4 Myths About Truck Accidents in Florida

Truck accidents are common, and commonly lead to severe injuries or even death. Over 4,000 people were killed in large truck crashes in 2020 alone. Because your risk of being hurt in a truck accident is high if you live in Florida (which was one of the three states with the highest amount of fatalities resulting from truck crashes in 2020), you need to stay informed about what to do if you are injured in this type of collision.

There are many inaccuracies surrounding the process of recovering compensation for the cost of injuries sustained in truck accidents. Having correct knowledge about what your options are can empower you to protect yourself and your family! Here are 4 myths about truck accidents in Florida, what the truth actually is, and what steps you need to take to ensure you are able to be paid fairly for the full value your injuries are worth. 

Myth #1: Lawyers Aren’t Worth The Cost After Truck Accidents In Florida

One of the most common mistakes people make following an accident is not seeking legal representation immediately after being injured in a truck crash. Many people believe that talking to a lawyer isn’t worth the money, but you actually stand to lose more money if you don’t hire a lawyer to represent you. 

If you’re injured, you could face paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills, lost wages, and other costs. Insurance companies are often unwilling to pay out damages to accident victims because doing so hurts their bottom line; alone, you don’t have much negotiating power, and you may not have the energy or legal knowledge to make a strong claim for a settlement that accurately reflects the true value of your injuries. 

An effective attorney can evaluate your case and help you avoid costly and time-consuming mistakes that can hinder your chances of recovering full compensation from the negligent party’s insurer. They can fight on your behalf to get you paid! Research shows that injured accident victims who hire a lawyer recover nearly three times the amount of compensation that unrepresented victims do after truck accidents in Florida. 

It’s also important to note that hiring a truck accident attorney does not cost anything upfront in most cases. Consultations are usually free, and legal services are paid for only if and when you receive a settlement by the insurer who is paying the settlement. Overall, the benefits of hiring a truck accident lawyer after an accident far outweigh the costs involved! 

Myth #2: Relying On Insurance Is Sufficient

Florida’s no-fault laws require every injured truck accident victim to seek benefits from their PIP (personal injury protection) insurance policies first before filing a lawsuit. However, PIP only covers 80% of approved medical expenses (only $2,500 if the injuries were non-emergent) and 60% of lost wages; that’s it, and that’s only if your insurer decides to approve those costs. Insurance policies are complex documents with many confusing terms that can make it challenging to interpret what type of coverage you have, and as we already mentioned, insurance companies aren’t your friend; they have a financial incentive not to pay you fairly. Sometimes, they may claim that your policy excludes certain types of coverage or limits the amount you can recover for a loss. Therefore, many beneficiaries receive less compensation from their insurance company than they expect or should get and sometimes even miss out on coverage they are entitled to. 80% of 50,000, for example, is only 40,000, which still leaves you paying $10,000 out of your own pocket!

A Florida truck accident lawyer can carefully review your policy and provide guidance on your options in the event of a claim. They can also negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to argue for a fair settlement that covers all your losses. If the insurance company won’t fairly compensate you, they can take them to trial in order to win the damages you deserve. 

Myth #3: Only Major Injuries Are Worth Filing A Claim For

When people are hurt in truck accidents in Florida, they often assume any injuries they suffer aren’t serious enough to warrant filing a legal claim or even a claim with their insurance company. They may think that as long as they didn’t have to go to the emergency room, they can treat the minor injury at home and it won’t cause them any problems in the future. As a result, they don’t seek medical attention or report the incident to their insurance company at all.

This is a mistake, because even “minor” injuries can cause severe problems if they go untreated, and you can’t project the long-term impacts of your injuries. For instance, some neck, back, or shoulders injuries can lead to long-term issues such as chronic pain and disability. You may misinterpret what your injuries actually are – such as thinking you just have a bit of back soreness when you actually have a bulging disc that will give you lifelong problems. The longer you wait to get medical treatment, the more difficult it will be to treat these injuries later, and the harder it will be to recover monetary damages from the insurance company.

While a severe injury such as a broken bone or spinal cord injury is obviously worth pursuing legal action for, minor injuries can also result in significant medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It is usually worth speaking with an attorney to determine how much your injuries are worth even if you don’t think they are that serious!

Myth #4: It Doesn’t Matter What Personal Injury Lawyer You Hire

Personal injury cases are just like any other type of legal case. The outcome depends primarily on the skill and experience of the lawyer you choose! That’s why it is vital to hire a reputable lawyer with relevant experience in personal injury law rather than a general attorney who handles a wide variety of cases. A Florida attorney (or group of attorneys) who specializes in truck accident injuries will be familiar with the local rules and procedures associated with these cases. This knowledge will help them manage your case effectively and protect your rights. 

Were You Injured In A Truck Accident in Florida?

If you were injured in a truck accident in Florida that wasn’t your fault, seeking legal counsel is essential to protecting yourself financially. However, it can be challenging to find a personal injury firm you can trust. 

Fortunately, at The Florida Law Group, our attorneys have years of experience dealing with the aftermath of truck accidents in Florida, and we have recovered over $1 billion for our clients. We can advocate for a maximum settlement for you! Call us today to schedule your free consultation and discuss the details of your truck accident. We can help you take your next steps!