Gainesville Truck Accident Lawyer

Have you suffered injuries in a truck crash in Gainesville? A collision with a semi-truck can lead to life-altering injuries that leave you out of work while facing significant medical bills. When a truck driver or trucking company is responsible for a crash, you deserve to pursue financial recovery and justice for your harm. Let an experienced semi truck accident lawyer from Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, PA advocate for your rights.

Unlike other law firms whose attorneys merely serve as advertising figureheads while younger, less-experienced lawyers do all the work, at Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, PA, every lawyer handles cases. Each of our attorneys has extensive experience in personal injury cases, including jury trial experience in Florida courtrooms. Our attorneys have served as law school faculty and local bar association presidents. When you choose us to help you after a truck crash, you can expect to have one of our skilled attorneys assigned to your truck accident case from start to finish.

After getting hurt in a Gainesville semi truck accident, get legal help to pursue financial recovery for your losses. Contact Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, PA for a free initial case evaluation to discuss your case with a Gainesville truck accident attorney about your options.

Where do Truck Accidents Occur in Gainesville?

While Gainesville’s roads are busy with local traffic, they’re also major routes for trucks. With the city’s proximity to I-75, large trucks frequently pass through the area and share the road with students, residents, and visitors. During major events like University of Florida football games, which bring in crowds of up to 90,000 people, or peak travel times like freshman move-in week and holiday breaks, congestion spikes and accidents involving big rigs become more likely.

Several areas in Gainesville are known for truck-related accidents:

I-75 through Alachua County
Archer Road and 34th Street
Main Street and University Avenue
13th Street and University Avenue
39th Avenue and 13th Street
Newberry Road
HWY 441 (13th Street) and HWY 301

While Gainesville has implemented safety measures to improve traffic flow, truck accidents are still a serious concern. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, a Gainesville truck accident attorney can help you understand your legal options and rights.

Leading Causes of Truck Crashes in Gainesville, Florida

Many crashes involving large commercial trucks occur due to careless actions by a truck driver or trucking company. Some of the leading causes of Gainesville semi-truck crashes include:

Truck Driver Fatigue: Drowsy driving contributes to over 100,000 crashes per year in the U.S. Long-haul drivers may feel pressured to meet delivery schedules, which may cause them to exceed federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. When drowsy drivers operate an 80,000-pound vehicle, delayed reaction times and poor-decision making increase the risk of accidents.
Speeding: Large trucks require significantly more distance to come to a complete stop than smaller vehicles, and speeding makes it even harder for truck drivers to react in time. This increases the risk of jackknifing, rollovers, or devastating collisions at intersections and highway merge points.
Distracted Driving: Texting, adjusting GPS systems, eating, or using in-cab communication devices can take a driver’s focus off the road. Even a few seconds of distraction can lead to a deadly crash given the sheer size and weight of semi-trucks.
Driving Under the Influence: Federal regulations prohibit truck drivers from operating their vehicles with a blood alcohol content (BAC) over 0.04%; however, some drivers still violate these laws. Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and stimulants used to stay awake can also impair judgement and reaction times.
Inadequate Truck or Trailer Maintenance: Trucking companies and drivers are legally required to inspect their vehicles before each trip, but skipped inspections and delayed repairs still occur, which can lead to catastrophic failures.

Other common causes of trucking accidents include:

Tailgating/failing to maintain adequate stopping distance
Not using mirrors or indicators when turning or changing lanes
Improper wide turns
Reckless driving, including excessive speeding or swerving through traffic
Failing to yield the right of way
Running red lights or stop signs
Disregarding traffic controls
Unsafe cargo loads

Importance of Legal Experience When Selecting Your Gainesville Semi Truck Accident Lawyer

Trucking companies and their insurers have teams of investigators, adjusters, and attorneys to defend against truck crash lawsuits. You need an experienced truck collision attorney to help level the playing field. A seasoned attorney with experience in truck crash cases will know what evidence to look for that may help prove responsibility for the collision and your injuries. Critical evidence may include the trucking company’s records, black box data, or even the truck itself. An attorney can take steps to preserve and obtain this valuable evidence.

An attorney can work with accident reconstruction experts to prepare reports and testimony that persuasively explain how the crash happened and identify the parties who caused the collision. Your lawyer can prepare and file insurance claims or demand letters on your behalf to begin pursuing a settlement. If you must file your claims in a truck crash lawsuit, your attorney can prepare a persuasive complaint and advocate for your right to full financial recovery.

Meet the Truck Accident Lawyers at Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, P.A.

Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, P.A. is built on decades of legal experience and a commitment to fighting for those injured in semi-truck accidents. Our team has a deep understanding of the local court system, trucking regulations, and the intricacies of these types of cases. Here are the attorneys fighting for you:

Jack Fine started his nearly five decade career as a public defender before teaching trial practice at the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law. His knowledge of the Alachua County court system and strong community connections make him a valuable asset for clients.
Cherie Hoch Fine has been practicing law for over 43 years, including serving as the president of the local bar association. Her leadership and dedication to justice have earned her a reputation for integrity and excellence in representing accident victims.
Julie Aleve Fine has over 12 years of prosecutorial experience, including her time as a state attorney. Her understanding of litigation strategy and commitment to client advocacy make her a trusted ally in the courtroom. She currently serves on the board of the Florida Justice Association.

We were also honored to have former Alachua County Chief Judge Martha Ann Lott work with us before her retirement as she brought invaluable legal insight and judicial experience to our team.

Truck accidents can be complicated and involve detailed investigations and large insurance companies. Our team knows how to handle these challenges, and we’re prepared to build a strong case on your behalf. If you’ve been involved in a trucking accident, contact our truck accident attorneys today for a free consultation.

Gathering Evidence and Determining Responsibility for Truck Crashes

The lawsuit process for truck crash cases often involves more evidence than other motor vehicle accident cases. State and federal regulations require trucking companies to maintain records that may include evidence of fault for a crash. Examples of evidence you might use to prove responsibility for a truck crash include:

The truck driver’s hours-of-service records
The truck driver’s driving and employment records
The truck’s event data recorder (“black box”) logs
The truck’s cargo manifest
The truck’s maintenance and repair records
The truck driver’s post-trip inspection reports
Surveillance or traffic camera footage
Crash scene photos or videos
Eyewitness testimony
Post-crash vehicle inspections
Police crash reports

Maximizing Legal Strategies in Gainesville Truck Accident Lawsuits

At Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, PA, we recognize that every truck crash involves unique facts and circumstances. Our legal team thoroughly investigates every crash lawsuit to recover all available evidence. We also take the time to sit down with you to understand your needs, goals, and concerns to build a tailored legal strategy to secure the results you need in your truck crash lawsuit.

Contact Our Gainesville Truck Accident Lawyers Today

After you have suffered injuries in a Gainesville commercial truck crash, turn to the attorneys of Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, PA to recover the compensation you need for medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost income, and pain and suffering. When life changes, we’re there. Contact our firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn how our legal team can help you hold an at-fault truck driver or trucking company accountable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions we frequently get from semi-truck accident victims include:

What should I do immediately after a truck crash?

When you are injured in a truck crash, you can take steps to protect your legal rights to seek financial recovery for vehicle damage, injuries, and other losses you incur due to the crash. Things you should do after a collision with a semi-truck include:

Report the crash to law enforcement and request a copy of the police crash report.
Take photographs of the accident scene, including the roadway, the scene of the crash from different perspectives, skid marks, and property damage.
Seek immediate medical attention to have a doctor examine you for injuries you suffered in the crash.
Follow your healthcare provider’s treatment recommendations and recovery instructions.
Keep original medical records from your treatment and rehabilitation.
Keep all bills, invoices, and receipts of expenses you incur due to the crash, including vehicle repair invoices and medical bills.
Gather your pay stubs or income statements to calculate your lost wages if you miss time from work or experience reduced earning capacity due to your injuries.

Finally, contact a truck collision lawyer from Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, PA to get help pursuing your legal options and discuss the next steps you can take to seek financial recovery.

How can a lawyer help determine fault for a truck crash?

It is often necessary to conduct a thorough investigation to determine how an accident occurred and who is at fault for the accident. You cannot depend on the trucking company’s own internal investigation to support your lawsuit.

A truck crash lawyer from Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano, PA can help you hold those at fault for the collision accountable for your injuries and losses by thoroughly investigating the collision to recover all available evidence from the scene. A lawyer can also obtain other critical evidence, such as surveillance/traffic camera footage, eyewitness statements, and police crash reports. Your attorney may work with accident reconstruction experts to review the evidence and prepare reports and opinion testimony explaining what happened in the collision and identifying those responsible for the crash.

What financial recovery can I claim after a truck crash?

In a truck crash lawsuit, you may have the right to recover money for various financial and personal losses you incur. Your financial recovery may include money for your:

Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, prescriptions, and rehab
Costs of long-term care for disabilities, including housekeeping assistance, medical/mobility equipment, or home health services
Loss of wages due to time off work or reduced earnings while on part-time/light-duty work
Loss of future earning capacity and employment benefits if you are permanently disabled
Vehicle repair expenses or replacement costs if your vehicle was totaled in the crash
Physical pain and suffering
Emotional trauma or distress from the crash or your injuries
Mental health counseling expenses to help you deal with the trauma caused by the accident
Loss of enjoyment or quality of life due to permanent scarring/disfigurement or physical disabilities that affect your daily living

How do I prove negligence in a truck wreck case?

You can prove that a truck driver or trucking company caused a crash through accident scene evidence like photos, videos, or eyewitness testimony. In some cases, documents like hours-of-service records and cargo manifests may provide evidence of fault for a truck wreck. You may also need reports and testimony from accident reconstruction experts to explain what caused the crash.

What role does insurance play in truck accident lawsuits?

Trucking companies must have liability insurance to pay for accident-related expenses. The insurance company’s adjusters will investigate the crash to determine the cause of the collision and whether the insured driver or trucking company bears any responsibility. Your lawyer will negotiate to settle your lawsuit for a fair amount with the insurance company. If a settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer can file a lawsuit against the trucking company or other liable parties.

How long do I have to file a truck collision lawsuit in Gainesville?

Under Florida’s statute of limitations in Florida Statutes §95.11, you may have only two years to file a lawsuit after getting hurt in a truck crash. Although two years may seem like a long time to file a lawsuit, your attorney will need time to investigate the crash, determine responsibility, and prepare your legal filing. If you file your lawsuit after the statute of limitations expires on your truck collision lawsuit, the court can dismiss your case regardless of its merits.