“Hidden” Defendants in Your West Palm Beach Truck Injury Case?

You've already fixated on what you believe to be the cause of your West Palm Beach injury.

For instance, maybe a trucker ran you off the road, destroying your vehicle and landing you in the hospital with contusions, broken bones, and more than a little bit of psychological trauma. Or maybe a staff member at a West Palm Beach area nursing home failed to give your elderly mother her diabetes medication on schedule, and thus she suffered complications that required her to be hospitalized for four months afterwards.

In any case, you likely "know" what happened and who should be to blame. You may feel like it is the job of your Florida personal injury attorney to simply carry out a plan to hold that alleged wrongdoer to account and maximize the compensation you can get from him or her.

This kind of thinking is actually quite dangerous, and it misses the mark.

Even the most straightforward-seeming of injury cases can explode with hidden twists and turns. Cases that seem "cut and dry" often aren't, especially once you delve into the facts. Conversely, cases that seem hopeless - where no liable defendant can be found - can often be solved. But "solving" difficult cases requires both skill and a bit of art as well.

For instance, let's look a little closer at that example of a trucker bulldozing your car off the road. Maybe you have evidence, such as a police report, that hints at the driver's culpability. But you may not have enough evidence to build a compelling case.

A deeper investigation might give you extra evidence to solidify the case. For instance, maybe a criminal background check reveals that the driver had been arrested multiple times for drug crimes. Or maybe he was driving with a suspended license. If so, the trucking company that let him drive may suddenly emerge as a potential liable party.

What Sets Truck Accidents Apart?

What separates truck accident cases from car accident cases? Is it just that truck accidents involve larger vehicles?

No, there's more. A lot more. Your attorney may need to investigate multiple areas that would not come up in a typical car accident case, such as:

• The trucking industry has standard rules about the amount of time driver can drive; a driver must keep accurate records of time on and off.
• A GPS device might have recorded the trucker's movements, including GPS coordinates and hours of driving.
• Trucker must legally abide by strict maintenance requirements.
• Truckers must keep neat, accurate maintenance logs.
• The driver's immediate driving history -- including how much he drove and rested prior to the crash -- may also critically come into play.
• Much more!

The takeaway here is this: Never assume that you understand all of the options and possibilities regarding your Palm Beach injury case. Connect with an attorney to get the good counsel you need to make more strategic decisions.

David J. Glatthorn is a civil trial lawyer with decades of experience in serving the West Palm Beach community. Call him today at (888) 340-2620 for help.