Should I Get a Lawyer If I Was Injured in a Delivery Truck Accident?

Each year, light trucks are involved in over three million crashes nationwide. Consequently, an average of 2,000 people are killed and another 100,000 suffer injuries each month in a light truck accident, according to figures compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Victims and surviving family members of a delivery truck accident often struggle with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardship in the weeks, months, and even years after the crash. Having an experienced Orlando delivery truck accident lawyer on your side is the key to navigating the aftermath of a crash and being fairly compensated for your injuries or loss.

It can be difficult to know what to do and who to turn to for help following a delivery truck accident. You may even be unsure whether speaking with an attorney is necessary. At Malik Law, we understand how confusing it can be to find yourself an injured victim. While the decision to work with an attorney is yours to make, hiring an Orlando delivery truck accident lawyer at Malik Law is the best way to protect your rights and increase the likelihood of recovering compensation for your injuries. Contact us today by calling 407-500-1000 to find out how we can help you.

When Is Another Party Liable for My Orlando Delivery Truck Accident Injuries?

Torts is the area of the law that allows you to pursue compensation for injuries to your person or property. When those injuries are the result of a motor vehicle collision, the law requires the injured party to prove that the defendant’s negligence caused or contributed to the accident. Negligence, in turn, is composed of four elements, each of which must be proven, including:

1. A duty of care is owed to the injured party.
2. A breach of the duty of care by the at-fault party.
3. Injuries caused by that breach of duty.
4. Damages (Injuries)

When allegedly negligent conduct is related to a motor vehicle crash, the “duty of care” element has already been established as courts long ago declared that motorists operating a vehicle on a public roadway owe that duty of care to others on the roadway. The breach of that duty is typically the focus of a lawsuit based on a delivery truck accident. An endless variety of acts and omissions can qualify as a breach of the duty of care; however, some common examples include:

• Driving under the influence.
• Speeding.
• Distracted driving.
• Failing to signal or yield the right-of-way.
• Aggressive driving.
• Fatigued driving.
• Failing to properly inspect or maintain the truck.

Does Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Law Apply to a Delivery Truck Accident?

Along with several other states, Florida is what is referred to as a “no-fault” insurance state. Florida’s no-fault insurance law requires motorists to carry a minimum of $10,0000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage. The purpose of PIP insurance is to make it easier to get medical bills and lost wages covered when an accident does not result in serious injuries. Your own PIP insurance will cover 80 percent of your medical bills and 60 percent of lost wages up to the maximum of $10,000 without the need to prove that anyone was at fault in an accident. PIP insurance does not, however, cover 100 percent of your bills or lost wages nor does it provide any compensation for non-economic damages, including pain and suffering.

While the Florida no-fault insurance law covers minor accidents, injuries that meet the “serious injury” threshold qualify to leave the no-fault system and pursue a traditional personal injury lawsuit. To pursue additional compensation through a traditional personal injury lawsuit, you must have suffered one of the following:

• Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function.
• Permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability.
• Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement.
• Death.

Should I Work with an Orlando Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer?

Your number one priority following an Orlando delivery truck accident should be to submit to a thorough medical examination and pursue any suggested follow-up treatment. Once you have addressed your immediate need for medical attention, however, you may begin to contemplate the need for a lawyer. While it is always a good idea to consult with a lawyer after an accident to make sure that you understand your legal position, some circumstances make hiring an Orlando delivery truck accident lawyer even more important, such as:

• You suffered complex and/or severe injuries. If you believe that your injuries exceed the serious injury threshold – or are uncertain if they do – you should consult with an Orlando delivery truck accident lawyer to discuss your legal options.
• There are multiple defendants. When a truck is involved in a collision, there are frequently multiple potential defendants, such as the driver, the owner of the truck, the owner of the cargo, and even the truck manufacturer. This automatically makes the case more complicated. The same applies if multiple vehicles were involved in a collision.
• The facts are complicated. Certain facts can make an otherwise simple personal injury case more complicated, such as a fire that destroyed evidence, the need for an accident reconstruction expert, claims that mechanical failure contributed to the crash or the presence of an obstruction in the roadway.
• Fault is not clear. Any time it appears that there is an uphill battle proving negligence, a personal injury case becomes more challenging to win, highlighting the need to have an experienced attorney on your side.

Where Can I Get Help with My Orlando Delivery Truck Accident Case?

As an injured victim or surviving loved one of an Orlando delivery truck accident, you could be entitled to compensation for your physical injuries, emotional pain, and financial losses. Having an experienced Orlando delivery truck accident lawyer from Malik Law on your side is the key to ensuring that the parties responsible for the collision are held liable and that you are justly compensated. Call us at 407-500-1000 or submit our online form today. An experienced Orlando delivery truck accident lawyer will explain your rights to you and discuss your legal options at no cost.