St. Petersburg Truck Accident Attorney

A Brief Summary of the Following Page

• Common causes of truck accidents include: driver error, poor maintenance, defective equipment, and improperly loaded cargo. Multiple parties could be liable, including the truck company, owner, and manufacturer.
• Victims of truck accidents may qualify for compensation covering medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, future earnings, and property damage. In cases of extreme negligence, punitive damages may also be pursued.
• While it is technically possible to handle a truck accident claim independently, the complexity of the process and potential for overlooking critical compensation elements make hiring a skilled attorney advantageous.
• Marsalisi Law offers experienced legal representation for victims of truck accidents in St. Petersburg, helping them navigate complex legal processes and secure deserved compensation.

Millions of trucks occupy interstates and local roads 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Thousands of them pass through St. Petersburg daily.  Without trucks, many of us would not receive the goods we need to live our lives.  However, these vehicles are often operated by overworked and exhausted drivers tasked with transporting thousands of pounds of cargo across tens of thousands of miles with a deadline.

Although fewer trucks are on the road, a truck accident can happen at any moment and completely change your life.  What would be considered a minor incident occurring between two equally-sized vehicles becomes a life-threatening ordeal when pitting a standard car against a commercial truck 20 to 30 times its weight.  Ordinary drivers are much more likely to suffer significant property damage and severe injuries when they collide with a commercial truck or tractor-trailer.

Truck accident victims often require more time to recover from their injuries, keeping them out of work for lengthy periods.  As paychecks dry up, medical bills grow.  The aftermath of a truck accident injury is a stressful and uncertain time that few of us are prepared for.  Handling the logistics of recovering while taking action against the truck driver who hurt you can take a considerable toll on your emotional, physical, and mental health.  At Marsalisi Law, St. Petersburg truck accident attorney Frank P. Marsalisi understands and is eager to help you come out on top.

What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?

Immediately following a truck accident, your safety and health are paramount.  First, ensure you and anyone else involved are in a safe location away from traffic.  Then, call 911 to report the accident and receive necessary medical attention.  Even if you believe your injuries are minor, some symptoms can appear days later, making it essential to have a medical evaluation as part of the record.

Exchange information with the truck driver, including names, contact details, insurance information, and relevant license numbers.  If possible, take photographs of the accident scene, your vehicle, the truck, and any visible injuries to support your claim.  Collect contact information from witnesses, as their statements can be invaluable.

After addressing immediate health and safety concerns, contacting a St. Petersburg truck accident attorney should be your next step.  An attorney can guide you through the post-accident process, including dealing with insurance companies and gathering further evidence to support your claim.

Top Causes of Truck-on-Car Crashes in St. Petersburg

Different factors are responsible for the vast majority of car and truck crashes.  Driver error is the number one reason for any collision.  In the U.S., a quarter of all truck accidents caused by driver error were done by truck drivers who fell asleep at the wheel.  Other forms of human error include distracted driving, like eating, adjusting the radio, talking on the phone, and texting while driving.

Besides driver error, truck accidents can happen when the trucks are poorly maintained, equipment fails, or cargo is improperly loaded.  These reasons can eventually be traced to someone who failed to do their job correctly.

• Poor or Irregular Maintenance: Trucks travel tens of thousands of miles in their lifespans and require more frequent maintenance. They can quickly become deadly machines when they do not receive proper care.  A truck with poorly maintained brakes can be a moving disaster waiting to happen.
• Defective Equipment: Defective parts on a truck might not be the driver’s fault; in fact, the driver might not even realize a part is defective. Instead, the manufacturer of the vehicle can be liable for using defective parts, or the manufacturer of the part can be held responsible.
• Improperly Loaded Cargo: There are proper ways to load a commercial truck bed. Those who load cargo must do so carefully and in compliance with the law.  Improperly loaded cargo can cause the cargo to fall out of the truck and endanger others on the road.

Why Truck Accidents Can Be More Complex than Car Accidents

Commercial drivers must abide by strict federal regulations when operating semi-trucks and big rigs.  One of the main regulations they must follow is driving no more than 11 hours daily.  Unfortunately, many drivers exceed this limit because they often have very tight deadlines or financial incentives to make deliveries ahead of schedule.

A commercial truck crash can bring the following into the equation:

• Large insurance policies for truck drivers;
• Increased property damage;
• More severe injuries;
• Higher medical bills;
• A greater chance of death.

Who Is Liable for Your Truck Crash Case?

If you have suffered one or more injuries in a truck accident, several parties can be responsible for the pain they have caused you besides the truck driver.  In some truck cases, more than one entity can be liable:

• The truck company;
• The owner of the truck;
• The company leasing the truck;
• The company leasing the trailer;
• The shipper who wanted to transport the cargo;
• The manufacturer of the truck, trailer, or other parts;
• The mechanic trusted to make repairs on the truck.

Frank P. Marsalisi will work tirelessly to hold everyone accountable for your truck accident injuries.

What Compensation Can You Expect After a Truck Accident?

After enduring a truck accident, understanding the compensation you are entitled to is crucial for your physical and financial recovery.  Typically, victims of truck accidents in St. Petersburg may qualify for various forms of compensation, including medical expenses for immediate and ongoing treatments, lost wages due to time away from work, and damages for pain and suffering.  Furthermore, if the accident resulted in long-term disability or disfigurement, additional compensation could be awarded to cover future lost earnings and medical care.  Property damage compensation is also expected, addressing repair or replacement costs for your vehicle and any personal belongings damaged in the crash.

In cases where the truck driver or company acted with extreme negligence or recklessness, punitive damages might be pursued.  These are not meant to compensate the victim directly but rather to punish the defendant and deter similar future conduct.  The specific compensation you can expect largely depends on the circumstances surrounding your accident, the extent of your injuries, and the skill and experience of your St. Petersburg truck accident attorney in navigating these complex claims.

Working With a Truck Accident Lawyer in St. Petersburg

At Marsalisi Law, our truck accident lawyers take several measures to ensure your injury case has the best chance for success.  Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi takes pride in carefully reviewing every detail of your crash to establish all the facts.  He and his staff meticulously gather medical records, bills, accident reports, and insurance information to document your accident case.  After collecting relevant information, Frank investigates the crash by gathering evidence such as witness statements, police records, security footage, and more.  It may be necessary to reconstruct the accident scene to pinpoint who was at fault, which is best left to a reputable law firm like Marsalisi Law.

During the final step of your claim, Frank P. Marsalisi takes on all communications with the liable party or parties and insurance companies.  The goal is to seek just and fair compensation for your injury claim.  However, if negotiations fall through, we are fully prepared to go to trial should a jury trial be needed.

Can You Handle a Truck Accident Claim Without an Attorney?

Navigating a truck accident claim on your own can be extraordinarily challenging.  The complexity of federal and state regulations governing the trucking industry and the resources typically available to trucking companies and their insurers makes self-representation an uphill battle.  Without a deep understanding of the legal nuances and the ability to effectively negotiate with experienced insurance adjusters, you risk settling for far less than what your claim is worth.

Furthermore, the process of collecting and presenting evidence to support your claim, such as driver logs, truck maintenance records, and data from onboard electronic logging devices, requires specific knowledge and expertise.  While it is technically possible to handle a truck accident claim without an attorney, doing so could significantly disadvantage you, potentially leading to overlooking critical compensation elements to which you are rightfully entitled.  Engaging a St. Petersburg truck accident attorney ensures you have an advocate familiar with the intricacies of these cases, dedicated to securing the maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.

Trust a St. Petersburg Truck Accident Attorney With Your Case

Frank P. Marsalisi has vast experience representing truck accident victims against powerful insurance companies.  Every client receives personalized attention.  You are never alone while recovering from your accident with Frank by your side, and you can expect to stay updated about your claim throughout the process.

As a member of the Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers Association, Frank P. Marsalisi has successfully litigated several truck accident claims.  His top priority is to help his clients receive the compensation they deserve by law to get back on their feet.  Call (727) 800-5052 or complete our contact form for a free consultation.  We do not receive payment unless we win your case.  Marsalisi Law is Where Law Gets Personal.

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