Truck Accident
Overview
Whether you call it a tractor trailer, 18 wheeler, big rig, and/or a semi truck, we know the type of destruction a large vehicle may cause. These 18-wheel trucks travel our highways with incredible speed. When a tractor trailer driver loses control of his/her vehicle, the tractor trailer become an 80,000-pound missile wreaking havoc on anything within its path. Sometimes, a business may entrust an ill, tired, distracted, or impaired truck driver to haul its cargo. It seems like every time an 18-wheel truck transports cargo, someone’s life may be at risk. A tractor trailer accident can happen even when every other driver is making careful and undistracted movements.
Similarly, take that same 80,000 pound 18-wheel truck, add a dangerous and/or distracted driver, and make the truck overweight on its freight, nearing its delivery deadline, subjected to dangerous road conditions, and/or hazardous material and its easy to see why Florida has so many tractor trailer accidents. Even the presence of just one of the above-mentioned conditions may greatly increase the risk for a catastrophic tractor trailer accident. The above-mentioned driver, roadway, and transport conditions are not an exaggeration and similar factors may cause numerous fatalities on our Florida roadways.
Common Causes Of Truck Accidents
Distracted Driving
- Distracted driving
- Texting and driving
- Talking on the phone while driving
Driver Error
- Unbalanced loads
- Unfamiliar with the roadway
- Unfamiliar with the truck
Driving Infractions
- Illegal lane driving
- Illegal lane change
- Riding in breakdown lane
Speeding
- Speeding
- Excessive speeding
Illegal Loads
- Heavy loads
- Uneven loads
- Oversized loads
Ill, Tired, or Impaired
- Drowsy
- Asleep at the wheel
- Ill
- Tired
- Impaired
- Heart Attack
- Stroke
Mechanical Issue
- Mechanical issue
- Tire Blowout
- Snapped Axel
- Engine Failure
- Brake Light Out
- Failed Brakes
Reckless or Negligent Driver
- Negligent driver
- Reckless driving
- Tailgating
Commercial Driver Licencing
Truck drivers are required to pass a driver test and maintain a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL). Our states have enacted laws that require strict commercial driver requirements to ensure driver safety on Florida roadways. As discussed above, semi-trucks, tractor trailers, and 18-wheelers, can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. Tractor trailers weigh over 15 times more than the weight of our heaviest consumer vehicles. Additionally, the larger the truck, the more dangerous. Larger blind spots, more gallons of gasoline in fuel tanks, and top heavy loads, can cause destruction on a massive scale. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) estimates that 31 percent of trucking accidents are caused by driver related factors.
Driver Employment
After an accident involving a tractor trailer, you should always request the truck driver’s employment or driving file, which will include:
- Hazmat documents
- Truck driving training documents
- Drug testing records
- Annual review of the driver’s history
- Road test certification
- Pre-employment motor vehicle record
- Annual motor vehicle record
- Driver’s employment history
- Driver’s certification of prior traffic violations
- Driver’s certification of prior accidents
- CDL
- Driver’s employment application
Common Injuries Sustained From Truck Accidents
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Broken Neck
- Paralysis
- Chest/Rib Injuries
- Crushed Larynx/Trachea
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Whiplash
- Muscle Sprains/Strains
- Soft Tissue
- Scrapes/Cuts/Bruises
- Broken Bones & Fractures
- Jaw Injuries/Loss of Teeth
- Pelvic Injuries
Commercial Driver Licencing
If you have been involved in a tractor trailer accident in the State of Florida, you may be entitled to damages, including:
- Emotional distress
- Funeral costs
- Future medical expenses
- Lost companionship
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Past medical expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
In the event of an accident, what should I request from a truck driver?
- Driver’s permits to carry freight
- Licenses
- Driver’s bill of lading for all shipments transported the day of the accident and for 30 days before the accident
- The driver’s daily logs for the day of the accident and 30 days prior
- The truck and trailer inspection report for the day of the accident and 30 days prior
Truck drivers and trucking companies carry large insurance policies for a reason. Florida law requires trucking companies to maintain a large commercial insurance policy because it knows of the destruction that a tractor trailer accident can cause. Additionally, a truck driver’s employer may be held vicariously liable for your injuries.
What other questions should I ask after a truck accident?
- What were the test results of the driver’s post-accident drug and alcohol test
- Lease agreements or contracts for the driver, tractor, and/or trailer involved in the accident
- Documents of the driver, tractor, and/or trailer involved in the accident, such as weight tickets, hotel bills, fuel receipts, expense records, etc.
New & Resources
Trucks That Cause The Most Accidents | Forbes | https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimgorzelany/2018/01/03/which-cars-and-trucks-cause-the-most-injuries-in-a-crash/#fc1e22b10ce9