Contact an experienced underride truck accident lawyer in Tallahassee If you’ve been involved in a frightening underride accident with a commercial truck in Tallahassee. You’re likely facing a mountain of medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress, which can be incredibly overwhelming, but know that you don’t have to go through it alone.
The experienced legal team at Fasig | Brooks can help you understand the legal, personal, and financial implications of an underride truck accident. However, a truck accident lawyer in Tallahassee can also help you build a strong case, navigate the legal process, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
What Are Exactly Underride Accidents?
If you’ve been involved in a collision with a large commercial truck in Tallahassee, especially one where your car ended up under the truck, understanding what happened can be a crucial first step. These types of accidents, known as underride accidents or underride crashes, can be incredibly frightening and confusing.
Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle, most often a passenger car, collides with the back or side of a much larger commercial truck, like a semi-truck or tractor-trailer, and becomes wedged underneath. The significant size and weight difference between the vehicles can cause devastating injuries or even death for the occupants of the smaller car. Consulting with a Tallahassee personal injury lawyer may be necessary after such an accident.
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Common Scenarios That Can Lead to Underride Accidents
These are some of the most common scenarios where an underride accident can happen. If you’ve been involved in an underride accident, remember that seeking medical attention immediately is critical, even if you feel okay at first.
- Rear-end collisions. When a car crashes into the back of a truck, especially at high speeds, the force of the impact can cause the car to become lodged under the trailer. You may need to talk to a rear-end collision lawyer in Tallahassee if that is your case.
- Sudden stops. If a truck driver brakes abruptly to avoid an obstacle or due to a traffic jam, a following car may be unable to stop in time and crash underneath. Distracted driving on the part of the truck driver can also increase the risk of sudden stops.
- Side underride. This can occur when a car tries to overtake a truck on the highway and misjudges the width of the trailer, colliding with the side and becoming lodged underneath. Large trucks have extensive blind spots, and a car driving unseen in a blind spot could be struck by the truck, potentially leading to an underride accident.
The aftermath of such an accident can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. A qualified underride truck accident attorney in Tallahassee can help you understand your legal rights and options as you move forward.
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Common Injuries in Tallahassee Underride Accidents
The immense force involved in underride accidents with commercial trucks can cause a wide range of serious injuries. If you’ve been in such an accident, it’s important to understand the potential types of injuries you may face. Here’s a look at some common ones:
- Head injuries. Due to the impact or being struck by objects inside the truck, underride accidents can cause traumatic brain injuries (TBI). These injuries can range from mild concussions to life-altering conditions.
- Back injuries. The crushing force of the accident can cause spinal cord injuries, potentially leading to partial or complete paralysis, depending on the severity. This can significantly impact mobility and quality of life.
- Broken bones. Fractures are common in underride accidents due to the direct impact and the potential for being crushed by the truck. These injuries can require extensive medical care, including surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term recovery.
- Internal injuries. The force of the impact can cause damage to internal organs, such as the lungs, liver, or spleen. These injuries can be life-threatening and may require immediate surgery.
- Amputations. In the most severe underride accidents, the crushing force can lead to limb amputations. These devastating injuries require extensive medical care, prosthetics, and ongoing physical therapy.
- Emotional distress. The trauma of the accident itself, coupled with the potential for serious injuries, can lead to long-term emotional distress. This may include anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
It’s important to remember that this list is not exhaustive, and the specific injuries sustained in an underride accident will vary depending on the circumstances of the crash. If you’ve been involved in an underride accident, seeking medical attention immediately is crucial. A qualified Tallahassee catastrophic injury lawyer can also help you understand your legal options for pursuing compensation for your injuries and losses.
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Time Limit for Filing an Underride Truck Accident Claim in Tallahassee
The aftermath of an underride accident can be overwhelming, especially when you’re facing medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. Understanding important legal deadlines can be a burden you shouldn’t have to shoulder alone. In Florida, there’s a time limit for filing a personal injury claim, including underride truck accident claims. This time limit is known as the Florida statute of limitations.
Generally, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim in Florida. This means it’s crucial to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to ensure you meet all deadlines and don’t jeopardize your right to seek compensation.
If you’ve been injured in an underride accident, a Tallahassee underride truck accident attorney can advise you of your legal rights and options based on the details of your case. They can help ensure you meet all deadlines and guide you through the legal process.
Tallahassee Underride Truck Accidents and Wrongful Death
The loss of a loved one is always devastating, and when it happens due to a tragic underride accident, the emotional pain can be immense. If you’ve suffered the loss of a close relative in a Tallahassee underride accident caused by negligence, you may have legal options to seek compensation for your loss through a wrongful death lawsuit.
A wrongful death lawsuit is a legal action filed by surviving family members when someone dies due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another person or party. In the case of underride accidents, this could be the truck driver, the trucking company, or other parties whose actions contributed to the accident.
Damages You May Be Entitled to in a Wrongful Death Case
A wrongful death lawsuit can help recover compensation for various losses suffered due to your loved one’s passing. This may include:
- Loss of financial support
- Medical and funeral expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
We understand that no amount of money can truly replace the loss of a loved one. However, pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit can help ease some of the financial burden and hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence. If you’re considering this path, a compassionate wrongful death lawyer in Tallahassee can guide you through the process with sensitivity and understanding.
Talk to an Experienced Tallahassee Underride Truck Accident Lawyer Today
The aftermath of an underride accident can be devastating. A Tallahassee underride truck accident lawyer can be a powerful advocate, helping you understand your legal rights, navigate the complexities of the legal system, and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. They can offer you the support and guidance you need during this challenging time.
Pursuing compensation can help you deal with the financial burden of an underride accident and a loved one’s passing. Contact Fasig | Brooks today and schedule a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney. We can assess your case and help you make informed decisions.
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