Being involved in a motor vehicle accident of any kind can be an extremely stressful experience. However, when the crash involves a box truck, the aftermath tends to bring added complications for victims because of the potential for serious injuries as well as the multiple insurance policies that may apply.
If you were involved in a box truck accident in Florida, the main thing to keep in mind is that you likely have the right to pursue a personal injury claim for substantial compensation. An experienced Florida truck accident attorney can walk you through how the process works; until then, continue reading for the information you should know.
What Is a Box Truck?
A box truck is a commercial vehicle with an enclosed, cube-shaped cargo area attached to the cab. You may also hear them called cube trucks or straight trucks. They are commonly used for local deliveries, moving services, and transporting goods for businesses. Unlike tractor-trailers, box trucks have the cab and cargo area built onto a single frame.
These vehicles can weigh anywhere from 12,500 to 33,000 pounds, depending on the model and load in question. As a result, they require longer stopping distances and are harder to maneuver than regular passenger vehicles. Drivers who are not properly trained and who fail to account for these differences put everyone around them at serious risk.
How Negligence Applies to Florida Box Truck Accident Cases
Your case will most likely center on the legal concept of negligence, which essentially means the same thing as carelessness. To win your claim, you generally need to show that the opposing party owed you a duty of care, that they failed to meet that duty, and that their failure directly caused you to suffer measurable damages.
Some common forms of negligence in box truck cases include:
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Speeding
- Failing to obey traffic signals
- Improper loading of cargo
- Lack of vehicle maintenance
- Violation of federal trucking safety regulations
Florida is a “no-fault” state for auto accidents, so you can usually turn to your PIP insurance no matter who caused the crash. However, you may be able to escape the state’s no-fault rules and take legal action directly against the responsible party if your injuries were especially severe or if another exception applies. An attorney can help you determine your best plan of action for recovering as much compensation as possible.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Florida Box Truck Accident Lawyer
If you’ve suffered injuries in a box truck accident in Florida, two things are important to keep in mind. First, you may have a valid legal claim for compensation. Second, state law gives you just two years from the date of the Florida accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in most cases, with only rare exceptions.
Schedule a free consultation with Elliott Law Firm today to get started with your case at (800) 300-0303. We’ve recovered $55+ million for our clients across more than 20 years of experience and are confident we can help you with your claim as well if you hire us.