Truck Accident
Accidents involving trucks, including semi tractor trailer accidents, occur all too often in Florida. In 2007, there were almost 300 fatal crashes in Florida involving large trucks, with over 300 fatalities reported as a result of those crashes. There were over 4,000 large trucks involved in non-fatal accidents in Florida in that year, causing almost 4,500 injuries resulting from those accidents.
Truck accidents are different than other motor vehicle accidents in the severity of damages and injuries that occur when the truck collides with another vehicle. Injuries from truck accidents can include broken bones, head injuries, neck injuries, burns, or catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord injuries, paralysis, loss of a limb, or disfigurement. Truck accidents also can result in death.
Truck accidents can be caused by many different factors. Some common causes of truck accidents include the following:
- Excessive Speed of the Truck or Driving Too Fast for the Conditions
- Fatigue
- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Other Drug
- Driver Inexperience
- Lack of Proper Driver Training
- Reckless or Dangerous Driving
- Negligently Maintained Equipment (such as faulty brakes, over or under inflated tires, safety lights that do not light up properly)
- Illegal Changing of Lanes
- Making Excessively Wide Turns
- Truck Rollover After Turning Too Quickly
- Overloaded or Oversized Trucks
- Shifting of the Truck Load
Truck Accident Liability
Truck accidents often involve very complex legal issues that are not present in other types of motor vehicle accidents. Sometimes it is difficult to determine who is liable for the accident and the resulting injuries. Possible responsible parties can include the driver of the truck, the trucking company and/or the vehicle manufacturer. Complex legal issues may also arise if a responsible party is from outside of the state. There are also different sets of laws and regulations that apply to truck drivers and semi truck drivers.
If you are injured in a truck accident, it is vital that you seek medical attention for your injuries immediately. It is important to receive medical attention and care for your injuries while your case is pending.
It is also important that you document the circumstances of the accident. If possible, you should take pictures of the damage to the car or cars involved, the truck, as well as the surrounding area and road. It is also important to get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of any person that witnessed the accident. You should also ensure your car is repaired correctly, and should get a second opinion on what repairs need to be made to the car.
People involved in truck accidents may be eligible for compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering. If the injury is disabling, the person may also be eligible for Social Security Disability. If a truck accident was fatal, loved ones may be able for file a suit for wrongful death.
A spouse or parent of a seriously injured victim may also have a claim against the party liable for the accident. In certain circumstances, a spouse may have a claim for Loss of Consortium, in which the non-injured spouse brings a claim for loss of the normal marital relationship. A parent of a seriously injured child may have a Filial Consortium claim for loss of the child’s companionship, love and affection.
If you were injured in a truck accident, it is important that you consult with a truck accident attorney to determine if you have a claim and who is responsible for your injuries. At The Coye Law Firm, our experienced truck accident lawyers will assess your situation and determine if you have a claim, and who you have a claim against. The Coye Law Firm has offices in Orlando, Clermont, Kissimmee and Melbourne, and can handle Truck Accident cases from around the state of Florida.
If you have been injured in a truck accident, or a loved one has been killed in a truck accident, call the experienced attorneys at The Coye Law firm to determine if you have a case. Call Today.
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