Trucks have large blind spots, which can lead to serious accidents. The experienced semi-truck accident attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright—The Florida Firm—represent people who were injured in blind-spot truck accidents in Orlando.
We have a stellar reputation honed over more than 20 years. When local lawyers and other professionals need representation in an injury case, they choose to work with our firm because of our skill, commitment to our clients, and record of success.
Why Do Blind Spot Accidents Occur?
A truck’s large blind spots impact the trucker’s field of vision on all four sides of the vehicle. On a full-sized tractor-trailer, the blind spots can extend over multiple lanes of traffic—these are sometimes called the truck’s “no zones.” Although it is best to avoid driving in a truck’s blind spot if you can, ultimately, it is the trucker’s responsibility to know where nearby vehicles are.
Modern trucks are equipped with multiple mirrors and cameras, so drivers can visually spot vehicles in their blind spots. The trucks also have lane-incursion warning systems and other technologies that allow a trucker to track the location of a nearby vehicle and avoid cut-offs and collisions.
The law obliges truck drivers to exercise the utmost care to avoid harming others. No zone accidents often happen when a trucker is speeding, distracted, or careless. Our Orlando attorneys can investigate a blind spot truck wreck and collect evidence indicating that the truck driver’s conduct was the primary cause of the incident.
Fault Allocation Can Be Tricky in No-Zone Crashes
When you seek compensation for injuries you sustain in an accident, you must prove the harm resulted from another party’s negligence. Sometimes, there are numerous reasons for a wreck, and your negligence could have contributed to it. If you get into a blind-spot wreck, the trucking company will almost certainly try to blame you.
Florida Statutes § 768.81 allows the trucking company to reduce its liability if you are wholly or partially at fault. It can prevent you from obtaining any compensation if it can be demonstrated that you are more than 50 percent responsible. If you are less than 50 percent liable, your compensation will be reduced by a percentage that equals your share of the fault.
Trucking companies have a team of professionals working for them to reduce their liability. You need a knowledgeable advocate to counter their efforts. An experienced blind-spot truck crash attorney in Orlando will work to prove that your responsibility for the accident, if any, is minimal and help preserve your right to full compensation.
Pursuing a Truck Accident Case
Florida’s no-fault system applies to crashes involving commercial vehicles, so your PIP will pay your initial claims for medical care and lost wages. Truck wrecks often cause serious injuries, and if you suffered permanent harm, you can file a claim in court.
You must bring a lawsuit within two years of the accident in most cases. However, it is important to contact an Orlando lawyer immediately so they can begin investigating your blind-spot 18-wheeler accident and building a compelling case while evidence is available and memories are fresh.
Damages Available
When you are seriously injured, your PIP coverage limits will likely be insufficient to cover your medical expenses and lost wages. Your lawsuit can claim reimbursement for any of these excess losses. You can also claim your incidental costs, from parking fees at medical appointments to home renovations necessary to accommodate your injury.
The permanent changes in your lifestyle and quality of life after a serious injury often require the most difficult adjustment. A successful lawsuit allows you to collect compensation for your pain and suffering, not just your out-of-pocket expenses. You can hold the responsible party accountable for your daily pain and inconvenience and the lost ability to participate in activities you once enjoyed.
Our team at The Florida Firm has an impressive record of obtaining substantial compensation for our clients injured in truck wrecks. Many of these cases have produced verdicts and settlements exceeding $500,000.
Seek Compensation After a No Zone Truck Accident With an Orlando Attorney
The legal issues surrounding blind spot truck accidents in Orlando can be complex. Reach out to us at Colling Gilbert Wright for help. We do not charge for expenses or fees unless we obtain compensation for you, so schedule a free consultation with a member of our truck accident team today.