Were you involved in a commercial vehicle accident in St. Petersburg, Florida? Call Graves Thomas Injury Law Group for a free consultation at (772) 569-8155. Our experienced St. Petersburg commercial vehicle accident lawyers can help you recover the financial compensation you need to move forward.
Our legal team has over 50 years of combined experience assisting Florida families following life-changing accidents. We’ve also recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injury victims across the state since our founding, which gives us the confidence needed to successfully take on any case.
Contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer, at which time we can review the facts of your case and help you get going with some initial legal advice.
Why Hire Graves Thomas Injury Law Group for Help After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in St. Petersburg, Florida?
Choosing the right law firm after a commercial vehicle accident in St. Petersburg, FL, can make all the difference in how your case ultimately plays out.
Graves Thomas Injury Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm that has received accolades from the National Trial Lawyers, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and other leading organizations for our stellar track record of success.
Here’s why accident victims throughout the state turn to our St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers:
- We’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients
- We have decades of combined experience in personal injury law
- We’ve successfully gone up against powerful corporations and insurance companies
- We won’t hesitate to take your case to trial if necessary
If you hire our St. Petersburg commercial vehicle accident attorneys, we’ll work tirelessly to recover maximum compensation on your behalf. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
How Much Is My St. Petersburg Commercial Vehicle Accident Case Worth?
Every commercial vehicle accident is different, and as a result, the value of your case depends on the specific facts and evidence involved in the situation. The severity of your injuries and the long-term effects on your life will largely determine how much compensation you can recover, though those are just two considerations among many.
Factors that can influence your case’s worth include:
- The extent and duration of your medical treatment
- Whether you’re able to return to work
- The amount of pain and suffering you’ve experienced
- Whether your injuries caused a permanent impairment
- The strength of the evidence proving fault and liability
- The insurance coverage available
Cases involving catastrophic injuries often result in higher awards because they lead to substantial medical bills and lasting consequences.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in St. Petersburg?
There are two primary categories of damages you can pursue in a personal injury claim: economic and non-economic. In rare cases that go to trial, punitive damages might also be available.
Economic damages may include:
- Medical bills, both current and future
- Property damage
- Lost wages/decreased earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages address the personal effects of your injuries, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental conditions such as PTSD
- Loss of quality of life
Punitive damages generally require “clear and convincing” evidence that the at-fault party acted egregiously, like causing the accident on purpose. That said, we will ensure that we pursue them in your case if it is sensible to do so and in accordance with the law.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer in St. Petersburg?
You don’t have to worry about affording legal representation after being involved in a commercial vehicle crash. Like most reputable personal injury law firms, Graves Thomas Injury Law Group works on a contingency fee basis.
That means that we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. If we recover a jury verdict or settlement agreement on your behalf, we will typically receive a percentage of your compensation award as payment. Otherwise, you do not have to pay us any attorney’s fees.
During your free consultation, our legal team will clearly explain our fee structure, ensuring there are no surprises.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for My Commercial Vehicle Accident in Florida?
In Florida, multiple individuals can share responsibility for an accident. Under the state’s modified comparative fault statute, your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault up to 50%.
For example, if you were found 30% responsible for the crash and your damages totaled $100,000, you would still be eligible to receive $70,000. However, if you are found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages at all.
If you’re being blamed for your crash, hiring an experienced commercial vehicle accident attorney typically becomes even more important. Your lawyer can effectively advocate for you and respond to these kinds of allegations.
Common Commercial Vehicle Accident Injuries in St. Petersburg, Florida
Our attorneys represent clients with a wide variety of injuries from commercial vehicle accidents, including:
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Chest injuries
- Arm and shoulder injuries
- Concussions
- Leg and knee injuries
- Facial and dental injuries
- Emotional distress
- Amputations
- Catastrophic injuries
- PTSD
- Anxiety and depression
No matter what injuries you are facing after your wreck, our team is here to fight for the compensation you’re entitled to.
What Causes Most Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Florida?
Commercial vehicles, such as delivery trucks, company vans, and construction vehicles, operate throughout St. Petersburg daily. When drivers or employers fail to follow safety rules or otherwise act negligently (carelessly), the results can be catastrophic.
Some of the most common causes of commercial vehicle crashes include:
- Driver fatigue
- Failing to follow FMCSA hours-of-service regulations
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Improperly secured cargo
- Distracted driving
- Lack of proper driver training and supervision
- Failure to maintain vehicles properly
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Overloaded vehicles
Regardless of how exactly your accident took place, you may be entitled to compensation from the responsible party. Contact Graves Thomas Injury Law Group today for more information.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Commercial Vehicle Accident Claim in Florida?
Florida’s statute of limitations gives most accident victims two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the accident resulted in a wrongful death, surviving family members also have two years to file a claim.
Missing this deadline usually means losing your right to recover compensation entirely. However, certain exceptions may apply, such as if the at-fault driver fled the scene or if the victim was incapacitated.
With this in mind, we recommend that you contact an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you file your claim on time. Evidence can disappear quickly, and early action gives your lawyer time to preserve proof and build a successful case.
Who Can Be Held Liable After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in St. Pete, FL?
Another reason why these cases can be relatively complex is that multiple parties may share legal responsibility. Liability may extend far beyond the driver behind the wheel in some cases, which could raise the value of your claim dramatically.
Depending on the facts of your case, the following parties could share fault:
- The commercial driver
- The driver’s employer
- The company that owns and/or maintains the vehicle
- A third-party contractor
- The manufacturer of a defective vehicle part
- A government agency responsible for unsafe road conditions
Florida’s comparative fault law (more on this below) also means that more than one party can be found partially responsible. Our truck accident attorneys will work to ensure that every liable party is held accountable.
Contact Our Experienced St. Petersburg Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Commercial vehicle accidents can turn your life upside down in an instant. Between serious injuries and mounting financial expenses, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
The attorneys at Graves Thomas Injury Law Group are ready to help you get back on your feet. We’ll investigate the cause of your crash and work to demand as much compensation as we can from everyone who shares liability.
Contact our St. Petersburg commercial vehicle accident lawyers for a free consultation. We’ll be at your side from start to finish.
