Florida Truck Accident Attorney
Legal Help for Florida Truck Accident Victims
Due to the spike in e-commerce and other factors, more large commercial trucks than ever are on the roadways today. When a big rig collides with a car, it can cause serious injuries to occupants of the much smaller vehicle. In 2020, there were 4,965 fatalities and an estimated 146,930 injuries in U.S. crashes involving large trucks, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
If you have been seriously injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident, you may have a claim for compensation. It is important to speak with an experienced Florida Truck Accident Attorney at Justin Morgan Law by calling us toll-free at 1-800-9JUSTIN or 1-800-958-7846 as soon as possible.
What are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
Many factors contributing to truck accidents can be attributed to truck drivers and the trucking companies that employ them, including:
- Driver fatigue: Sleep deprivation and drowsy driving is a leading cause of truck accidents. Truckers make more money when they drive more miles. Under pressure from trucking companies to meet delivery deadlines, they may violate federal laws on hours-of-service regulations designed to help prevent fatigued driving in commercial vehicles.
- Distracted driving: Truckers on the road for long stretches may be tempted to use cell phones or dispatching devices, eat, read, adjust the radio, or engage in some form of distraction behind the wheel. A study found that 71% of large truck crashes occurred when the driver was doing something other than driving, as stated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
- Improper maintenance: Federal regulations require commercial trucking companies to regularly inspect, maintain, and repair their vehicles. When essential equipment on a semi-truck, such as tires, brakes, or steering, fails due to improper maintenance, it can lead to deadly accidents.
- Overloaded trucks: Proper loading of cargo is critical to the safe operation of a large commercial truck. Overloading a truck can add excess weight that can impact braking ability and cause truck tires to blow out. If the weight of the cargo is not properly distributed, it can cause the truck to roll over.
- Driver inexperience: With the current shortage of truck drivers in the U.S. trucking companies are hiring more inexperienced drivers. Lacking experience, truck drivers are more likely to make critical errors and fail to handle a big rig properly in emergency situations.
- Speeding: Commercial truck drivers are usually on tight schedules and may exceed the speed limit to get to their destinations as quickly as possible. Speeding increases the likelihood that a trucker will not be able to stop to avoid a collision, increases the risk of a rollover on a curve, and increases the severity of a collision if it occurs.
Who is Liable for Truck Accident Injuries?
Truck accidents can cause serious injuries, including fractured bones, internal organ damage, spinal cord injuries, head and brain injuries, and amputations. There may be multiple potentially liable parties in a truck accident case, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and parts or vehicle manufacturers. Our Florida Vehicle Accident Attorneys at Justin Morgan Law can thoroughly investigate your accident to determine fault and liability.
Depending on the circumstances and the nature and severity of your injuries, truck accident damages may include medical expenses, lost income, loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other losses. We can assess the full value of your damages – past, present, and future – and effectively pursue fair compensation on your behalf.
Our seasoned Weston Truck Accident Attorneys, Serving the State of Florida, at Justin Morgan Law believe in working smarter and faster. We take a team approach to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients. After a serious truck accident, call Justin Morgan Law toll-free at 1-800-9JUSTIN or 1-800-958-7846 to find out how we can help.
Additional Truck Accident Information
- What Purpose Do Black Boxes Have Following Truck Accidents?
- Large Truck Blind Spots and How to Steer Clear of Them
- Truck Braking Best Practices That Keep Us Safe