When you see the damages that result from two cars that have collided into each other, you might notice the broken glass and pieces of aluminum or steel strewn along the ground. You might drive by and hope that no one got seriously injured.
However, when you drive by an accident that involves a car and a large truck, you might come away stunned, as the injuries and damage caused to a car driver and their vehicle typically are much more severe after getting smashed by a truck going full speed.
Accidents with trucks—especially large commercial vehicles—can produce serious injuries with catastrophic effects, including:
- Significant medical bills
- Years of medical treatments
- Lost income from missing work
- Substantial repair bills
- Pain and suffering
- In the most severe crashes, death
If you or a loved one became involved in a vehicle accident with a private or commercial truck, you might want to seek legal assistance. A Jacksonville truck accident lawyer can help. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (844) 430-1030 to speak with a team member about your case. Your first consultation with us is free.
Causes of Truck Accidents
The First Coast, including the city of Jacksonville, receives a lot of truck traffic up and down Interstate 95. The River City is also the eastern terminus for Interstate 10. Having more trucks on the road increases the chances of getting into serious accidents with one.
In 2018, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported that medium and heavy trucks (more than 10,000 pounds) accounted for nearly 38,000 truck accidents statewide. Many of these truck accidents led to severe injuries due to the nature of the collision. When an 8,500-pound vehicle smashes into your small passenger car, it can obliterate your vehicle.
There are numerous reasons why trucks get into accidents with cars, motorcycles, and other road users. Trucks accidents usually result from mechanical fault, human error, human distraction, and technology failures.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found the following reasons that cause many highway truck accidents:
- Severe weather or poor driving conditions
- Obstructed or obscured vision
- Driver distractions (e.g., talking or texting on their cell phone)
- Driver exhaustion from being behind the wheel too long
- Performance pressure for deliveries
- Poor driver tactics
- Speeding
- Driving while intoxicated
In accidents involving large trucks, multiple parties could have liability in a complicated legal claim. Various parties could all seek compensation from the at-fault truck driver, truck manufacturer, or shipping company.
With all these competing factions in the mix, an injured party from the accident cannot realistically expect to become engaged in the legal battle. That’s why you might find it worthwhile to work with a lawyer who knows Florida’s personal injury law involving truck accidents and wrongful death.
A Jacksonville truck accident lawyer can manage all the details involved in a complicated case involving multiple vehicles and a truck. The team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, works on contingency, meaning we only collect a fee if you recover an award in a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Call us today to get started.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Jacksonville, call (844) 430-1030
What to Do After a Truck Accident
When you get hit by a negligent truck driver on the highway or Jacksonville city street, you should remember to do certain things afterward:
- You should first check to see if your injuries need immediate attention in an emergency room. If they do, call an ambulance, or hopefully an eyewitness will do that for you, in case of severe injuries.
- Next, call the police to report the accident. You might find the police report of the crash essential when you file legal action against the liable parties.
- Exchange contact information with the truck driver and note the registration numbers on the side of their haul if transporting cargo. Find out if the driver works independently or for a trucking firm. If they work for a trucking company, get its contact information. This information will prove crucial in an eventual personal injury claim.
- Try to document the crash’s details if you can, both in written form and using your phone’s camera. Take pictures, shoot video, and put together a visual record of how the crash happened, what the circumstances were, and did the truck appear to drive steadily or recklessly. This documentation can help an attorney determine fault for the accident.
Jacksonville Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 430-1030
Truck Accident Liability
In an accident involving multiple cars and a truck, liability may exist with more than one party. Filing a personal injury lawsuit would help identify all the parties you could hold accountable for the accident.
Trucking Company
If the accident happened while the driver was “on the clock” and operating the company vehicle, you could hold the truck company liable for the accident and all related claims based on the legal doctrine of respondeat superior.
In addition, circumstances that could demonstrate the negligence of the trucking company include:
- Failure to inspect and maintain its fleet: Truck companies might skip a few inspections or miss regular maintenance checks as cost-saving measures to keep the truck on the road.
- Pressuring drivers to meet deadlines: A court could hold the truck company accountable if it made drivers work harder and drive faster to meet unreasonable delivery deadlines. The driver’s stress and anxiety might make them violate federal hours of service rules set by the FMCSA.
Truck Manufacturers
If an investigation deems the crash happened because the brakes or steering system failed, you could include the truck manufacturer or parts vendor as one of the liable parties. Other mechanical failures that could lead to inclusion as an at-fault party in a commercial truck accident include tire blowouts or defective hydraulic systems.
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Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, Today for Help
A Jacksonville truck accident lawyer could work to find evidence that proves negligence by a driver, trucking company, or manufacturer, allowing you to collect awards for your medical expenses, lost income, repair bills, and pain and suffering. They can negotiate with insurance adjusters and file a lawsuit within the four-year statute of limitations established by Florida Statutes §95.11.
Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (844) 430-1030 for a free, no-obligation consultation with a team member.
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