Simple physics would tell us that when a large object, such as a semi-truck, crashes into a smaller object, such as a passenger car, the passenger car is going to sustain a serious amount of damage as compared to the semi-truck. For that reason, car accidents involving semi-trucks are oftentimes far more dangerous than “ordinary” car accidents, and they cause far more serious injuries, leading to higher costs and greater damages.
When a truck accident is caused by a negligent truck driver or trucking company and injuries are sustained by innocent parties, those negligent parties must be brought to justice. A personal injury lawsuit not only ensures that an injured accident victim is compensated for his or her injuries, but it also helps to ensure that a similar accident won’t happen again in the future. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a semi-truck, contact our office today to set up a free consultation on a prospective personal injury lawsuit.
Types of Truck Accidents in Florida
Truck accidents are oftentimes more complicated than car accidents because semi-trucks are complicated pieces of machinery with many different components. Each of those components creates an opportunity for malfunction or error, and in turn, there are many different types of trucking accidents that can occur. Some of the most common types of trucking accidents include the following:
Jackknife Accidents
A jackknife accident occurs when the cab section and trailer of a truck become turned at a very sharp angle, causing the two parts of the truck to collide in the middle. These types of accidents are caused by the ball bearing system that connects a truck’s cab to the trailer and oftentimes occur when the backside of a truck loses traction while the cab retains traction on the road.
Rollover Accidents
When cargo is loaded onto a truck, it must be secured in a manner to ensure that it does not shift during transit. When cargo shifts suddenly, the force of the sudden redistribution of weight can cause a truck to roll over. When compared to other types of vehicles, semi-trucks are much more prone to rollover accidents, and when a rollover occurs, a multi-car pileup often follows.
Lane Changing Accidents
One of the most common types of truck accidents involves a failure to yield to traffic while changing lanes. Because trucks are so long, they have many blind spots that require truck drivers to use extra caution to ensure that lanes are clear before changing or merging. When a driver does not ensure that lanes are clear, other cars can be quickly struck, and these cars are often left with nowhere to go. Usually, commercial truck drivers are well-trained to deal with the blind spots on their vehicles, but unfortunately, some drivers do not follow these protocols.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are complex events that can be caused by a multitude of factors, especially considering the many different ways that accidents can occur. Most trucking accidents are unfortunately caused by human error or simple negligence on the part of the truck driver, but other accidents can also be caused by equipment error, loading problems, or external forces. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue due to irregular work schedules
- Driving under the influence
- Improper cargo loading or securing
- Failure to maintain equipment
- Failure to perform safety checks
- Lack of driver experience or knowledge
- Speeding due to time restrictions
- Distracted driving
One of the most important reasons to consult with an attorney about a truck accident is that an attorney can assist you in investigating your accident to determine the cause. Sometimes, it may not be immediately apparent that an accident was caused by negligence, and an investigation must occur to find evidence of wrongdoing. Without an attorney, you may be completely unable to determine the actual cause of an accident, so you should consult with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident occurs.
Liability for Truck Accidents
An important aspect of investigating an accident’s cause is determining who is at fault for an accident, and in turn, from whom compensation should be sought. Trucking is a complex industry with many different players. In any given trucking accident case, liability may be assigned to any of the following people and entities:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company that hired the driver
- The cargo loading company
- A staffing agency that contracted with the driver
- A company hired to do maintenance on the truck
- The company that owns the truck
- The company that owns the cargo trailer
Truck Accident Personal Injury Lawsuits
No matter who caused a truck accident to occur, the law provides that an injured accident victim can and should seek compensation from the person or entity that caused their injuries. When you begin working with an attorney, your lawyer can assist you in conducting a thorough investigation, and from there, seeking compensation from whoever is liable for paying it.
In most cases, a settlement can be reached that may or may not require a lawsuit to be filed. In the vast majority of cases, settlements are reached after filing and before a trial occurs, meaning that compensation may be available to you and your family much faster than you might expect.
When opposing trucking companies, insurance companies, and the sophisticated attorneys that these companies hire, our team is unafraid and will not back down until justice is served. We will seek a swift settlement, but if an offer isn’t truly fair, then we’re not afraid to take cases all the way to trial until justice is served.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney Today
We’re proud to offer free, no-risk consultations to prospective clients who have been injured in car accidents involving semi-trucks. Requesting a free consultation is the first step in seeking compensation for your injuries, and if we are able to take your case, we will fight for your interests to the fullest extent possible.
Contact us today to set up an appointment with a member of our team.