Four Defense Strategies Used by Large Truck Companies
Any type of traffic accident can have cataclysmic results, but large truck accidents often have some of the most devastating outcomes. This is primarily true for people who are traveling in smaller passenger vehicles and are hit by a large commercial truck. The sheer size and weight of such trucks along with the rate of speed at which they are moving are factors that, when combined, can obliterate and destroy a much smaller vehicle. The immense impact of these crashes can severely harm if not kill the passengers who are inside.
Unfortunately, fatal large truck accidents in Florida have been rising over the last decade. The Federal Motor Carrier Administration reported that there were just under 300 deadly large truck crashes in Florida in 2018 alone. Families that lose loved ones in these tragic events have rights and may be able to file a claim for compensation on their loved one’s behalf.
After a deadly accident, it can be challenging to figure out how to move forward, determine what to do, and what legal options are available. This is where an experienced attorney can be helpful. In Florida, the Tampa wrongful death attorneys at Fulgencio Law can discuss what legal remedies may be available to help you obtain the compensation you need for the losses that you and your family have suffered.
How Do Large Truck Companies Try to Avoid Liability after a Crash?
The devastation that exists after a large truck accident can be substantial. Injuries can be debilitating and even permanent, cars can be completely totaled, pain and suffering can be quite high, and also one’s ability to sustain gainful employment could be greatly impacted or totally diminished. The amount of financial compensation that victims may deserve has the potential to be considerable, and of course, large settlements are not anything that a trucking company wants to be responsible for paying out.
As a result, a large trucking company and their insurance provider are going to look for ways to reduce the payment to victims, or if they can, deny them payment for their losses. Some defense strategies trucking companies are known for include:
- Accusing victims of causing the accident and being negligent with their driving.
- Trying to connect with victims soon after an accident in order to minimize the chances that they can call an attorney. In this way, they may be able to talk them into accepting a much lower settlement.
- Use aggressive legal teams to bully victims and scare them so they do not file a claim for compensation.
- There are certain FMCSA safety guidelines that truck drivers and trucking companies must adhere to, and if they violate these rules, they can be held accountable. Companies may try to falsify documents to hide such transgressions.
Speak with a Florida Truck Accident Attorney Today
Working with a truck accident attorney who knows how to handle a complicated injury or wrongful death claim can make a big difference in the settlement amount that a victim is able to secure. For more information on how to proceed after a large truck accident in Florida, the Florida truck accident attorneys at Fulgencio Law are here for you to meet during a free consultation. Please call (813) 463-0123 today.