Sharing the road with large commercial trucks is something most drivers cannot avoid, especially along major highways. These trucks are essential for transporting goods, but when accidents happen, they often result in catastrophic injuries for those in smaller vehicles. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident, a seasoned Indian River County injury lawyer from Ullian Trial Law is here to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact Ullian Trial Law for a free initial consultation today.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Florida
Truck drivers are held to high standards, but negligence still plays a role in many serious crashes. Some of the most common causes of commercial truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue: Truckers often work long hours and may push past safe limits, leading to drowsy or impaired driving.
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions: Operating an 80,000-pound vehicle at unsafe speeds greatly increases stopping distance and collision risks.
- Distracted driving: Cell phone use, eating, or adjusting equipment in the cab can take a driver’s focus off the road.
- Improper lane changes: Failing to signal or check large blind spots often results in sideswipe or rollover accidents.
- Following too closely: Tailgating in heavy traffic leaves little room to react when vehicles ahead slow down.
- Improperly secured cargo: Shifting loads can destabilize a truck and cause jackknife or rollover crashes.
- Driving under the influence: Alcohol, prescription drugs, or stimulants sometimes play a role in impaired driving.
- Failure to obey traffic signals: Running red lights or ignoring posted signs creates avoidable dangers.
- Inadequate training: Trucking companies that cut corners on training often put inexperienced drivers behind the wheel of massive vehicles.
- Poor truck maintenance: Worn brakes, defective tires, or faulty steering components can lead to equipment failure and devastating accidents.
Common Types of Commercial Truck Accidents
While every crash is different, certain types of truck accidents occur more often than others. The five most common include:
- Jackknife accidents: When a truck’s trailer swings out at an angle, forming an “L” shape, often due to sudden braking or slick conditions.
- Rear-end collisions: Heavy trucks require much more stopping distance, and rear-end crashes can crush smaller vehicles.
- Rollover accidents: Unbalanced loads, speeding, or sharp turns can cause a truck to overturn, sometimes across multiple lanes.
- Underride accidents: Smaller cars can become trapped beneath the trailer of a truck, often leading to catastrophic or fatal injuries.
- Wide-turn accidents: Trucks making wide right turns can trap vehicles in adjacent lanes, causing serious side-impact collisions.
Trucking Regulations
Commercial trucking is heavily regulated for a reason: safety. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets nationwide standards, while Florida adds its own state-level rules. Some of the most important regulations include:
- Hours of Service (HOS) rules: Drivers are limited in how many hours they can operate without taking required rest breaks.
- Weight and size limits: Trucks must comply with maximum weight restrictions to prevent road wear and dangerous instability.
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements: Trucking companies are required to perform routine inspections to ensure that brakes, tires, and other critical parts are in safe condition.
- Commercial driver licensing (CDL) standards: Truck drivers must pass background checks, medical exams, and skills tests before being licensed.
- Drug and alcohol testing requirements: Mandatory pre-employment and random testing helps keep impaired drivers off the road.
When companies or drivers cut corners and violate these regulations, they not only break the law but also put others at risk. If a crash occurs, these violations can serve as evidence in proving liability.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
After a truck accident, the steps you take can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation. The aftermath is often chaotic, but keeping these important points in mind can help preserve your rights:
- Call 911 immediately: Report the accident to law enforcement and request medical assistance for anyone who is injured.
- Seek medical care: Even if you feel fine, hidden injuries like concussions or internal bleeding may not be obvious right away.
- Document the scene: If possible, take photos of the vehicles, roadway, skid marks, and any visible injuries.
- Gather witness information: Collect names and contact details of anyone who saw what happened.
- Do not speak with the trucking company’s insurer: Insurance adjusters often contact victims quickly, but their goal is to minimize payouts. Always direct them to your attorney.
- Contact a truck accident lawyer: An attorney can move quickly to preserve evidence.
One of the most valuable forms of evidence in truck accident cases is black box data, also known as electronic logging device (ELD) data. This system records critical information, such as speed, braking, hours driven, and GPS location. If retrieved and analyzed promptly, it can help prove whether the driver or trucking company violated safety rules, making it a powerful tool for supporting your claim.
Contact a Florida Truck Accident Lawyer
At Ullian Trial Law, we understand how overwhelming life becomes after a serious truck accident. Our legal team is committed to investigating every detail, from reviewing black box data to examining maintenance records and company policies. We fight tirelessly to hold negligent drivers and trucking companies accountable, because you deserve justice and fair compensation for your injuries. Contact a seasoned truck accident lawyer from Ullian Trial Law for a free consultation today.
