In West Palm Beach, the presence of an airport and major highways adds commercial truck traffic to roadways already crowded with passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and buses. With congested roadways comes an increased risk of auto accidents. If you’ve been in a truck accident in West Palm Beach, it’s important to consult with an experienced truck accident lawyer immediately. After all, you may be entitled to compensation resulting from your injuries and other damages incurred.
Truck accidents present unique legal complexities and pose severe damages for those involved — especially when compared to car accidents — making timely legal consultation imperative. When you call West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer at Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we put our knowledge to work for you, securing the maximum compensation and justice you deserve during your time of healing.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
While human error is a factor in almost any type of accident, certain aspects of the trucking industry contribute to increased injury risk, making truck accidents especially dangerous.
Common causes of truck crashes in West Palm Beach include:
Driver Fatigue
The pressure on truck drivers to meet deadlines often leads to extended driving hours, compromising safety despite federal regulations mandating rest breaks.
Distracted Driving
Long hours on the road can lead to attention-diverting activities such as texting, watching media, or daydreaming.
Impaired Driving
The use of substances to combat fatigue, including prescription, over-the-counter, or illicit drugs, can impair decision-making and response times.
Equipment Malfunctions
Inadequate vehicle inspections or failure to address mechanical issues can lead to accidents. In cases of defective equipment—components like tires, brakes, and lights—manufacturers may be held liable for the accident.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Especially given the size and weight of commercial trucks, speeding makes it harder to stop suddenly and increases the risk of accidents.
Common Types of Accidents Involving Trucks
Steinger, Greene & Feiner has decades of experience counseling truck accident victims, so we’ve seen almost every type of accident imaginable, including.
Rear-End Collisions
Often caused by factors such as distracted driving, fatigue, or brake system issues, rear-end collisions are typically intensified by the size and weight of commercial trucks.
Jackknife Accidents
Because they resemble a folding knife, jackknife accidents occur when a trailer folds towards the truck cab, typically due to loss of traction. These can be triggered by adverse weather, improper braking, or sudden maneuvers, posing significant risks on busy highways.
Rollover Incidents
When a truck rolls over, it’s usually due to factors like excessive speed, overloading, or abrupt steering maneuvers. These types of accidents can be potentially catastrophic.
Underride Collisions
Underride collisions occur when smaller vehicles become wedged beneath a truck’s rear or side. Often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities, these accidents can be exacerbated by inadequate truck safety features.
Blind Spot Accidents
Because of their size, trucks have substantial blind spots in which smaller vehicles may not be visible. Blind spot accidents frequently occur during lane changes or turns, particularly when vehicles linger in these areas.
Cargo Spills
A heavy payload that hasn’t been properly secured to its trailer can spill out on the road, having catastrophic consequences for traffic following behind a commercial truck accident.
Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
According to a recent study conducted by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Palm Beach County’s roadways sustain approximately 24,000 automobile accidents a year. Of those accidents, roughly 15,000 result in injuries.
Because trucks outweigh — and are significantly larger than — passenger vehicles, truck accident injuries are typically much more severe than car accident injuries.
Some of the most common injuries caused by truck accidents include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Internal Injuries
- Amputations
Determining Liability in Truck Accidents
Due to the potential for involvement of multiple parties, establishing liability in accident cases is a particularly nuanced process. And even if the injured party is partially at fault, they may still be eligible for a case in West Palm Beach.
Key parties that may be liable in a truck accident include:
- Truck Driver: Responsible for negligence, errors, or regulatory violations.
- Trucking Company: Liable for inadequate driver screening, training, or vehicle maintenance.
- Shipping Company: May be at fault for improper cargo loading or imposing unreasonable deadlines.
- Broker: Can be held responsible for non-compliance with federal regulations or providing false information.
- Truck Manufacturer: Liable for faulty parts or failure to address known issues.
- Third-Party Drivers: May share responsibility if involved in the accident.
Other potentially liable parties include:
- Truck Owner (responsible for maintenance)
- Highway Designers
Legal considerations in truck accident claims include:
- Negligence
Proving negligence — or, a failure to act with a reasonable duty of care resulting in harm — is the key to achieving favorable outcomes in claims. If a lawyer can prove negligence, it will significantly increase the outcomes of your personal injury claim and the compensation amount you receive.
- Vicarious Liability
Vicarious liability refers to holding someone responsible for the fault of a third party. For example, if you caused a truck wreck, your employer may bear some of the liability on your behalf.
- Federal and State Regulations
Your West Palm Beach personal injury is responsible for interpreting federal and state regulations applicable to your case. They will use their experience and best judgment to leverage these regulations in your favor.
Given the complexity of truck accident cases and the potential for multiple liability, consult with an experienced truck crash lawyer in West Palm Beach like Steinger, Greene & Feiner as soon as possible to protect your rights and pursue fair compensation.
The Importance of Prompt Legal Action
The statute of limitations for trucking collisions in Florida is now two years. This means you have two years from the date of the accident (or the date you discovered your injuries) to file a truck accident lawsuit against the defendant. The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims remains two years from the date of death. If you file a lawsuit after the statute of limitations has expired, you forfeit the opportunity to collect any compensation you might have otherwise received. Therefore, it’s crucial to act quickly to preserve your rights and maximize compensation.
Prompt legal action is also essential for preserving evidence and building a strong case. Experienced truck accident attorneys will help you gather this evidence while it’s still fresh—such as medical treatment documentation, logbooks, traffic images and video, black box data, and eyewitness accounts. This collective evidence will serve as the foundation of your case.
Compensation for Truck Accident Victims
Compensation for truck crash victims generally covers two types of damages: economic and non-economic.
- Economic damages compensate you for the financial losses incurred, things as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and any other out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident.
- Non-economic damages, on the other hand, help you recover compensation for intangible losses related to pain and suffering, mental anguish, and permanent disabilities or impairments caused by the accident involving a truck.
In the worst cases, you or someone you love may have been involved in a fatal accident. Consult with a compassionate personal injury lawyer to pursue to pursue a wrongful death claim and receive compensation for your ultimate loss. In certain cases, truck accident victims can also claim punitive damages. Punitive damages don’t seek compensation for losses but instead are awarded to discourage future wrongdoing by the defendant. In order to qualify for punitive damages, your lawyer must provide convincing evidence of the defendant’s gross, wilful misconduct. The maximum amount of punitive damages permitted by Florida law is $500,000 or 3x your compensatory damages—whichever amount is greater.
Because of Florida’s comparative negligence laws, compensation may be prorated based on the percentage of fault assigned to each party. For instance, if the injured party is found 20% responsible, their compensation would be reduced accordingly.
The West Palm Beach truck accident injury lawyer at Steinger, Greene & Feiner understand personal injury law so we know first-hand the tactics that insurance companies use to minimize payouts and maximize their profits. If necessary, we will go a step further and represent your case in court, working tirelessly to ensure you receive fair compensation for economic and non-economic damages.
Steps in a Truck Accident Lawsuit
The truck wreck attorneys at Steinger, Greene & Feiner take a holistic approach when counseling on trucking accident law in West Palm Beach.
- The accident claim process starts with a free consultation in which we take time to learn about you and the circumstances of your case.
- Next, we conduct a thorough investigation, gathering key evidence like police and medical reports, photos/videos, eyewitness statements, expert testimony, and interviews with your family.
- This supporting evidence will later be used as leverage during negotiations with your insurance company.
- Depending on the outcome of those negotiations, as well as other circumstances of your case, we will advise if you should file a lawsuit to prove your offender’s negligence in court where we will represent on your behalf.
Holding negligent parties accountable in court not only upholds justice but also prevents similar accidents from occuring in the future. We have your back at every step of our legal process, from trial preparation to representation in court. Never provide your insurance company with a recorded statement or accept their settlement offer before consulting with an personal injury attorney. Insurers’ first offers are notoriously low, and accepting them forfeits your opportunity for fair compensation.
Why Choose Our Law Firm
At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our services are available to you with no upfront costs. We only get paid if we win your truck accident case, making quality legal representation accessible regardless of your financial situation. Our client-centered approach, proven track record, and team-based strategy have helped us recover over $2 billion for our clients over the years.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in West Palm Beach, you don’t have to face the legal system — or your recovery process — alone. Contact Steinger, Greene & Feiner today for a free consultation and take the first step towards securing the justice and compensation you deserve.
Client Testimonials
1645 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard #900, West Palm Beach
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The only firm that was willing to take on my case. They were my last hope after talking to 5 other firms. my friend recommended them and I’m glad he did. legal assistant, paralegal and lawyer are very professional and communicative. -
I wanna thank ms allison davis, and her teams from steinger, greene& feiner injurylawyers. For representing with my case I’m very happy with the results if you ever need someone to represent you don’t hesitate contacted her.
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Steinger, Greene & Feiner got me $400k for my Uber accident then got $25k for me after I was bit by a dog while delivering food for DoorDash! I am so happy with these outcomes. They really fought to get me the most money. Thanks Steinger, … More Greene & Feiner! BTW if you want to put me in your ads, I would be happy to do it!
Speak with a West Palm Beach Truck Accident Attorney Today
At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, our team of experienced semi-truck and commercial truck accident attorneys are skilled in handling these and other cases. We’ll help you get started on the road to recovery by taking the stress and uncertainty out of your healing process.
We relieve you of the burden that comes with navigating complex legal processes and insurance negotiations. While insurance companies add insult to your injuries with questionable strategies aimed at minimizing payouts, we’re your advocate for maximum compensation.
With decades of experience on our side, we’re by your side. Contact Steinger, Greene & Feiner for a free consultation before it’s too late.