Trucking Accidents

Semi-trucks

Trucks are large and powerful vehicles that are extremely useful when it comes to transporting materials from one place to another. However, they greatly increase danger on our Florida roads. Their size and weight alone put all other motorists and sometimes even pedestrians at great risk of injury if involved in a collision with a truck, and the variety of ways in which a person can be injured is unfortunate and sometimes catastrophic.

Short cuts on safety can cause injuries and even death. If trucks are not maintained properly, they may experience engine problems, brake failure or other mechanical malfunctions. Brake lights and reflectors must be inspected regularly to make sure that other drivers are not put in danger. Another driver’s failure to see a large truck at night could result in either a rear collision or an under-ride collision in which a passenger vehicle becomes wedged underneath the truck and is dragged by the truck, sometimes for quite a distance, before a tired truck driver even notices.

Truck drivers must abide by the rules and regulations that govern their industry. By not doing so, they are putting not only their own well-being at risk, but also the lives of everyone sharing the road with them. Under national guidelines, truck drivers are not allowed to drive for more than 11 hours straight, and must take daily 10-hour breaks. Unfortunately, many truck drivers in order to increase their incomes by delivering their loads more quickly and take on more delivery jobs, choose to drive longer than the allowed time frame. To achieve this, drivers sometimes utilize over-the-counter stimulants to keep themselves alert and awake. However, once the stimulants wear off and even while under the influence of said stimulants, truck drivers are more of a hazard on the road than anything else. Factor in sleep deprivation, and you have a recipe for disaster where driver negligence can lead to truck accidents of deadly proportion.

Commercial vehicles

Larger insurance policies associated with commercial vehicles can make a significant difference in the size of the cash settlements. Personal auto policy limits are sometimes as low as Florida law will allow. However a commercial vehicle, such as a company van, pick-up or tow truck usually carries a policy that contains higher limits and you can be fairly and fully compensated when the at-fault driver is inattentive or impaired.

If you have been involved in any kind of a trucking accident, you need to retain a law firm that specializes in such accidents to get the best result for you and your loved ones. Hayworth & Chaney, PA has over 50 years of experience in working trucking cases from both the plaintiff’s side and insurance defense. Please contact us at 877-727-0502 any time for a free consultation.