Tailgating is widely known as the act of following very closely behind another vehicle. It is unsafe, reckless, and intimidating for the car being tailgated as they might be surprised, or it may affect their control over their vehicle. It has been reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety that a shocking 30% of road accidents are rear-end vehicle collisions. When a large truck is involved in a car accident of this nature, the repercussions can be catastrophic. Trucks are much heavier, bulkier vehicles, and if for whatever reason a truck is tailgating a car, the person in the smaller vehicle is usually affected more if an unfortunate event such as a car accident occurs.
Since trucks are heavy-duty vehicles, truck drivers are liable to act with a very high level of responsibility and accountability when on the road, for themselves and others. It is becoming a wide-known fact that Florida has shockingly high statistics when it comes to truck accidents. So much so that you have more chance of being in a truck accident here than in any other state. This includes places like Palm Beach and Southwest Florida, where personal injury from truck accidents can result in broken bones, for example, as well as other injuries.
Fort Myers accident lawyers are one of the best when it comes to representing people who have sadly been in truck accidents. Our Fort Myers truck accident lawyers, who specialize in personal injury, are the best you could wish for. Among impeccable attorney-client privilege, you will always receive the best advice possible and the dedication of a world-class team who keep the interests of their clients their priority.
Contact The Law Place today at Fort Myers, FL, on (941) 444-4444 and set up a free consultation.
What Are the Consequences and Causes of Tailgating Truck Accidents?
Collisions caused because of tailgating or that are rear-end in nature are a leading cause of truck accidents in the United States. These types of accidents are usually fatal for those involved, especially when a truck is involved. For a comprehensive, up to date look at the condition of Florida roads, including incidents, safety tips, and other information, please refer to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV).
Some of the most common injuries that affect people involved in rear-end, truck accidents are personal injury to the:
- Neck.
- Spine.
- Brain.
- Death due to not being able to slow down the vehicle(s) in time.
Consequently, these injuries can result in wrongful death. In this instance, family members will need to obtain the advice and legal counsel of a Fort Myers personal injury lawyer. In this event, you are welcome to contact The Law Place for a free consultation, and we will advise the best course of action for your specific case.
Accidents caused by tailgating usually occur when drivers fail to maintain a safe following distance with the car in front of them. One of the repercussions of this is that they fail to leave enough room for reaction should the car in front of them suddenly come to an abrupt halt, for example. Or, if the car or truck doing the tailgating cannot stop in time where necessary. It is a very easily avoidable occurrence that is sadly happening far too often.
Nevertheless, in a tailgating situation, you are not able to predict, control, or respond if you are too close to the car in front of you. Furthermore, you are also sat in the other car’s blind spot. This type of truck accident is among the worst because it can be easily avoided. This is even more true when it comes to a distracted driver, someone texting or speaking to someone next to them. This incident in itself is a serious offense, and an accident lawyer will be able to determine if this was, in fact, the case. Here your lawyer will need to gather evidence and obtain as much information as possible. If you need help in this regard, please do reach out to us at The Law Place, as we are accident lawyers based in Fort Myers.
Preventing a Rear-End Collision
You can do these simple things to prevent a collision in Fort Myers and elsewhere:
- At all times, keep a safe following distance from other cars – Rear-end accidents occur when a driver is too close to the car in front of him or her. Staying at the very least one full car length away from the car in front of you can significantly reduce the risk of a tailgating accident. This should especially be adhered to in Florida, where these accidents occur more frequently.
- If you can see you are being tailgated, do not accept it – Pull over if possible or move out of the way so the person can pass you. Always try to avoid a serious accident; it is better to exercise caution at all times, where possible.
- Talk to others about the dangers of tailgating, especially young drivers – Teenagers are among those responsible for a vast amount of accidents in Florida each year. Teaching your kids good driving etiquette or paying for a driving school to teach them this can have a great impact on reducing the risk of these accidents in the future, helping to keep the roads safer for everyone.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day. What Should You Do If You Are Involved in a Truck Accident in Fort Myers?
Being in a truck accident is a serious ordeal to go through, especially if the surrounding issues resulted in wrongful death, injury, or major personal injury in some way. However, if you are able, there are a few things you can do after the accident.
- Secure yourself by getting out of harm’s way.
- Check yourself for injuries/ personal injury.
- Check others for injury.
- Contact the authorities and seek the help of professionals.
Once you have successfully done the above, the next step is to get as much information and evidence as possible. This largely pertains to getting particulars of the accident and those involved so that you can provide your lawyer with as much information as possible to build your case. This includes:
- Details of the truck driver, their name, contact information, company they work for.
- Details of the truck itself including number plate, model, and anything that distinguishes the truck.
- So long as it is safe to do so, try to take photos of the scene, people, and vehicles.
- Try to draw a sketch or write notes about what happened. Doing a voice memo on your phone can also help save you time.
- Talk to as many bystanders as possible.
- Take note of the particulars of the authorities when they arrive, so you know who to talk to in the future. This includes names, badge numbers, and IDs of police officials, traffic police, etc.
At this point, you will need to secure an accident lawyer as soon as possible. You can contact The Law Place at Fort Myers in Florida for a free consultation, and we can discuss what type of help you require. If appointed, we will begin our investigation immediately as your lawyer to ensure we have all the information necessary and begin our representation as soon as possible.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience How Is a Truck Accident in Fort Myers Investigated?
In the very sad and unfortunate event of a truck accident, the first step is for the people involved to get an accident lawyer. Fort Myers lawyers will launch an investigation immediately to ensure your case is being handled correctly. We offer the best in the business when it comes to attorney-client relations, among other specialized services, and you can expect the best from us as your accident lawyer. Once you have secured representation from your chosen counsel, an official investigation will begin.
In Florida, it is mandatory for trucks to be fitted with an EDR (Event Data Recorder), which is specifically designed to record, monitor, and track the speed and brake application of a truck. Our team at The Law Place in Fort Myers has the skill set to read and assess this data, such as what the vehicle was doing before, after, and during an event. These devices are exceptionally valuable when trying to determine how the accident and surrounding event occurred, whether the car accident or truck accident could have been avoided, as well as whether the proper safety precautions were followed and what happened moments before the accident. We can help read this information and compile it accordingly when building your case.
Sadly, it often happens that a truck driver or trucking company tampers with evidence, including these data recording devices, to make the accident look more favorable towards themselves. Other methods of manipulating evidence can also come into play. For this reason, all reports and documentation need to be quickly and accurately obtained in order to avoid this. In addition to this, the accident lawyer will visit the scene of the accident to do a more hands-on investigation and get an idea of what happened from their own point of view.
Here, the lawyer will look at the area by assessing the parameters of the scene. For example, signs, fencing, tire tracks, looking at the vehicles themselves if possible, and so forth. Here we are able to paint a picture of the car or truck accident as an incident and where it took place. We can answer any questions and get an idea of what happened as an onlooker. The Law Place in Fort Myers holds attorney-client privilege in the most esteemed position. We offer free consultations in Southwest Florida and Florida as a whole and are happy to offer a free consultation to those who need help. The Law Place in Fort Myers, FL, can help you with a car accident, personal injury, or truck accident claim. You will require the services of a good Florida based accident lawyer if ever in this situation, and we are here to help, call us today.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers. What Damages Can You Claim in a Fort Myers, Florida Truck Accident?
Apart from claiming for medical bills, loss of income, or the destruction of personal property, some people who have been in a truck or car accident are able to claim for non-economic damages. This refers to any loss or hardship suffered due to the pain, sadness, and anguish brought on by the accident specifically. It is, however, extremely hard to prove these types of hardships and usually can only be done if it is clear that a victim has endured one or more of the following as a result of the accident.
- Permanent or significant injury.
- Loss of mobility or function.
- Significant disfigurement or permanent scarring.
- Death.
If you do not have any of the above injuries or impairments, you will not qualify to file for non-economic damages under current Florida No-fault laws as per the following statute, Florida Statute 627.7407. If a loved one has sadly passed away due to the accident, you or your family member may look into submitting a claim for wrongful death according to the following Florida Statute 768.21. As your lawyer and legal representative, we will be able to tell you if you have a case in this regard and can advise on the steps to follow.
How Quickly Should You Act After a Truck Accident?
You should gather as much evidence and information as possible, contact your accident lawyer in Fort Myers and contact your insurance company as quickly as possible. You should also check yourself for things like broken bones and any other personal injury you might have sustained. According to Florida Statute 627.736, you only have 14 days to seek medical attention after the accident.
It is vital that you have a competent lawyer to represent you, and we at The Law Place in Fort Myers can help you with all of your requirements. We will see to it that all evidence, reports, and important information is at our disposal so that you have all the evidence you need to build a solid case after your truck accident or car accident.
How Much Will an Accident Lawyer Cost?
At The Law Place in Fort Myers, FL, we offer a free consultation to our clients. After that, we will take a percentage of your overall and total payout once your case has been settled. This is as per the State Bar Associations. If for some reason you do not win your case, there will be no fee. After a car accident or truck accident, it can be difficult financially, and this payment structure allows us to take the financial stress away until your case is finalized.
Speak to an Experienced Fort Myers Lawyer About Your Accident – Call The Law Place Today!
If you have sadly been in a car accident or truck accident in Florida (including Southwest Florida), and are dealing with any personal injury or surrounding tragedy, contact us today. We would love to assist you by taking away the stress and guesswork of securing your future. Let us help you so that you can focus on what really matters.
Contact our experienced team today, call The Law Place on (888)-224-6114, to find out if you have a claim and how we can help you.
