Have you or a loved one been injured in a truck accident in Destin, Florida? If so, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Brannon & Brannon Personal Injury Attorneys can help you understand your legal options—and then help you fight for the money you deserve.
Since 1990, our Destin truck accident lawyers have proudly served clients in Okaloosa County and throughout Northwest Florida hurt by someone else’s carelessness. We’ve won millions of dollars in life-changing awards for victims just like you.
Contact our law firm today to see how we can help. We offer free consultations, so call now at (850) 842-2573.
How Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Truck Accident in Destin
Dealing with the fallout of a traumatic crash with a big rig can be overwhelming. You deserve to take the time you need to get better and rest. You don’t need to worry about whether you can pay your bills. Let Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers help you carry the burden.
A Destin personal injury attorney will:
- Thoroughly investigate your truck accident to pinpoint the cause
- Collect and examine evidence needed to build your case
- Handle all communication and negotiations with insurance companies
- Send a top-rated trial lawyer to fight your case in court, if necessary
We routinely obtain six-figure awards for injured victims. We’re frequently successful at the negotiation stage. Having a former insurance defense attorney leading our team has its advantages. But our experienced litigators are always ready to take your case to trial.
Call our Destin, FL law office for a free consultation today so we can start fighting for you.
How Common Are Truck Accidents?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, across the U.S. in 2019:
- More than 1,400 collisions per day involved big rigs
- A total of 538,000 big trucks were involved in accidents, up 5% from the previous year
- 5,005 of those resulted in fatalities
- 159,000 truck accidents caused injuries
- 69% of people injured were occupants of vehicles other than the truck
- 25% of fatal truck crashes occur on interstate highways
In Florida in 2019, 678 fatal vehicle crashes involved a big truck. That’s nearly two a day.
What is My Truck Accident Case Worth?
Each case is different because of its unique facts. To get a better idea of the value of your case, contact our Destin truck accident attorneys for a free case evaluation.
Some factors that we’ll ask about include:
- The severity of your injuries
- Whether you missed work (and if so, for how long)
- Whether you’re expected to make a full recovery
- Whether anyone depends on you for income
- Whether you were at fault for the accident
We work diligently to get the full compensation that you rightfully deserve.
What Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
If you were hurt due to someone else’s carelessness, we make it our mission to hold them financially accountable to you. You can seek damages for direct financial costs related to your injuries as well as the emotional toll the accident caused.
Economic damages compensate you for monetary losses. They help make you financially whole.
Theses can include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Nursing care
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages are less concrete and include things like:
- Disability
- Suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
Punitive damages may be available in rare cases. These are awarded only in cases where the defendant’s conduct was extremely reckless.
We know that money can’t turn back the clock. But it’s unfair for you to foot the bill for expenses incurred due to an accident caused by someone else. And a substantial award can help bring security to the future for you and your family after the devastation of a catastrophic accident.
I’m Being Blamed For a Truck Accident in Florida – Can I Still Get Money?
Yes. Florida is a “no-fault” state when it comes to motor vehicle accidents. This means you will get some money from your own insurance company, even if you were at fault.
If your insurance doesn’t cover all of your losses, you can seek compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company or you can file a lawsuit. If you’re at fault, you’ll still be able to recover some compensation as long as you are not mostly responsible for the accident.
But, under Florida’s modified comparative fault statute, you’ll see a reduction in compensation by the percentage of fault attributed to you.
With Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers on your side, you’ll have the knowledge and training of a former insurance defense attorney working to your benefit. We know the common tactics they use to get out of paying your claim—and we know what it takes to fight them.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation For All of Your Truck Accident Injuries
Compared to an average car accident, crashes involving semi-trucks or other big rigs usually involve more serious injuries.
Some possible injuries are:
- Traumatic brain injuries and other head injuries
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Concussion
- Amputations
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Wrongful death
You should seek medical attention immediately after your accident. You may not realize the extent of your injuries. Documentation close in time to the crash is vital for your case.
We work with your medical providers to make sure we account for the full extent of your injuries. This includes future medical treatment and long-term care.
What Causes Most Truck Accidents?
Carelessness is the cause of most accidents involving commercial trucks and other big rigs. Semi-trucks big and heavy, thus they are hard to maneuver. It takes them longer to stop, and they can’t dodge obstacles quickly. When a truck driver is careless, the results can be catastrophic.
Some common causes of truck accidents are:
- Distracted driving
- Driver error
- Speeding
- Fatigued truck drivers
- Unsafe lane changes
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Improper driver training
- Negligent truck maintenance
- Following too closely, leading to rear-end collisions
- Obstacles in the road
- Other motorists driving in a truck’s blindspot
Truck accidents are rarely simple. Our Destin personal injury attorneys have extensive experience with complex cases. We work with experts to determine the precise cause of the accident. It’s critical to identify all potentially liable parties. In cases involving semi-trucks, there are often multiple parties that need to be held accountable.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Truck Accident in Florida?
Most cases will be based on negligence, which is the legal theory used to hold someone financially responsible when they fail to act reasonably under the circumstances.
To prove negligence, you’ll need to prove each of its four elements:
- Duty: the defendant owed you a duty of care
- Breach: the defendant breached the duty of care
- Causation: the defendant’s breach of duty caused your injuries
- Damages: you suffered actual damages as a result
You must prove each element by a preponderance of the evidence. This legal standard is less stringent than what you’d have to prove in a criminal case. You just have to show that the evidence tips in your favor.
To prove your case, you might use evidence such as:
- Your own testimony
- Eyewitness testimony
- Testimony from the truck driver or company representative
- Data from the truck’s DOT log, electronic control module (ECM), or event data recorder (EDR)
- Proof of negligent hiring practices
- Police reports
- Expert testimony, such as from accident reconstructionists or medical professionals
Having the right attorney handle your case makes a difference. Not just between winning and losing, but in the amount of your award.
Choose a Destin personal injury lawyer at Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers.
We have experience litigating complex cases. This means we aren’t afraid to advise you to turn down a settlement offer that is less than what you deserve. We aren’t afraid to fight your case at trial.
Who’s Responsible for My Truck Accident Injuries?
It could be any number of parties, beginning with your own insurance. In Florida, drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (“PIP”) coverage. After a crash, your own insurance company will be your first line of compensation.
PIP coverage often doesn’t cover all of your damages. Particularly in truck accidents, which often cause significant injuries and property damages. In that case, you might be able to look to the at-fault party’s insurance provider or file a lawsuit if necessary.
We can help even if there is never a need to file a lawsuit. Having a former insurance defense attorney negotiate your claim can be incredibly helpful.
Trucking accidents can involve any number of liable parties, including:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company owner
- Property owner where the accident occurred, such as a loading dock
- Company responsible for loading or storing the cargo
- Company responsible for truck maintenance
- Manufacturer of truck equipment
- Driver of other vehicles
In complicated situations such as a big rig collision, you’ll likely need to seek payment from more than one party. We have a track record of success with complex cases.
When Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident in Florida?
You must file your lawsuit within two years typically (but there could be exceptions). If you’ve lost a family member in a wreck involving a truck, you’ll have two years to initiate a wrongful death case.
You’ll have a chance at a better outcome if you contact a reputable Destin law firm as soon as possible after your accident. Initial investigations can take time. You (and any witnesses) are more likely to have a better memory of the incident soon after the crash.
Contact Our Destin Truck Accident Lawyers For a Free Consultation
Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers has been trusted for more than three decades throughout Northwest Florida. With more than a half-century of combined legal experience, you can hand over your case to us with confidence that we’ll fight tooth and nail for your best possible outcome.
We focus exclusively on personal injury law because we believe in helping victims get the compensation they deserve. We’ve put millions of dollars in the pockets of our clients over the years. Call our Destin truck accident lawyers today to learn more about how we can help you, too. Your initial consultation is free, so don’t wait.
Destin Emergency Rooms
- Destin ER – 200 Tequesta Dr, Destin, FL 32541
- Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital Emerald Coast – 7800 US-98, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
- Ascension Sacred Heart Medical Park and Walk-in Clinic at Destin – 36500 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.
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