Three Keys Things to Know About Suing a Truck Company for Wrongful Death in Florida
The loss of a family member to a truck accident is a horrible, heartbreaking tragedy. Truck companies must be held accountable for any negligent actions or inactions that contributed to a crash. Your family may be able to bring a civil wrongful death lawsuit. At Pike & Lustig, LLP, we have the legal experience that grieving families can trust. Here, our West Palm Beach semi-truck accident attorney highlights three key things grieving families should know about bringing a wrongful death claim after a fatal wreck in Florida.
- You Have the Right to Seek Accountability Through a Civil Wrongful Death Claim
Justice matters after a deadly truck accident. While there are certainly cases where a trucker or trucking company may face criminal liability, these cases are usually civil legal claims. If the crash was caused by negligence by the truck driver or trucking company, you have every right to hold the responsible parties accountable. Your family has the right to seek answers, accountability, financial compensation, and closure through a civil wrongful death claim. Florida law gives surviving family members a legal path to pursue compensation for their loss, including financial support, funeral expenses, and the emotional toll of losing a cherished companion. A wrongful death lawsuit may or may not be necessary. Some wrongful death cases in Florida are settled by the truck company (and its insurers) before a lawsuit is ever actually filed.
- The Trucking Company Can Be Liable for the Actions of Its Driver
Following a deadly truck accident, you may be wondering if your claim is against the trucker or the trucking company. In many cases, the answer is “both.” Trucking companies can be held legally responsible for negligence, especially if they failed to follow safety protocols, allowed unqualified drivers on the road, or ignored federal rest requirements. Beyond that, their drivers are often covered by a commercial liability policy that is purchased by the company itself. A top-tier Florida fatal accident lawyer can help you identify all parties that may bear liability for your wreck.
- There Are Strict Time Limits to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Florida
Grief has no timeline. But unfortunately, the law does. Wrongful death claims are highly time-sensitive legal claims. In Florida, most wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of your loved one’s passing. There are only very narrow exceptions to the rule, such as one that death was not actually reasonably discoverable on the date that it actually happened. That deadline can feel like a blur when you are mourning. You do not want to fall behind the truck company or its insurer in the civil claims process. An experienced attorney will handle the deadlines and paperwork while you focus on healing. They will take immediate steps to preserve evidence, speak to witnesses, and start building a case. Be proactive: Speak to a Florida wrongful death lawyer for truck accident cases as soon as possible.
Contact Our Florida Wrongful Death Attorney Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our West Palm Beach wrongful death lawyers are compassionate, experienced advocates for justice. If your loved one was killed in a fatal truck crash, please do not hesitate to contact us today for a free case review. With an office in West Palm Beach and an office in Miami, we represent grieving families throughout all of South Florida.
