Were you or a loved one recently hurt in a truck accident in Jacksonville, Florida? If so, you need the experienced Jacksonville truck accident attorneys at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers to help you seek maximum damages from those responsible.
Our top-rated trial attorneys have been recognized for their achievements and commitment to client service by numerous respected professional organizations. They’ll put their more than 100 years of combined experience litigating complex cases to work for you.
You can count on our legal team to provide the personal attention and compassion you and your family deserve. Call us at (904) 396-1100 or contact our Jacksonville, FL law firm online today for a free and confidential consultation.
How Our Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Truck Accident
Trucking accidents can cause costly, painful, and lengthy recovery. You need the time after your accident to rest and recuperate. You shouldn’t have to spend your time fighting with insurance companies that are trying to get you to take a lowball offer. When you hire Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers, you don’t have to.
Our personal injury lawyers in Jacksonville, FL can help by:
- Investigating your accident to pinpoint the cause
- Identifying all potentially liable parties
- Interviewing witnesses
- Obtaining crucial evidence, such as trucking records and any available video footage
- Handling all claims and communications with the insurance company
- Negotiating fiercely for a settlement that covers all your damages
- Fighting for you in court, if the insurance company refuses to give you a fair offer
You can count on having personal access to your attorney throughout your case. We are 100% committed to giving your case the immediate and complete attention it deserves and answering all of the questions you may have to make sure you understand every step of your legal process. Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers it’s a small firm with big results. You need and deserve the best when the stakes are high.
And we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing up front, and you don’t pay at all unless we win. We’re that committed and confident that we can help you.
How Common Are Truck Accidents in Jacksonville, FL?
According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there have been on average 22 trucking accidents a day in Florida for the last four years.
The COVID 19 pandemic has significantly decreased traffic volume, which likely led to fewer crashes in 2020.
The following numbers of large trucks were involved in crashes across the state:
- 2018: 10,619
- 2019: 10,539
- 2020: 9,555
- 2021: 10,689
- 2022: 7,168
The percentage of semi-truck accidents occurring in Duval County is increasing:
- 2018: 534 (5.86% of statewide crashes)
- 2019: 506 (5.55% of statewide crashes)
- 2020: 517 (6.01% of statewide crashes)
- 2021: 624 (5.84% of statewide crashes)
- 2022: 432 (6.03% of statewide crashes)
Duval County now has the fourth-highest number of large truck crashes of all counties in the state.
What is My Truck Accident Case Worth?
No two cases are alike. Generally, cases involving severe injury or death tend to be worth more than those with minor injuries. Whatever the circumstances of your case, we’re committed to doing everything we can to maximize the compensation to you and your family.
Some common factors affect the value of a tractor-trailer injury case, such as:
- How critical are your injuries?
- What’s the value of your lost wages?
- Are you expected to make a full recovery?
- Are you temporarily or permanently disabled?
- Were you in any way at fault for the accident?
- To what extent does your family depend on your income?
There could be many other considerations. To get a more clear picture of what your case could be worth, set up an appointment for a no-charge case evaluation with our attorney. There’s no obligation and no risk to you.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Truck Accident Victims?
If someone else caused you to get hurt, you deserve to hold them financially responsible for all of your losses related to the accident. That includes economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages compensate you for tangible monetary losses, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages include compensation for things like:
- Physical pain
- Emotional trauma
- Depression
- Disability
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Loss of consortium
- And more
These are the things that define how your life has been affected by the accident and your injuries.
In rare cases, punitive damages could be available, which aren’t meant to compensate the injured victim, but to punish the defendant for extremely reckless behavior. The goal of punitive damages is to send a message that will hopefully deter others from similar dangerous behavior in the future.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed For a Truck Accident in Florida?
Most likely, yes.
No-Fault Insurance Coverage
Florida is one of a handful of states that follows “no-fault” rules for automobile accidents. Drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which covers a portion of medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of fault. So even if you are partially at fault, you’ll be entitled to receive compensation from your own insurance policy.
If PIP benefits are denied or exhausted, you can take steps to appeal. If you are not 100% responsible for the accident, you can likely file a lawsuit against the other at-fault parties.
Shared Fault in Florida
In personal injury lawsuits, the state’s law follows a pure comparative fault rule. This means that if you’re partially at fault, your award will be reduced by the portion of the accident caused by your own negligence.
An insurance company’s first move is to blame the victim. They think that will either get them out of paying completely or at least reduce the amount they have to pay you.
Having an aggressive truck accident attorney fight back for you when you’re being unfairly blamed can make all the difference in the amount of compensation you receive.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation For All Of Your Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accidents often cause catastrophic injuries. The weight and size of the vehicles involved almost guarantee more severe bodily injury and property damage than you’d suffer in a typical auto accident.
Common injuries suffered in truck accidents are:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Wrongful death of a loved one
- And more
It’s important to seek medical attention right away after your accident. Many serious injuries, such as brain injuries and damage to internal organs, may not be apparent to you.
What Causes Most Truck Accidents in Florida?
Many motor vehicle accidents, including those involving large commercial vehicles, are preventable. Most are caused by the carelessness of someone on the road. Sometimes, collisions happen because trucking companies or drivers cut corners on critical maintenance or safety issues in order to meet deadlines.
Common causes of large truck accidents in Jacksonville include:
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Mechanical failure
- Negligence maintenance
- Distracted driving
- Inadequately loaded cargo
- Improperly trained drivers
- Roadway obstruction
- Poorly designed or maintained roads
- Fatigued drivers
- Illegal maneuvers
- Car accidents or accidents with other vehicles
- Unsafe lane changes
We have extensive knowledge of the trucking and transportation industry. We know exactly how to conduct a thorough investigation to find out the cause of your accident. There are often multiple parties that can be held liable. It’s important to identify all potential causes in order to develop a strong case to support your claim.
How Do I Win My Truck Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
Most – but not all – truck accidents happen because someone is negligent. You must prove each element of negligence by a preponderance of the evidence to win your case.
That indicates you have to prove the evidence weighs in your favor that:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- The defendant breached that duty
- The defendant’s conduct caused your injuries
- You suffered damages as a result
Evidence used to prove negligence varies in each case.
Any of the following could be used to help support your case:
- Your personal testimony
- Eyewitness testimony
- Police reports
- Truck maintenance reports
- Commercial vehicle driver log book
- Driver training records
- Medical records
- Employment and payroll records
- Testimony from medical, economic, and scientific experts
- Toxicology reports
- And more
The Jacksonville personal injury attorneys at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers have years of experience litigating complex negligence cases. We know the tactics that big insurance companies use to try to get out of paying what they owe you. And we know how to fight against them.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident in Florida?
A lawsuit for injuries must be filed within four years. To recover compensation after losing a loved one in a fatal accident, then you will need to file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years.
If you’re dealing with PIP accident claims, then you’ll have additional deadlines to meet to obtain those benefits.
Time passes very quickly after an accident. It’s in your best interest to seek legal advice as soon as possible after your commercial vehicle accident. That way, you’ll be sure to have the full array of legal options available to you during the process. And, you will have the best chance of gathering all of the necessary evidence to prove your claims for compensation.
Contact Our Jacksonville Truck Accident Lawyers For a Free Consultation
If you’ve suffered injuries in a crash with a big rig, let our truck accident lawyers get started fighting for the compensation you need.
Our dedication to our clients and our knowledge of how to litigate tough cases is a winning combination that pays off time and again for injured victims just like you. We’ve obtained tens of millions of life-changing settlements and verdicts for clients over the years.
If you have any questions or want to learn more, call the Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers office to discuss your case, or complete our review form to assist you.
What Our Clients Are Saying About Us
Local Physical Therapists
- Take Control Physical Therapy Centers – 9471 Baymeadows Rd Ste 205, Jacksonville, FL 32256
- Rebound Rehabilitation – Southside – 8081 Philips Hwy Suite 5, Jacksonville, FL 32256
- Australian Physiotherapy Specialists – 4745 Sutton Park Ct Ste 803, Jacksonville, FL 32224
- MOTION RX Performance Physical Therapy – Jacksonville – 7901 Baymeadows Way Suite 17, Jacksonville, FL 32256
- Select Physical Therapy – 8101 Southside Blvd #9, Jacksonville, FL 32256
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.