Truck Accident Lawyer In The Villages

Trust The Villages Truck Accident Lawyers at Babiarz Law Firm

If you or a family member who lives in or around The Villages has been seriously injured in a commercial truck accident, we can help. To schedule a free phone or in-person consultation with The Villages truck accident lawyer Tim Babiarz, call (352) 205-7599 today.

When you are trying to recover from an accident involving a commercial truck -- whether you were personally injured or the accident involved a member of your family -- standing up for your legal rights is an important part of the process. If the truck driver, the trucking company, or anyone else was at fault in the accident; Florida law entitles you to collect financial compensation for your accident-related losses. From future medical expenses to ongoing pain and suffering, most accident victims’ losses are far greater than they realize, and those who fail to assert their rights will bear the burdens of someone else’s mistake for years to come.

Located in The Villages®, the Babiarz Law Firm, PA provides experienced legal representation for truck accident victims throughout Central Florida. Whether you or your loved one was injured on I-75, Florida’s Turnpike, Highway 441, Highway 27, Highway 301, or the busy streets of Sumter, Lake or Marion County, you owe it to yourself to find out if you have a claim for compensation. Our team is passionate about fighting for accident victims and their families. If you have a claim, you can trust a truck accident attorney at our firm to fight for full and fair compensation.

Grounds to Seek Compensation After a Tractor Trailer Accident

From truck defects to truck driver negligence, there are countless issues that can lead to serious and fatal truck wrecks. When we investigate your case, we will examine possible causes such as:

• Drunk driving
• Distracted driving
• Lack of driver training or experience
• Speeding, following too closely; and other driving errors
• Cargo loading errors
• Truck defects and maintenance issues
• Too many hours behind the wheel
• Other violations of state and federal motor carrier standards

Right now, it is not important that you know what happened. All you need to know is that you are entitled to a free consultation about your legal rights. To speak with The Villages truck accident lawyer Tim Babiarz in confidence, please contact us today.

What Trucks are Commonly in Accidents? 

Flatbed Trucks

Flatbed trucks are common on roads, streets and highways across Florida. 

The vehicles feature a flat body with no sides or roof around the truck bed. The design makes flatbed trucks ideal for transporting loads that would be too wide for other types of trucks.

Flatbed trucks are also commonly used to transport a wide variety of equipment and other items, such as over-sized and odd-shaped objects, that do not need to be covered to protect them from weather damage and spoilage. 

The truck's design makes it a hazard for everyone on the road. For example, cargo that is not secured correctly can slide around and even fall off of a flatbed truck, causing immediate danger. That, in turn, leads to accidents that often involve multiple vehicles in a chain reaction.

Dump Trucks

Dump trucks are regularly used to transport natural materials such as rocks, stone and sand, as well as various types of waste. They frequently resemble tractor-trailers, except they have an open back end. The trucks feature hydraulics that lifts the truck bed in the front to dump material to the ground from the backside of the vehicle.

The size and unique design of most dump trucks alone pose a potential risk for vehicles in traffic -- not to mention the material they haul can create a serious hazard if it is spilled on roadways.

Garbage Trucks

Garbage trucks frequently share the road with other vehicles, as well as bicycle riders and pedestrians. They provide a vital service to our communities, but the trucks also come with certain safety risks.

Garbage and recycling trucks stop and start frequently. They also often operate during early morning hours when it is dark outside and visibility is low. 

Some garbage truck operators often stop their trucks in the middle of the street instead of on one side while collecting waste. That increases the risk of a crash.

Tanker Trucks

Tanker trucks are well known for their unique look. These trucks carry long cylinders that typically contain oil, fuel or other liquids and gases.

Tanker trucks pose a danger because of their size, design and the types of material they carry. When chemicals and gases spill out on the road, it is a recipe for disaster. Spills often bring traffic to a grinding halt, which can result in crashes.

Additional Truck Accident Cases We Handle

There are many different types of truck accidents that can occur and for various reasons. Some are due to driver negligence while others are caused by vehicle malfunctions or the truck company’s failure to adhere to safety laws. The Villages truck accident lawyer Tim Babiarz has experience representing cases involving an array of commercial vehicle collisions, including:   

Rollover Truck Accidents

Rollover accidents can result from several different issues, most of which involve some form of truck driver error. When a truck driver’s mistake leads to a serious or fatal accident, the driver (and often the trucking company), will typically be legally responsible for the victims’ losses.

Jackknife Accidents

Jackknife accidents can often be a product of driver error as well. They result from sudden braking and overcorrected steering -- common issues when a truck driver is not paying attention to traffic or fails to account for slick road conditions from a sudden rainstorm.

Reckless/Unsafe Drivers

Along with rollover and jackknife accidents, many commercial truck accidents result from reckless and unsafe driving behaviors. Rear-end collisions, multi-vehicle pileups, wide-turn accidents, U-turn accidents; and others all frequently involve some element of negligent truck driving.

Unsafe/Defective Equipment

From tire retreads to straps for securing cargo, virtually every component and piece of equipment on a commercial truck has the potential to fail. If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident that was not a result of driver error, there is a good chance that an unsafe or defective truck part was to blame.

The Villages Truck Accident Lawyer from Our Firm Will Hold All Responsible Parties Liable

Identifying the people and entities responsible for a truck accident is essential to getting compensation for your injuries. Although liability varies based on the circumstances, multiple parties may be on the hook in many cases.

Truck Drivers

Truck drivers are often to blame when accidents happen. 

Like other drivers in Florida, truckers are legally required to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner. That means complying with traffic laws, staying alert, and taking basic steps to ensure that their vehicles are in good working order. Truck drivers are also expected to refrain from dangerous behavior while behind the wheel, like texting and driving or operating a truck while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol.

A trucker who does not live up to these responsibilities is likely to be found negligent and liable for any crashes that result.

Trucking Companies

The trucking company for whom the trucker is driving may also be responsible for the accident. If the trucker is considered a company employee, the company is liable for crashes caused by the driver in the course of his or her job.

Trucking companies routinely try to avoid liability for collisions by classifying drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. However, just because a company calls a driver a contractor does not mean it is off the hook. There are a number of factors that courts consider in determining whether a trucker is actually a contractor or an employee.

There may also be other ways to hold a trucking company liable. For example, a company that owns the truck that was involved in the crash may be responsible if it fails to meet minimum requirements for ensuring that the vehicle is in good working order. Or it could be liable for entrusting the truck to a driver who does not have the appropriate training or has a track record of reckless behavior.

Insurers

A complicated web of insurance companies may also be on the hook when truck accidents happen.

There is the truck driver’s insurer, the insurer for the company that employs the driver and the insurer for the company that owns the truck. You should also be aware that in some situations, a trucking company may self-insure.

Identifying the full range of insurers that are potentially liable for a crash is crucial. A Villages truck accident lawyer at our firm can help by thoroughly investigating the crash and working aggressively to ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable.

Investigating a Truck Accident

After a truck accident, local police typically handle the initial investigation. However, state and federal authorities may also be involved in crashes involving a large number of vehicles and those that result in catastrophic injury or death.

The officer or officers who arrive at the scene will talk with the drivers involved in the accident, as well as with anyone who witnessed the crash. Police will also take note of physical evidence, such as vehicle damage and skid marks. An officer may also ask a trucker or another driver involved in the collision to submit to a blood alcohol test if there is reason to believe the person has been drinking.

The police report of the accident is often vital in determining who is to blame for a crash. 

This is true even in situations where the officer does not reach a specific conclusion on who caused the accident. In addition, witnesses’ memories may fade, and physical evidence could erode over time. 

It is also essential to consult an experienced attorney as soon as possible. A Villages truck accident lawyer at our firm will investigate the crash immediately. This includes pulling the police report, locating and interviewing witnesses, reviewing physical evidence and tracking down photos and video evidence.

The Villages Truck Accident Lawyer Tim Babiarz Can Help You With Your Claim

In the aftermath of a truck accident, it can be difficult to make sense of your situation. What went wrong? How can I make sure the trucking company is held responsible? What if I (or my loved one) was partially to blame? How can I make sure I recover enough money to cover my future medical bills and other expenses?

These are all important questions, and at the Babiarz Law Firm, PA we are happy to help you understand your rights in a free and confidential consultation. We also have an in-house investigator who can promptly visit the scene of the accident and collect key evidence for your claim. Our truck accident attorneys are accessible by phone or on-line, and we can make prompt arrangements to meet with you at home or in the hospital if you are unable to travel to our offices in The Villages, FL.

After a commercial truck accident, it is important that you seek experienced legal representation. We will be happy to provide you with a free assessment of your legal rights. To discuss your case personally with Tim Babiarz, please call us at (352) 205-7599 or request a consultation online today.