Fort Walton Beach 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney Information

Semi truck, tractor trailer and 18-wheeler accidents are common occurrences on Fort Walton Beach roads and highways. It is estimated that approximately 5,000 people die as a result of 18-wheeler accidents and big rig collisions in the United States each year with a substantial number of 18-wheeler truck accidents occurring in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, every day. Due to the population and traffic throughout, the city of Fort Walton Beach unfortunately has its fair share of big rig truck accidents. In 2008, the U.S. Census estimated Fort Walton Beach’s population to be at 18,880 people within an area of 7.5 square miles. With Fort Walton Beach being a principal city of the Fort Walton Beach–Crestview–Destin Metropolitan Statistical Area, 18-wheeler accidents and semi truck crashes on Fort Walton Beach highways are inevitable.

If you find yourself involved in an 18-wheeler or semi truck accident, call one of the qualified Fort Walton 18-wheeler accident attorneys on this site today.

Fort Walton Beach 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer
 

Due to the sheer weight difference of a car versus the weight of an 18-wheeler or tractor trailer, accidents that involve commercial vehicles often times result in severe injuries or even death. Compared to the average weight of an automobile, which is only 5,000 pounds, one can easily see how much more dangerous commercial vehicles like an 18 wheeler can be. That is why if you are injured by a semi truck or commercial vehicle in Fort Walton Beach, it is important that you choose an experienced Fort Walton Beach 18-wheeler accident attorney who knows the truck regulations and laws both nationally and for the State of Florida.

Commercial vehicles go by different names such as:

1. Lowboy
2. 18 Wheeler
3. Flatbed
4. Truck
5. Dump-Trucks

Fort Walton Beach truck accidents caused by an 18-wheeler, big rig, semi truck, tractor trailer, bus or commercial vehicle are common on Fort Walton Beach streets, avenues and highways. Many of the semi truck crashes that occur in the city of Fort Walton Beach happen along the major Fort Walton Beach highways, which include the SR 189, US 98, and SR 85.

Types of Trucks
 

The following trucks do specific things and carry certain types of cargo:

1. Bob-Tail Trucks
2. Tanker trucks
3. Refrigerated trucks
4. Flat bed trucks
5. Logging trucks

Buses are also considered commercial vehicles as well, but as a rule do not haul cargo. Instead a bus is a transportation vehicle that carries children or adults such as a school bus or commercial bus like Greyhound. School bus accidents or commercial bus accidents are common on Fort Walton Beach roads and freeways. The causes may vary, but often times the accident is a result of hazardous road conditions or driver negligence.

It is essential to hire a Fort Walton Beach bus accident lawyer if you have been involved in the following type of accident:

1. Fort Walton Beach city buses;
2. transportation buses such as Greyhound;
3. shuttle bus accidents when driving to and from the airport, such as Destin Airport or Northwest Florida Regional Airport; and/or,
4. bus accidents that occur running back and forth from Cinco Bayou.

The ways Fort Walton Beach truck accidents happen occur are too numerous to list. Blind spots, rear-ends, sideswipes, head-ons, load overturns, jack-knifes are all possible and can result in fatal wrongful death truck accidents.

If you live in Fort Walton Beach and have a claims for an accident that involved a big rig or an 18 wheeler, your case might be filed in one of these courts:

Okaloosa County Courthouse Annex
1250 North Eglin Parkway, Shalimar FL 32579
(850) 651-7200

Okaloosa County Courthouse
101 James Lee Boulevard East, Crestview FL 32536
(850) 689-5000

18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Serve Fort Walton Beach and Surrounding Cities
 

Serving clients throughout Northwestern Florida, including Apalachicola, Bay Minette, Bonifay, Brent, Chipley, Crestview, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Gulf Shores, Marianna, Milton, Mobile, Niceville, Pace, Panama City, Prichard, Quincy, Redbay, Southport, Tallahassee, West Pensacola, Wewahitchka, areas in the vicinity of Elgin Air Force Base, and other communities in Okaloosa County.

Fort Walton Beach 18-wheeler accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Fort Walton Beach 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Types of Trucks

Hiring a Fort Walton Beach 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in an 18 wheeler truck accident in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, it is recommended that you hire a qualified Fort Walton Beach 18-wheeler accident lawyer who is knowledgeable in federal laws and Florida state laws regarding trucking regulations. Fort Walton Beach, located in Okaloosa County,a principal city of the Fort Walton Beach–Crestview–Destin Metropolitan Statistical Area, with extensive roadways and congested freeways due to its high population. Therefore, it is not uncommon for truck collisions, wrecks, crashes and injuries to occur due to the high amount of traffic. If you or a loved one have been injured in a Northwest Florida truck accident, contact a qualified Fort Walton Beach semi truck accident attorney today for a free initial consultation.

Fort Walton Beach & Florida Professional Associations
 

In addition to selecting a qualified Fort Walton Beach accident & injury lawyer that regularly handles Fort Walton Beach big rig truck accident cases, you should also check out the attorney’s credentials. For example, is the attorney a member of the Florida Justice Association or the Florida Bar? All lawyers that practice Fort Walton Beach truck accident litigation must be active members of the State Bar of Florida. They may also join other professional organizations, such as:

• Florida Justice Association
• Florida Bar

The Florida Justice Association works to ensure that Floridians know and understand the importance of their rights to justice and to make certain that these rights are safeguarded and protected. The Florida Bar is a guardian for the integrity of the legal profession, it is the statewide professional organization of lawyers.

Big Rig Accidents Can Be Devastating

When a negligent truck driver makes the decision to get behind the wheel of their semi tractor-trailer, any driver traveling near them is at risk for serious injury or death. The consequences of an 18-wheeler truck a crash along a Fort Walton Beach intersection, avenue, or freeway can be devastating, often resulting in very serious injuries that can even lead to death. The sheer force of a speeding 18-wheeler truck is a dangerous weapon that can forever change your life. Under the law if you are involved in such a wreck or an accident, you are entitled to compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering. If you or a loved one have been injured in a commercial truck accident in Fort Walton Beach, FL or Okaloosa County, it is in your best interest to contact a Fort Walton Beach big rig truck accident lawyer immediately.

Fort Walton Beach 18 Wheeler Accident Attorneys File in Okaloosa County, FL
 

When a truck accident occurs and a lawsuit is subsequently filed, the decision of where to file it is called “choice of venue.” The venue chosen can have legal consequences that affect the outcome of your case. Generally, venue in a truck accident case is proper in any of the following locations:

1. the county wherein the accident occurred;
2. the county wherein the defendant company’s principal place of business is located; or,
3. the county wherein the defendant truck driver resides.

Even though your accident may have occurred in Fort Walton Beach, the truck company and truck driver will often be from a different state. This is because trucking companies frequently operate in states other than where they are registered. In these cases, the venue where the lawsuit may be filed could be the state where the truck accident occurred, the state where the trucking company is located, or even the state where the trucking company regularly does business, if different. For example, the accident may have occurred in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, therefore making venue proper in Okaloosa County, but the claim may be filed against a trucking company from another state. You need a qualified and experienced Fort Walton Beach tractor trailer lawyer to decide what the best venue would be in a case like this that crosses state lines.

Some of the courts in the Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County, Florida, areas include:

Okaloosa County Courthouse Annex
1250 North Eglin Parkway, Shalimar FL 32579
(850) 651-7200

Okaloosa County Courthouse
101 James Lee Boulevard East, Crestview FL 32536
(850) 689-5000
 

18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Serve Fort Walton Beach and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Northwestern Florida, including Apalachicola, Bay Minette, Bonifay, Brent, Chipley, Crestview, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Gulf Shores, Marianna, Milton, Mobile, Niceville, Pace, Panama City, Prichard, Quincy, Redbay, Southport, Tallahassee, West Pensacola, Wewahitchka, areas in the vicinity of Elgin Air Force Base, and other communities in Okaloosa County.

Don’t be the victim of a semi driver’s negligence. Hiring a qualified Fort Walton Beach 18-wheeler accident lawyer is essential if you or a loved one have been injured in a truck collision. Contact a big rig accident lawyer today to ensure you receive expert representation from an attorney who knows how to handle your case.

Types of Trucks on Fort Walton Beach Highways

There are many types of commercial trucks found in and around Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Trucking companies in Fort Walton Beach offer a wide variety of vehicle choices. Some Fort Walton Beach trucking companies deal with courier and small package delivery as well. Some companies offer bicycle couriers for downtown Metro areas and will also use an assortment of vehicles ranging from cars, vans and pick-up trucks to large tractor-trailers and bobtail trucks.

Types of Trucks Used By Fort Walton Beach Trucking Companies:

• 18 Wheeler
• Semi Truck
• Tractor Trailer
• Big Rig
• Semi Trailer
• Box Truck
• Straight Truck
• Flatbed Truck
• Stake Truck
• Bobtail Truck

Be sure to insist on the highest levels of safety by selecting a reputable Fort Walton Beach trucking company that uses late model vehicles which are inspected on a regular basis.

When to Hire a Fort Walton Beach Tractor-Trailer Truck Accident Attorney
 

In many cases, Fort Walton Beach 18-wheeler accident attorneys must retain the services of scientific and medical experts to prove both the cause of the accident and the cause of your injuries. Additionally, a qualified semi truck accident lawyer will obtain all kinds of evidence concerning the scene of the crash, truck logs, and other important information to be used against the trucker, trucking company, or the company’s insurer. Arranging expert witness testimony and preparing important physical and documentary evidence is just one of many ways a Fort Walton Beach tractor trailer injury lawyer can help you after you’ve suffered a truck accident injury from a major 18-wheeler truck wreck.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a serious box truck wreck, semi crash or big rig accident, hiring a lawyer is the farthest thing from your mind when tragedy such as this strikes you, a family member, or a friend. However, this is when you need a Fort Walton Beach truck accident lawyer most. Do yourself a favor by calling one of the qualified Fort Walton Beach truck accident lawyers listed on this page. Hire a qualified Fort Walton Beach tractor trailer accident lawyer to help protect your rights.

Fort Walton Beach Trucking Companies
 

Following is a list of trucking companies based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Services offered include container drayage, loose freight drayage, overweight loads, bonded moves, same day delivery.

Truck Accident Attorneys Serve Fort Walton Beach and Surrounding Cities
 

Serving clients throughout Northwestern Florida, including Apalachicola, Bay Minette, Bonifay, Brent, Chipley, Crestview, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Gulf Shores, Marianna, Milton, Mobile, Niceville, Pace, Panama City, Prichard, Quincy, Redbay, Southport, Tallahassee, West Pensacola, Wewahitchka, areas in the vicinity of Elgin Air Force Base, and other communities in Okaloosa County.

Fort Walton Beach truck accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Fort Walton Beach truck accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Fort Walton Beach Semi-Tractor Truck Accident Lawyers Represent Injured Truck Drivers

Truck drivers who operate an 18-wheeler truck or big rig on the busy roads and highways of Fort Walton Beach such as the SR 85, I-10, US 98, or SR 189, can become injured when a major commercial vehicle collision occurs. Truckers often say, “Ride with me for just one day and you will see what it is like ‘out there’…it’s not always the trucker’s fault…”

It is not uncommon to see a big rig wreck, semi crash or major accident involving semi truck drivers in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Fort Walton Beach's freeway system, which is made up of miles of freeways and expressways in the Fort Walton Beach–Crestview–Destin Metropolitan
Statistical Area. The danger of an 18-wheeler truck accident is not just confined to injured people in automobiles, but can end up injuring the truck driver affecting their livelihood and family's livelihood as well as the automobile driver. So, when a Fort Walton Beach 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer is contacted, be it by an automobile driver who has been injured or a truck driver that has been injured at the dangerous hands of another, you will need an expert Fort Walton Beach truck injury lawyer to fight for your rights.

The Semi Truck Driver is Not Always at Fault
 

When an 18-wheeler is moving down a Fort Walton Beach road or highway, such as the SR 85, US 98, I-10, or SR 189 at high speeds, it is nearly unstoppable and can easily turn a motorist's everyday commute into a lethal situation. Although a passenger car is lightweight, in comparison, and can easily maneuver in and out of lanes on Fort Walton Beach highways, it is no match for a big rig truck. If the two vehicles are unable to avoid a collision, wreck or crash, the driver of the passenger car will be lucky to escape with their life.

A driver of a passenger vehicle could easily be killed as a result of  veering out of his lane and then smashing into a tractor trailer truck let's say on the US 98. If the trucker tried to avoid hitting the passenger car but was unable to avoid the wreck or crash, then this would be a case where the accident was caused by the driver of the passenger vehicle and therefore the trucker would not be at fault.

Truck Driver Facts

• Two of your fellow truck drivers die each day in accidents
• 33,000 people driving large trucks are injured each year
• 6.3% of U.S truck drivers are injured each year.

Injured Truckers Need Legal Representation
 

A qualified Fort Walton Beach 18-wheeler accident attorney should offer a free case review. If they decide to take on your legal matter, they should not require an up-front fee. Truckers with a trucking injury claim are generally taken on a contingency fee basis. In other words, your Fort Walton Beach truck accident attorney is only paid if you receive compensation for your injuries.

Injured Truckers Need to Know Their Rights
 

As a trucker, you have rights you need to be aware of. It is not uncommon for aggressive insurance companies to contact you shortly after the accident in an effort to try to get you to settle quickly and convince you that you want the matter to go away. In many cases, injuries are not so quick to heal. Many times the injuries can be permanent, long-lasting, and career-threatening. That is why you need a competent Fort Walton Beach truck accident lawyer that is not only prepared to mediate a resolution, but also prepared to take your case to court.

When Negligence Changes a Trucker's Life
 

Qualified Fort Walton Beach truck accident lawyers know exactly how to provide nationwide representation for truckers injured in trucking accidents caused by a variety of negligent acts and mechanical malfunctions, including:

• Rear-end, Head-On Crashes and Jackknives
• Poor Maintenance, including Tires and Brakes
• Driver Fatigue
• Unsecured Loads
• Aggressive Driving
• DWI/Drug Use
• Lack of Reflectors and Poor Visibility

Since trucking laws are governed by hundreds of regulations, litigation can be very complex. Hiring a semi truck accident attorney who specializes in the numerous trucking laws throughout the United States is essential for a successful verdict outcome. For more information about trucking laws or to schedule an appointment with an experienced commercial truck injury lawyer, contact a truck injury attorney today.

When an 18 Wheeler accident occurs, your Fort Walton Beach truck accident lawyer will check the truck driver’s credentials to see if he/she attended an accredited Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) school. In Fort Walton Beach, Florida, one truck driving school is Truck Driver Institute,5750 East Milton Road, Milton, FL 32583, although there are many others throughout the country. See the Nationwide List of Accredited CDL Schools for a more comprehensive list.

Truck Accident Attorneys for Injured Truckers Serve Fort Walton Beach and Surrounding Cities
 

Serving clients throughout Northwestern Florida, including Apalachicola, Bay Minette, Bonifay, Brent, Chipley, Crestview, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Gulf Shores, Marianna, Milton, Mobile, Niceville, Pace, Panama City, Prichard, Quincy, Redbay, Southport, Tallahassee, West Pensacola, Wewahitchka, areas in the vicinity of Elgin Air Force Base, and other communities in Okaloosa County.

Fort Walton Beach truck accident attorneys for injured truckers are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Fort Walton Beach 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.