There are many different types of truck accidents, and they all have the potential to result in a catastrophe due to the large size and weight of commercial vehicles compared to the smaller size of other motor vehicles.
Truck accidents can cause serious injuries and even fatalities, and it is usually the fault of the truck driver who behaved in a negligent manner behind the wheel – either by speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fatigued driving, aggressively driving, etc.
If you were involved in a truck accident that was not your fault in the State of Florida, then you will need to hire a truck accident lawyer with experience to manage your case and achieve the compensation that you deserve.
The Law Place has over seventy-five years of collective experience and knowledge in tackling truck accident cases all over the State of Florida. Our law firm has seen and done it all, and we are aware of the many common types of truck accidents that occur on the roadways in Florida. Our team of truck accident attorneys will guide you through the legal system and help you to file a personal injury claim.
The phone lines to The Law Place are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week so that you can call us when you are ready.
Contact us now at (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation, and we will fight your truck accident case together in the State of Florida.
Different Types of Truck Accidents in Florida
It is important for you to understand the many reasons for truck accidents to occur, as it can help you to stay safer on the roadways in the State of Florida. The more aware you are, the more you will be able to avoid situations that can lead to horrific truck accidents and remain careful when driving on the same road as a commercial vehicle.
Here are some of the most common types of truck accidents:
- Wide turn collisions – Trucks are large and difficult to maneuver. A wide turn is when a truck driver steers left to make enough room for them to turn right. If there is traffic behind, and there are more cars to the left and right side that the truck driver is not aware of, then it can result in trapped vehicles and motorcyclists.
- Head-on collisions – A truck driver can collide head-on with another driver when they swerve into oncoming traffic in the next lane, which can result in fatalities or disabling injuries. A head-on collision is usually caused by driving under the influence (DUI), fatigue, or a defective vehicle part.
- Jackknife accidents – A commercial vehicle, like a semi-truck or a tractor-trailer, has two separate parts (a cab and a trailer), which are connected by a hitch. The flexibility of the hitch allows the truck to make turns. However, the cab might skid when the driver brakes too fast for the weather or road conditions, which can cause the truck to fold in on itself. For example, the cab and trailer might land next to each other but face opposite directions. It is possible for other vehicles to crash into the jackknifed truck, which can cause a massive pileup on the highway.
- Rollover accidents – It is not uncommon for truck drivers to avoid sustaining any injuries in a crash, but rollover accidents can be particularly dangerous for them. If a truck driver loses control over their vehicle because of speeding, overloaded cargo, or a malfunction in the system, and the driver attempts to turn the vehicle around a corner or a curve, the truck can potentially roll over. In simpler terms, a rollover accident is when the truck loses contact with the road, and the vehicle ends up on its side or turned upside down.
- T-bone accidents – Also commonly known as side-impact collisions. A T-bone truck crash tends to occur at intersections when the full force of a truck collides with the side of another vehicle. Either one of the drivers could have been running a red light or failed to stop at a stop sign, which consequently resulted in a crash.
- Underride accidents – Also commonly known as rear-end collisions. An underride accident tends to occur when a motor vehicle and a commercial vehicle collide, and the motor vehicle slides underneath the truck. The car will get stuck under the truck, and it will ride underneath the commercial vehicle until it eventually stops moving. If the brake lights on the truck were not working or they were not being used properly, or if the driver were to change lanes without signaling first, then there is the possibility of a rear-end collision happening.
- Override accidents – An override accident occurs when a truck rear-ends a smaller vehicle on the road. If the truck driver does not stop the vehicle, then they will probably run over the smaller vehicle. An override accident happens when a truck driver is following another vehicle too closely (also known as tailgating) or if they experience brake failure, or if they are driving while distracted.
- Lost loads – The load in the back of a truck can fall out when the cargo has not been properly loaded and secured. The contents of the cargo might spill out onto the road and become a serious hazard to other road users. A lost load can cause traffic to build-up and even result in personal injury.
- Tire blowout – A truck might be forced to move in a different and unexpected direction if the tires were to blow out. A weakened tire can be the subject of sudden pressure or impact (such as potholes, overloading, experiencing heat, being under-inflated, etc.), and they can burst or lose pressure quickly.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Florida
There are several different factors that can contribute to causing a truck accident on Florida roadways. Some of the factors might be out of your control, such as hazardous weather conditions or poor road maintenance.
The most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driving under the influence (DUI) – Impaired drivers can cause disastrous accidents, especially when the crash involves a commercial vehicle that weighs up to 80,000 pounds.
- Driver fatigue – Many truck drivers experience pressure to transport their goods on time, which might cause them to be fatigued after driving for so many hours on the road. Fatigue will cause drivers to have trouble with concentration, reflexes, and reaction times. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has ordered hours of service regulations, which include mandatory rest breaks for truck drivers in an attempt to reduce the number of crashes caused by driver fatigue. A truck driver who breaks these rules can be held liable for a crash due to their negligence in the State of Florida.
- Speeding – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that over 21% of truck drivers have at least one speeding conviction on their record in a recent report. Speeding is a very dangerous action that can lead to devastating consequences.
- Distracted driving – A truck driver who uses their mobile phone to check maps, search for directions, take a phone call or text while behind the wheel can lead to a colossal accident.
- Poor maintenance – A large truck is a complicated machine that requires strict maintenance and safety inspections in order to be secure for the road. Brake failure, tire blowout, and mechanical problems are often due to negligent maintenance.
- Faulty parts – If a defective part of a truck results in a serious crash, then you might be able to file a claim against the manufacturer of the defective parts.
- Inadequate training or hiring – Every trucking company must hire drivers with the appropriate license and training for the type of commercial vehicle that they will be driving. However, if they fail to hire employees with the necessary experience and knowledge, then they will be held liable for causing a truck accident.
- Other drivers – The negligent actions of other road users can result in multi-vehicle accidents, which can involve large commercial vehicles and cause multiple injuries.
There are many other types of causes for truck accidents, such as blind spots, wide turns, road construction, and shifts in traffic that can make it difficult for road users, especially truck drivers, to navigate their way around it safely.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day. Types of Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents in Florida
Here are some of the most common types of injuries caused by truck accidents in the State of Florida:
- Cuts and bruises.
- Burns.
- Broken bones.
- Neck injuries.
- Torso and chest trauma.
- Spinal cord injury.
- Internal bleeding.
- Soft tissue damage.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Loss of limbs.
- Paralysis.
The recovery process for truck accident injuries can take up to months or even years to get back on your feet. The physical, emotional, mental, and financial suffering is a huge hit to take in the aftermath of a truck accident. In this case, you will need a reputable law firm on your side to achieve justice for you and for your family.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience Compensation for Truck Accident Victims in Florida
There are two general categories of compensation available for those involved in truck accidents – economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages refer to actual financial losses that can easily be calculated, such as:
- Medical bills.
- Property damage.
- Lost wages.
- Lost earning capacity.
- Funeral expenses.
Non-economic damages cannot be easily calculated, as they are subjective losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress.
- Mental anguish.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers. Contact The Law Place Today
If you have been injured in a truck accident due to the negligence of a truck driver, then you are entitled to file a claim for compensation in the State of Florida. To do this, you will need the assistance of a truck accident lawyer to handle your case and fight for the compensation that you are owed.
The Law Place has over seventy-five years of combined experience in managing truck accident claims for clients throughout the State of Florida. Our law firm has a comprehensive understanding of the law surrounding truck accidents, and we intend to fight for your legal rights no matter what.
If you put your faith in us, then we will work toward a successful outcome for your personal injury claim against the trucking company, the truck driver, or the manufacturer of the defective part that caused your crash. Rest assured that we will not let anyone get away with causing an accident without paying the price.
Our law firm will fight to recover compensation for all of your damages, including injuries, property damage, pain and suffering, and more.
Contact us now at (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation, and we will fight your truck accident case together in the State of Florida.
