The Florida Truck and Tractor Trailer Accident Attorneys of Parker Waichman Alonso LLP are here to Help You
If you have been injured in a Florida truck accident, you need an experienced lawyer on your side to protect your rights. We offer free consultations to victims of Florida truck accidents and their families. Our Florida truck accident lawyers have seen the devastating results of these tragedies, and their experience has helped many people rebuild their lives.
Large trucks – including tractor trailers – with a gross weight more than 10,000 pounds account for a disproportionately large share of traffic deaths based on miles traveled. These big rigs injure thousands every year. The injuries sustained by victims of truck accidents can be far more extensive and devastating than what usually occurs in other motor vehicle accidents. And quite often, truck accidents are the direct result of negligence or recklessness on the part of the driver or trucking company.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a Florida truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation. While no amount of money can make up for what has happened to you, a fair settlement can give you the financial piece of mind you need to get your life back on track. We urge you to contact one of our experienced Florida truck accident lawyers today to protect your legal rights.
Causes of Florida Truck Accidents
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Service Administration, in 2004 there were:
- 4,862 large trucks involved in motor vehicle accidents
- 5,190 fatalities
- 134,052 non-fatal crashes
- 62,896 injury crashes
- 91,406 injuries
Twelve percent of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. are the result of truck accidents. Tractor trailer truck accidents are especially dangerous. In such truck accidents, an alarming 98 percent of the time, the passengers or driver in the other vehicle is killed as opposed to people in the truck. According to USDOT, Florida had 4,432 fatal traffic accidents in 2003, with 343 of them involving trucks.
Often, truck accidents are the result of negligence or recklessness on the part of truck drivers or trucking companies. Driver fatigue is a huge factor in truck and tractor trailer accidents. Studies show that drivers are more likely to crash after many long hours of driving.
The USDOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration implemented new rules in 2003 to combat this problem, even though hundreds of trucking industry lobbyists worked to block them. Unfortunately, surveys reveal that many drivers of large trucks violated the old regulations on hours of service. Considering the economic pressures that tractor trailer drivers are under, it can be assumed that the new rules are also often ignored.
Trucking companies have been known to overlook safety in the name of profit. Often drivers are not adequately trained to handle these big rigs, and make driving errors that have devastating consequences for other people on the road. Trucks and tractor trailers are not always well maintained, and drivers often ignore speed limits in order to meet unrealistically tight delivery deadlines. Finally, the use of illicit substances – especially stimulants to help drivers stay awake – have played a role in many truck accidents.
Florida Truck Accident Claims
Our Florida truck accident lawyers are committed to making sure all of the financial needs of our clients are met. The injured victims of truck and tractor trailer accidents might never be able to work again, and in the case where a fatality occurs, the family of a victim is often left without an important means of financial support. Medical bills and other expenses can add up quickly, leaving victims and their families on the verge of bankruptcy.
While victims of truck accidents may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage and pain and suffering, trucking companies and their insurance carriers are never eager to pay claims. They may claim that their tractor trailer driver was not at fault. Trucking companies will gladly pay “expert” witnesses to take their side in court. They use huge teams of lawyers to push trucking accident victims into accepting lower settlements than they deserve.
Truck accident claims can be very complicated for victims and their families to navigate. Several different insurance policies carried by both the driver and the trucking firm might be involved. Even the owner of the freight being carried by the truck might maintain a separate liability policy. This can create a problem if each insurance carrier is insisting that another is responsible for paying your claim. Sometimes, it takes the threat of legal action to convince insurers to stop stalling on claims.
The tactics used by trucking companies, their insurers and their lawyers can overwhelm victims, and it is easy to see why many might be tempted to accept a small settlement offer, rather than go to court. Our Florida truck accident lawyers know this is a mistake, and we will not be intimidated by trucking companies into doing anything not in the best interest of our clients.
Legal Help for Victims of Florida Truck Accidents
Our Florida truck accident lawyers have helped hundreds of victims and their families recover after a collision with a truck or big rig. If you have been injured in a truck accident caused by the negligence of a driver or trucking company, we will work hard to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a Florida truck accident, you have valuable legal rights. Please fill out our online form, or call 1 800 LAW INFO (1-800-529-4636) to discuss your case with one of the experienced Florida truck accident lawyers at our firm.