Accidents with trucks can be particularly serious due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved
Florida truck accidents have become increasingly more frequent; in fact, nationwide the total amount of truck accidents has increased by 20% throughout the past two decades. Truck accidents can have devastating effects as they typically cause greater damage due to their large size and heavy loads. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported that in the year 2002, 4,897 accident victims perished and 130,000 individuals were injured in truck accidents. A truck accident attorney can help if you have been the victim of a devastating truck accident.
How trucking companies were relieving themselves of responsibility after an accident with a truck
In the past, trucking companies have been able to avoid liability by hiring independent contractors that rent the trucks and their equipment. The company would have a placard with the name of the company listed but when the claimant went to sue, the company would claim that the driver was not their employee, and the truck was rented. Thankfully, federal laws have put an end to these arguments by stating that any company that owns a trucking permit can be held responsible for any accidents where the truck involved had a placard displaying the trucking company’s name.
The different types of accidents with trucks
On today’s roads, some of the most serious damage is caused by truck accidents of all kinds. Large vehicles, due to their sheer size, can cause significant property damage and severe bodily injuries to numerous innocent people. The following are the 8 most frequent sorts of truck accidents:
Jackknifing
Jackknifing is a scary situation that truck drivers hope to never find themselves in. It’s when the cab of the truck is folding at a 90-degree angle against the trailer, and it’s normally caused by excessive braking. The weight of the trailer pulls it into the cab’s traction.
Tire blowout
A tire blowout is when a tire bursts while in use, which often causes the vehicle to veer off course suddenly and uncontrollably. This can be dangerous for the driver as well as anyone else nearby.
Truck rollovers
Truck rollovers can cause innocent motorists injury or death. If a truck driver loses control of their vehicle, it may slide and fall onto its side.
Blind spots
“No Man’s Land”: This term refers to the blind spots on a truck, which can be quite large. When a truck driver cannot see other cars around them while changing lanes, it puts everyone nearby in danger of being hit or forced off the road.
Wide turn
When a truck driver makes a right turn by first steering or “swinging” left, it is called a wide turn. It may entrap vehicles or even pedestrians if the driver is unaware of rear traffic or the right side environment.
Lost load
Freight that is poorly weighted or fastened to a truck can come loose, endangering surrounding motorists as well as multi-car pileups.
Underride
Under-ride accidents are some of the most dangerous trucking accidents. They occur when a smaller vehicle becomes lodged under the trailer of a stopped truck. These accidents can be deadly, so it’s important to be aware of them.
Rear-end
Larger trucks are considered to be a significant threat behind the rear of other vehicles. Because of their weight, massive trucks can cause significant property damage and catastrophic injuries, as well as extra deaths in rear-end trucking accidents.
Most common causes of trucks crashes
There are often a variety of factors that make truck accident cases much more complex than those involving traditional motor vehicles. Understanding the causes can help your truck accident attorney determine how to best craft your case for a successful ruling.
Trucking accident happen most of the time for these reasons:
Driver Fatigue
Drivers have specific rest breaks that must be taken to ensure their safety and the safety of others on the road. When drivers do not adhere to these safety standards, they put others at risk and increase the chances of an accident.
Failures To Secure Cargo
Drivers typically carry large loads that if not secured properly can cause extensive danger to other motorists and result in deadly accidents on freeways and byways.
Truck Manufacturer
Sometimes the accident is a result of faulty manufacturing of the truck’s tires, steering, or other vehicle parts that may be a contributing factor in the accident.
Contact a trucking accident lawyer today if you’ve been injured in a crash- let them handle everything else while you focus on recovering from your injuries
Because of the variety of factors involved in trucking accidents, you will need the help of an experienced Florida lawyer to help get you the best results for your claim. Fill out the contact form on the left, or call us today for a free consultation. We are available 24/7 to discuss the details of your case at 1888-777-3884.