Truck Accident Lawyer in Daytona Beach

Representing Clients throughout Florida

At any given time, thousands of semi-trucks are making their way up busy shipping lanes like I-95, I-75, and I-4. Unfortunately, these trucks don’t always make it to their destination safely – some are involved in serious accidents that leave unsuspecting drivers with life-altering injuries. The approximate amount of people injured in truck accidents across the U.S. is 140,000. The injuries in these crashes are much more likely to be traumatic and life-altering due to the sheer size and weight of these vehicles.

If you have been injured in a truck accident through no fault of your own, it is important that you understand your rights to compensation for your losses. At Politis & Matovina, P.A., we work diligently to provide the answers you need when seeking compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

The most important thing you can do to protect you and your family is to act fast! Evidence disappears in these cases but our team of investigators and engineers are ready, willing and able to make sure that does not happen!

Truck Driver Laws and Regulations

Federal law governs when truck drivers can be on the road and when and how long they must rest. These laws are called hours of service regulations and they are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). By law, truckers are not allowed to work longer than 14 hours.

This 14-hour window includes meal and rest breaks. After the 14 workday is over a driver must rest for at least 10 consecutive hours before returning to work. Within the 14-hour work window, a trucker is only allowed to drive for a total of 11 hours. Truckers are also mandated days of work even on the road.

These days off are regulated by how many days a week a trucking company is open and is often referred to as the 60/70 rule. If a business is open seven days a week, a driver must take 34 consecutive hours off after working 70 hours in an eight-day period. Likewise, if a company is open five to six days a week a driver can only work up to 60 hours in a seven day period before taking a 36-hour break.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents often lead to life-changing injuries, including spinal cord injuries and brain injuries. There are many factors that can go into causing a truck accident. Our skilled team of attorneys can work to determine the cause of the accident through thorough investigation.

Truck accidents are commonly caused by the following:

• Fatigued driving
• Drunk driving
• Inadequate training
• Insufficient maintenance
• Faulty vehicle part
• Poor road conditions

Your Daytona Beach truck accident lawyer understands the unique nature of truck accident cases and offers the guidance you need to pursue compensation that covers your immediate losses and any ongoing care that may be necessary to recover or adapt to a new lifestyle.

Who is Liable for a Truck Accident?

Unlike a car accident where the party responsible for the accident is usually the one held liable, several people can be held responsible for a truck accident, including:

• The trucking company: It is not uncommon for trucking companies to encourage their drivers to break FMCSA regulations, or cut other corners in order to help their bottom line creating a higher likelihood of an accident
• The truck driver When a truck driver is an independent contractor instead of an employee of the company they drive for or if they own the truck, they can be held liable. Additionally, if a driver was engaging in unlawful behavior at the time of the accident, such as drinking and driving, they can be held responsible.
• The truck manufacturer It is possible for an accident to be caused by a defective auto part, in which case the manufacturer of the truck may be held liable for the accident
• Cargo loaders If a truck’s cargo is not loaded properly it can create an accident since the weight will not be distributed as it should throughout the truck. In this case, the cargo loaders may be held liable.

Free Case Evaluations with Politis & Matovina, P.A.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, it is important to take action as quickly as possible – there are key steps that can be taken immediately after your accident to strengthen your case for compensation. Hire a Daytona Beach truck accident attorney as quickly as possible; do not take on the insurance company alone. The right attorney can improve your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve for your losses.

Our lawyers have successfully recovered compensation for countless victims of truck accidents, both through settlement and through favorable verdicts. We have the experience, the aggressive approach and the attention to detail you need to pursue justice for your injuries.