Hurt in a Tractor Trailer in Altamonte Springs? Contact Our Truck Accident Attorneys Today for a Free Case Review
At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, LLP, our Altamonte Springs commercial truck accident lawyers fight tirelessly to protect the rights and interests of victims and families. We are on your side every step of the way after a serious crash. Truck companies and their insurance carriers must be held accountable. We can help. Contact us today for a free, no strings attached initial consultation with an experienced Altamonte Springs, FL semi-truck accident lawyer.
What to Do After a Semi-Truck Accident in Altamonte Springs, Florida
Were you involved in any type of crash with a commercial truck in Altamonte Springs or elsewhere in Seminole County? Our firm handles all types of truck accident cases. At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, LLP, we want to make sure that you know what to do in the aftermath of a tractor trailer crash. Here are seven of the most important steps to take:
- Stop Your Car: Under Florida law, all motorists involved in a truck accident are required to stop and stay at the scene unless there is a medical emergency. Leaving the scene early could be a serious violation, potentially even a crime for a hit and run.
- Report the Truck Crash: All trucking accidents should be reported to law enforcement. Be sure to report your crash to the Altamonte Springs Police Department, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, or the Florida Highway Patrol.
- Get Information From the Trucker: While you are at the scene of the crash in Altamonte Springs, get as much information as possible from the trucker. Get their name, license number, employer, and insurance policy details.
- Seek Prompt Medical Attention: All truck accident injuries should be evaluated by a doctor. Even a seemingly modest physical injury may be far worse than you think. Protect your health and well-being: Get immediate medical care.
- Document the Crash: The more documentation you have about a truck accident in Altamonte Springs, the easier the claims process will be. Take pictures, get witness contact info, write down what happened, and secure a copy of the police report.
- Notify Your Insurance Carrier: Florida is a no-fault insurance state. You should always notify your own insurance company that you were involved in a crash—even if you played no role in causing the collision.
- Speak With an Attorney: Before you provide any recorded statement to an insurance company, you should schedule a free consultation with an experienced Altamonte Springs car crash lawyer. Your attorney can help you navigate the claims process.
Florida’s No-Fault Liability Standard Applies to Large Truck Accidents
Even though commercial trucks in Florida are generally subject to federal safety regulations, your personal injury claim for a crash in Altamonte Springs still falls under state law. explain that our state operates under a no-fault insurance standard for all types of automobile accidents, including for those involving commercial trucks. Your initial claim is through your own PIP coverage—no matter who caused the collision. Here is the key points to understand about how no-fault laws in Florida apply to truck accidents:
- PIP Coverage Essentials: All drivers in Florida must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. It covers up to $10,000 in medical expenses and lost wages—regardless of who caused the accident. Even if you are at fault for the entire crash, you can claim PIP benefits.
- A 14 Day Rule Applies: To qualify for PIP benefits, you must receive medical attention within 14 days from the date of the truck accident. If you wait too long to get medical care, your PIP insurer could deny your claim because of the delay.
What to Know About Fault-Based Semi-Truck Accident Claims With an Altamonte Springs Truck Accident Lawyer and Orlando Truck Accident Lawyer
Due to their extreme size, truck accidents are far more likely to result in severe injuries or even deaths. In Florida, injured victims can step beyond the state’s no-fault insurance system after a serious crash from distracted driving. Here are the key points to know about fault-based truck accident cases:
- Florida has a Serious Injury Threshold for Fault-Based Claims: to the size and weight of trucks, injuries in these accidents are often serious enough to surpass the PIP coverage. An injury serious enough to meet Florida’s threshold can allow for a fault-based claim.
- Multiple Parties May Bear Liable for a Trucking Accident: Truck accidents can involve claims against multiple parties such as the truck driver, trucking company, or even manufacturers, if vehicle defects contributed to the accident.
- Comprehensive Compensation Can Be Recovered: Fault-based claims enable you to seek compensation beyond PIP limitations, covering full medical costs, all lost wages, pain and suffering, and other types of damages.
To bring a successful fault-based truck accident claim in Seminole County, you need strong, compelling evidence that proves the trucker/truck company’s liability with an experienced truck accident attorney. Your crash should be proactively investigated by an experienced Altamonte Springs truck accident lawyer. truck accident claim in Seminole County, you need strong, compelling evidence that proves the trucker/truck company’s liability. Your crash should be proactively investigated by an experienced Altamonte Springs truck accident lawyer.
Key Points to Know About Modified Comparative Negligence
Under Florida law (Florida Statutes § 768.81), a modified comparative negligence standard applies to all types of motor vehicle crashes, including fault-based truck accidents. If you are partially at fault for your own truck accident, you can still seek financial compensation from the truck company—but your recovery will be reduced in direct proportion to your degree of blame.
Here is a simple example: Imagine you were involved in a very serious tractor trailer crash in Altamonte Springs. You suffered $200,000 in damages. However, you were found to be 25 percent at fault due to an unsafe lane change. Under Florida law, you would be liable for 25 percent of your own damages ($50,000).
Florida has a strict bar on recovery for an injured victim who bears a majority of fault for their own crash. If you are 51 percent or more at fault for any type of truck accident in Altamonte Springs, you cannot bring a fault-based personal injury claim. Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule prohibits any recovery. Still, you could bring a claim through your own PIP carrier.
Know the Deadline: Two Year Statute of Limitations
Under Florida law (Florida Statutes § 95.11), there is a two-year statute of limitations for fault-based truck crash injury claims. The law allows injured parties up to two years from the date of the accident to initiate a lawsuit with an experienced truck accident lawyer. Missing this deadline can result in the dismissal of the case on technical grounds. You do not want to lose out on your chance to get justice: Consult with an experienced Altamonte Springs truck accident lawyer right away after a serious collision.
PIP Deadline: It is important for truck accident victims in Florida to remember that there is a 14-day rule for PIP claims. You need to see a doctor within two weeks (14 days) of the date of your crash. If you do not do so, you can be denied any PIP benefits.
Recovering the Maximum Financial Support for Truck Accident Victims in Altamonte Springs
In Florida, truck accident victims have the right to seek compensation for the full extent of their damages, including intangible losses. Truck companies and insurance companies are not going to look out for your rights or your interests after a crash. They want to pay out as little as possible to settle claims—potentially even denying compensation altogether for traumatic brain injuries and other serious injuries. Our Altamonte Springs, FL eighteen wheeler accident lawyers fight for the maximum financial compensation for victims:
- Property loss, including automobile repairs or replacement;
- Ambulance costs and emergency room treatment;
- Hospital bills and other medical expenses;
- Physical therapy and rehabilitative support services;
- Lost wages and loss of future earning power;
- Pain and suffering & mental distress;
- Physical disability or psychological impairment; and
- Wrongful death of a close loved one.
How Our Altamonte Springs Tractor Trailer Crash Lawyer Can Help
Were you hurt in a semi-truck accident in Altamonte Springs? The legal team at Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, LLP is here to help you navigate the complexities of the personal injury claims process. We are proactive and results-focused for your truck accident case against truck drivers. Injured victims in Altamonte Springs trust our Florida semi-truck accident lawyers because:
- We Have the Truck Accident Expertise You Can Trust: Commercial trucking is a highly regulated, complex industry. There are many unique issues that can arise in truck accident injury cases. Our Altamonte Springs eighteen wheeler crash lawyers have the knowledge, skills, and expertise that you can rely on.
- We Put the Best Interests of Clients First: We tailor our legal strategies to each client’s individual needs. Our Altamonte Springs, FL semi-truck accident lawyers will always put your interests at the forefront. We invest time and attention to detail into every case we take on. To learn more, you can hear it directly from our former clients.
- We Know How to Get Results: Case results matter. With $1 billion in compensation recovered in settlements and judgments for injured victims in Florida, we know how to get successful results. The strategic approach of our Altamonte Springs truck accident lawyer and Orlando truck accident attorneys are rigorously developed to maximize your financial compensation for Florida truck accidents against the negligent truck driver.
Altamonte Springs Truck Accident Claims: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I Hire a Truck Accident Attorney in Altamonte Springs?
Yes. After a bad collision, you need strong and experienced legal representation. Do not rely on your own insurer, the truck company, or the truck company’s insurer to look out for your best interests. Hiring a truck accident attorney in Altamonte Springs is essential if you have been involved in a collision. A great lawyer will aggressively advocate on your behalf.
Are Truck Accident Claims No-Fault Claims in Florida?
Yes—or at least they are for minor and moderate collisions. In Florida, truck accident claims operate under a no-fault system to a certain extent. Your own insurance may cover medical expenses and lost wages—regardless of who caused the accident. Indeed, your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is generally the first place to look for financial compensation. With that being said, if your injuries are severe, you can step outside the no-fault system to pursue a claim against the at-fault truck driver, at-fault trucking company, or another at-fault party.
How Do Federal Regulations Impact Truck Accident Injury Cases?
Federal regulations heavily impact truck accident injury cases as they set strict standards for trucking companies and drivers, including hours of service (HOS), maintenance, and safety requirements. Violations of these federal regulations can be used to establish negligence in your case. You need an Altamonte Springs truck accident lawyer who understands federal law.
Should I Provide a Statement to the Truck Company’s Insurer?
Not without sitting down with an experienced Altamonte Springs truck accident lawyer. It is not a best practice to provide any statements to the truck company’s insurer without professional legal representation. These insurers are skilled at manipulating statements to minimize their liability and reduce the compensation they owe. Your truck accident lawyer will protect your rights.
How Do I Calculate the Value of My Legal Case?
Calculating the value of your legal case involves a detailed assessment of all damages—economic, such as medical bills and lost earnings, and non-economic, like pain and suffering. The best way to determine the value of a truck accident claim in Florida is to consult with an attorney.
You Can Always Afford to Get a Top-Tier Altamonte Springs Truck Crash Attorney
Dealing with the aftermath of a semi-truck accident in Altamonte Springs? Let us handle the financial worry. At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, LLP, we represent accident victims with a commitment to affordability. Our cases are handled on contingency. We never charge upfront fees nor do we charge any out-of-pocket expenses. Our payment depends solely on your compensation. We offer free, no obligation consultations to truck accident victims in Seminole County.
Contact Our Altamonte Springs Semi-Truck Accident Attorney Today
At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, LLP, our Altamonte Springs, FL big rig attorney lawyers fight hard for justice. If you or your family member was hurt in a bad crash, we are here to help. Call us now or connect with us online for your free, no strings attached consultation. Our firm handles semi-truck accident cases in Altamonte Springs, Seminole County, and throughout Central Florida.