Most commercial vehicles are used to deliver products to stores and manufacturers. Others, though, carry certain types of cargo to construction sites and other industries. One of these specialized types of commercial trucks is cement trucks. As children, many people were fascinated by these large vehicles that slowly churned cement even while they were in motion. However, the reality is that these trucks pose a real danger to other motorists on the road.
Cement trucks can weigh as much as 60 tons, so when they crash into a smaller vehicle, people are at great risk of suffering serious injury or even death. Like any accidents on the roadway, you can file a claim after a crash with a cement truck, but you should not do it alone. A Fort Lauderdale cement truck accident lawyer can help you through the challenges these claims present.
Our Fort Lauderdale Cement Truck Accident Lawyer Knows the Risk These Vehicles Pose
Even when they are empty, cement trucks are extremely heavy, and when they are carrying cement, they become even heavier. Cement trucks also have a higher center of gravity, even higher than other commercial vehicles, making them more difficult to control. Cement truck drivers are also under increased pressure to deliver their cargo quickly, so the cement does not harden, resulting in them speeding, which increases the chances of a crash occurring.
When a cement truck is involved in an accident, the impact is even more forceful due to the weight and size of the truck. Additionally, the cement may spill out of the trailer, putting anyone in the nearby vicinity at great risk of suffering devastating injuries and damage. Unfortunately, these are just a few of the greatest risks cement trucks pose to other motorists. Speak to a Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer for more information.
Our Fort Lauderdale Cement Truck Accident Lawyer Can Determine Liability After a Crash
You can recover financial compensation after being involved in an accident with a cement truck. If you need to file a claim against the negligent party, which is likely the case, you will have to determine who is liable for your accident. This is often one of the most difficult aspects of cement truck accident claims.
It is easy to assume that the cement truck driver is at fault for a crash, and sometimes that is true. However, others can be at fault, too. If the trucking company engaged in negligent hiring or training practices, or they failed to regularly inspect and maintain their trucks, they can also be held liable for a crash. Manufacturers can also be held liable for a crash if any part of the cement truck was defective or faulty and that defect caused the crash.
It is even more difficult to determine liability after a cement truck accident than it is when a crash involves two passenger vehicles. A personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can determine who to hold liable so you can recover the full damages you deserve.
Damages You May Be Able to Recover
Victims are able to recover any damages they suffered as a result of the cement truck accident. Some of the damages you may be able to recover include:
- Medical bills associated with the accident and your recovery
- Time lost at work
- Damage to your property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and mental anguish
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium
We look at all ways that this accident is impacting your health and wellbeing to get a good understanding of what your risks are. With this information, our legal team will build a strong claim that the insurance companies cannot ignore.
When a Fort Lauderdale cement truck accident happens, the need to act quickly to recover damages is critical. Florida has a two-year statute of limitations for most accidents. You must be able to file a claim within that time frame in a court of law to receive fair damages.
Common Causes of Cement Truck Accidents
Understanding the cause of a cement truck accident enables you to seek fair compensation for all of your losses from all parties responsible. Our objective is to be thorough in seeking those damages, and having a clear picture of fault makes that possible. Some of the reasons these accidents happen include:
- Inexperienced or untrained drivers or operators
- Poorly maintained vehicles that break down
- Aggressive driving or reckless driving in any way
- Unsafe conditions at the job site
- Fatigued drivers
- Impairment from alcohol, medications, or drugs of other forms
- Manufacturer defects and faults that cause accidents
- Improper loading of cement and materials
To gain insight into what happened in your case, our cement truck accident lawyer will seek video and witness statements. We may force the cement truck company to provide logs of maintenance on their vehicles, driver training and experience, and insight into any previously known violations by that driver. We examine all losses carefully to look for evidence to back up these claims.
More than one party could be responsible for your injuries and losses, including:
- The operator of the cement truck
- The company that loaded the cement truck
- The construction site team
- The owner of the truck
- The manufacturer of the truck
When more than one party is responsible, that opens the door to potentially more aggressive claim coverage. Expect a Fort Lauderdale cement truck accident lawyer to fight for full compensation for your claim.
Do Not Just Settle with the Insurance Company
It can be difficult to handle insurance companies for construction companies and cement trucks because they have a lot at stake. These companies will do all they can to reduce what they pay out to victims. We handle this process for you instead.
When you turn to our Fort Lauderdale cement truck accident lawyers, we find the necessary evidence to build a strong case. We then work tirelessly with you to document all of your losses and negotiate with the insurance company. This protects your privacy and helps minimize the risk of the insurance company tricking you into settling for too little.
These are funds you need to rebuild your life and pay for your medical bills. With the guidance of an attorney from our firm, you gain the necessary knowledge to make sure they pay you.
Call Our Cement Truck Accident Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale Today
At Rosen Injury Law, P.A., our Fort Lauderdale cement truck accident lawyer is dedicated to helping accident victims claim compensation for their injuries, and we want to help you, too. If you have been injured, call a Fort Lauderdale accident attorney today at 954-787-1500 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our knowledgeable lawyer.