matters, including a published $20 million auto accident result. Our attorneys have also earned recognition from Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers, among other honors.
Contact Us To Discuss Your Truck Accident With a Maitland Lawyer
A serious commercial vehicle collision may affect your health and family life for years. A Maitland truck accident lawyer from our firm could investigate your crash and pursue compensation that reflects the full impact of your injuries.
Contact Colling Gilbert Wright for a free consultation. We charge no fees or costs unless we obtain compensation for you. Our team could listen to what happened and take action to hold negligent drivers and companies accountable.