What Should I do After a T-Bone Accident with a Large Truck?

T-bone accidents are the most dangerous type of accident to be involved in with a semi-truck. Many people die each year in Florida because of them. In 2017, large trucks were involved in about 8.8% of all fatal vehicle crashes, according to the NHTSA. Unfortunately, many other people end up with long-term or permanent injuries as a result. 

In some cases, the injuries caused by a truck accident can be debilitating or life-changing. If you have been injured due to a truck accident in Florida, you may be eligible for compensation. Your best legal defense is to hire an experienced truck accident attorney to represent you in your Florida lawsuit.

What do I do After a T-Bone Accident with a Semi-Truck?

After you are involved in an accident with a big rig, the first thing to do is to check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Next, call 911 and request police and medical assistance. If you’re able to do so without putting yourself in further danger, start documenting the scene of the accident with your phone. Take videos, photos, and gather information from any witnesses who may be around.  

Most importantly, immediately seek medical attention. Even if you feel like you are not injured, it is still recommended that you seek medical attention. The shock and emotional trauma that often results after an accident may make you numb to injuries such as whiplash. Some symptoms may not appear for days or weeks afterward. It is vital to document medical services from the start in case you need the documentation later. 

Who is Responsible for Medical Bills After a Large Truck Accident?

Florida is home to many large trucking companies. Many of these companies own fleets of large trucks, and although they may make every attempt to ensure that their drivers abide by all state laws, there are times when they fail to do so. Depending on the details of your case, you may be able to seek recovery of damages from:

• The big rig driver
• The company that employs the driver
• If a defective part caused the accident on the truck, the manufacturer or installer of the defective part

To determine who is responsible for your medical bills, you will need to consult with a qualified truck accident attorney. It can be a difficult job to go up against a large trucking company. Having an expert attorney by your side will help you get the compensation you deserve. 

What are the Most Common Causes of Big Rig T-Bone Accidents?

In many semi-truck t-bone accidents, the cause of the accident is determined to be one or more of the following:

• The truck driver doesn’t apply the proper braking.
• The truck turns in the wrong direction.
• The truck driver was distracted.
• The driver of the smaller vehicle was in the truck’s blind spot.

Another important consideration that can determine whether or not a driver is held responsible for an accident is whether they were driving within their speed limit. Driving too fast along a road can often result in traffic accidents and even fatalities due to a distracted truck driver’s actions. If a driver speeds up, slows down, or even fails to signal, there may be legal ramifications that can occur.

How Can I Prove the Truck Driver was Negligent?

To prove negligence, your attorney will need to establish the following four elements are present in your case:

• There was a duty of care for the truck driver to follow all laws and regulations.
• The duty of care was violated when the truck driver didn’t follow the law.
• Your injuries are the direct result of the truck driver’s failure to follow the law.
• You suffered real and substantial injuries and damages from the truck driver’s breach of duty of care. 

The first element is a given for anyone driving on the roads of the United States. Everyone has a duty of care to follow all laws and regulations. However, the next three may be more challenging to prove, depending on the case’s details. And, that is why you need a truck accident attorney to help you build a case to prove negligence by the other driver.

How will the Amount of Compensation I Deserve be Determined? 

First, your attorney will examine the facts of your claim. They will review the police report and any pictures or video taken at the scene. Photos and videos will help your attorney determine how the accident happened, which vehicle was involved, and medical documentation of the sustained injuries. They will also want to review testimony from witnesses who saw the accident or were involved in it. Once your attorney has reviewed all of the evidence, they will better understand how to prove a driver was negligent.

How do I Find a Truck Accident Attorney in Tampa?

The expert truck accident attorney team at Darrigo & Diaz has over 100 years of combined experience fighting against trucking and insurance companies to secure their clients’ compensation. You will also get to work with a Board Certified Civil Trial Law Specialist who is also a member of the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America. Less than 5% of Florida lawyers are Board Certified. There are no fees or costs unless we win. Give us a call at (813) 774-3341 or contact us online for a free case evaluation right over the phone.