Handling Medical Expenses After a Truck Accident in Florida

Being involved in a truck accident can have devastating results. Due to their size, damages caused in these types of collisions are often more serious than those in an accident involving two passenger cars. Commercial trucks, semi-trucks, and all large trucks have the potential to annihilate a passenger car, especially if it is a smaller model.

Florida is a no-fault insurance state, which means your insurance company is the primary source for initial payment of medical expenses. There are also some differences in the process where truck accidents are concerned.

Vicarious Liability

In most situations, a motorist will own his or her vehicle. Trucks, on the other hand, can be owned by the driver or another party, usually a company. Owners of the truck may be liable for injuries caused by the drivers under the legal theory of vicarious liability. Even though the driver caused the accident, the owner of the truck may have some responsibility as well.

Truck accidents can become complicated when a larger corporation is the employer of the truck driver involved in the accident. It is necessary to determine whether the fault for the accident is solely the driver, the employers, or both.

When a driver owns the truck but has been hired by another entity, there may be liability disputes between the two; however, the claim will probably be handled by the truck driver’s insurance company.

Recovering Damages from a Truck Accident in Florida

Collisions with trucks are inherently more serious than those with another passenger car. Serious injuries and fatalities are often the result. Consequently, insurance claims are usually higher. In addition to whiplash and broken bones, people involved in truck accidents may also suffer from spinal cord injuries, brain trauma, and joint injuries.

Compensation for medical expenses can include immediate medical care and future medical care, in-patient rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and modifications that may need to be made at home to accommodate the injured person. Widening doors to accommodate a wheelchair, and installing lifts or a ramp are examples of home modifications.

There are also the expenses of assistive devices: canes, walkers, and wheelchairs. Lost income is not limited to current wages, but also includes future wages that will be lost due to injuries. Compensation also is due for the pain, suffering, and mental anguish of the injured.

Hiring a Qualified Attorney

Because truck accident cases can be complex, it is important to hire a qualified attorney with the expertise to ensure you are reasonably compensated for all the losses incurred as a result. In the case of a death, it is important that funeral expenses and other wrongful death benefits be included. An experienced lawyer knows how to gather all the evidence needed to build a strong personal injury case.

The Tison Law Group, located in Tampa, Florida, has expertise in this area. We fight for our clients to see that they are fully compensated for losses. In addition to personal injury law, we also handle other types of legal cases. We are here to help you in your time of need. Call to schedule an appointment or contact us through email.