Florida
Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog

Hopefully, you will never be in an accident with your truck. If you are in a truck accident, however, you want to have the resources on hand to help anyone who is injured and the resources to help yourself legally. Here is what you need in your accident and emergency kit.

1) Pen, paper, and camera. Soon after the accident, you will want to begin documenting the accident. You will want to exchange information with any other driver involved and will want to gather the names and contact information of any witnesses. Taking pictures of the scene can also help your attorney make a claim for you if your case goes to court. Even an inexpensive disposable camera can help you capture information that can be important when you are negotiating with insurance carriers.

2) Flares and lights. If your trucking accident takes place at night, flares can help alert other drivers of obstacles on the road while a flashlight or other light can help you evaluate your situation more effectively.

3) First aid kit and blankets. Trucking accidents can cause serious personal injury, including head injuries and serious permanent disability. A first aid kit can help people at the accident scene and can even save lives. It is especially helpful if you familiarize yourself with your kit before placing it in the truck. Knowing how to use a first aid kit will help you in an emergency. In addition to your kit, be sure to stow blankets in your truck. These are important if someone at the accident scene is in shock. Blankets are also useful if you are in an accident or your truck breaks down in cold weather.

4) Documentation. Keep your insurance information, copies of your ID, and the name of a personal injury attorney you trust in your truck. If you are in a truck accident, you don’t want to be looking for important phone numbers or papers.

5) Food and water. In bad weather or in the dark, it can take tow trucks or personnel some time to find you. If your truck breaks down in bad weather, especially, it can take some time to get help. Having food and water on hand can ensure that you can stay comfortable as you wait.

About a hundred fatalities result each week from trucking accidents across the country. Many more people are injured or face long-term brain injuries, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other serious personal injuries as a result of trucking accidents. Some trucking accidents are caused by the drivers of passenger vehicles, but many experts note that when truck drivers are liable for an accident, there are often deeper reasons and causes at work.

Most commercial truck drivers are hired by companies. These companies often see drivers as a means to a profit. The more products are ferried from one location to another in a shorter period of time, the more money the company stands to make. The more costs are put into trucking – to hire union drivers, for example, or to hire more drivers – the more these costs cut into profitability.

Some experts accuse some companies of cutting corners and putting all drivers at risk. Investigations have revealed that some companies do not screen drivers carefully and do not maintain trucks to keep them in good condition. Some companies hire too few drivers and put in place incentives to encourage drivers to drive too fast and too long to make deadlines. This can encourage unsafe trucking practices that lead to trucking accidents.

Companies requiring interstate trucking services do not need to pay drivers overtime in order to adhere to the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, because the act does not cover trucking between states. As a result, many companies hire one driver to work 60 hours a week rather than hire more drivers. This can be dangerous when the driver is behind the wheel for too long and becomes exhausted and clumsy.

Many companies pay their drivers by the mile or the load. This means that drivers are pushes to work long and quickly. This can encourage drivers to take short cuts or to speed, since they are not paid for unloading, loading, or waiting. By not giving truckers an hourly wage – and therefore paying them more – companies sometimes compel drivers to work dangerously long hours or to cut corners in order to make a living wage.

Trucks are large vehicles and often take up a great deal of room. As a result, they can block your view of the road and upcoming dangers, and this can make it harder for you to avoid an accident. Trucking accidents can lead to serious personal injuries and even fatalities, so you will want to improve your visibility in order to stay safer. Here’s how:

1) Stay back. Give trucks extra room. Tailgating trucks is extremely dangerous, since you will not have enough time to stop if the truck brakes suddenly. If a truck is following too close behind you, the truck may not have time to stop if you have to brake suddenly. Keep in mind, too, that if you are behind a truck, you may not be able to see obstacles ahead. Give yourself plenty of room so that you can anticipate and see problems.

2) Avoid passing a truck if you’re not sure what’s ahead. If you can’t see what’s around a truck, don’t pass unless you are sure you know what’s ahead. If a truck stops and you want to pass, for example, you could cause a pedestrian accident if the truck has stopped for a pedestrian and you charge ahead, not seeing the person crossing the road.

3) Use extra caution at night and in poor weather. When visibility is already poor, trucks can block your view to a dangerous extent. In addition, in poor weather conditions, trucks may have a harder time stopping. Giving yourself extra room can help you in these conditions.

4) Be wary of truck lights at night. Since trucks are higher, their headlights may shine directly into your eyes, making it hard to see. Try driving in another lane or pull over until a truck passes so that you can see properly.

5) Slow down and drop back in dangerous conditions where you need greater visibility. If you are passing through a construction zone or a school zone, for example, poor visibility caused by trucks can be deadly. A pedestrian can easily emerge seemingly out of no where. Stay well back so that your visibility stays good.

Truck accidents cause serious personal injuries, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, and permanent disabilities each year. Since trucks are so much larger than passenger cars, collisions involving trucks and smaller vehicles can and do often lead to fatalities. If you drive a truck, however, there are many things you can do to help prevent trucking accidents:

1) Take refresher courses. Many truck drivers only take driver education classes when getting their trucking license. However, additional and refresher courses can help correct bad habits, can strengthen your driving skills, and can ensure that you get a professional’s feedback about your driving. This can make you a far safer and more effective driver.

2) Take an extra level of driver licensing than you need. If you are driving a small pickup truck, for example, consider getting a license for light commercial vehicles. Getting extra licensing gives you more options, but more importantly, it also makes you safer and more effective with smaller vehicles as well. It makes you more confident behind the wheel and teaches you skills you can apply in your driving.

3) Learn to drive different trucks. Different trucks require different skills, but many trucks require the same attention to loads and hill grades. Learning to drive different models of trucks will boost your confidence and will allow you to become a better driver as well.

4) Try different roads. Even if you tend to drive the same streets again and again on your commute to work, consider driving your truck on different types of roads. You may find that driving on city roads is very different than driving on twisting country roads. Becoming familiar with the way your truck handles in different roads is an important step to becoming a good driver.

5) Drive with and without loads on quiet streets. Different loads can affect how your truck handles. Learn how to effectively and safely load your truck, distribute the weight of a load, and secure the load of your truck. Experiment with different loads on quiet streets until you get used to handling your truck in these conditions.

If you have been in a trucking accident, you may have lost a loved one, sustained property damage or have sustained an injury such as a burn injury, head injury, spinal cord injury, or amputation. You will likely need help negotiating with insurance providers and getting a settlement that will help pay your medical bills, lost income, and other expenses. The right attorney can be invaluable, and to find a qualified Florida personal injury attorney, make sure that you:

1) Find an attorney experienced in handling trucking accident cases. A good attorney will be happy to tell you about past trucking accident cases and the settlements he or she was able to help people secure. Look for an attorney who has experience with similar cases as yours, as this ensures that the attorney is experienced enough to help you.

2) Find an attorney with good investigating teams. In a trucking accident case, your attorney will have to investigate all the possible causes of the accident to determine who is liable for the accident. Therefore, you will want an attorney who is skilled at investigating cases.

3) Look for attorneys who come highly recommended. Ask your attorney to provide you with testimonials or references from previous clients who were happy about the service they received with the law firm. Or, ask your friends and family to recommend a good personal injury attorney.

4) Look for an attorney you trust. Find a Florida personal injury attorney who offers a free initial consultation. This can be a good way to see whether you feel comfortable with an attorney and whether you get along with your attorney. Find an attorney you feel comfortable with, since you will need to trust your attorney with personal information and facts.

5) Understand what an attorney can do for you. A qualified Florida personal injury attorney can represent you if you have sustained an injury or loss as a result of a trucking accident. Even if you do not want to sue or go to court, an attorney can investigate the causes of a trucking accident and can negotiate with insurance providers on your behalf. Your attorney can also ensure that you get a fair settlement that covers all your medical and incidental costs.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, American roads were the site of over 350,000 crashes involving commercial trucks in 2007 alone. Truck accidents tend to occur on highways, where many trucks drive, and where speed is often a factor as well. Speed, combined with the large size of most commercial trucks, ensures that most truck collisions result in tragedy. Many trucking accidents result in spinal cord injuries, loss of life, amputations, broken bones, burn injuries, brain injuries, and other serious injuries and damages.

Being in a truck accident is far more deadly than being in a car accident. While two cars tend to be fairly well matched and tend to weigh only about 3000 pounds, a fully loaded commercial truck can weigh over 80,000 pounds. In an accident, such a truck can completely crush a passenger vehicle and everyone in it. While the truck driver is often somewhat protected in the cab, simply because he or she is elevated and in a larger vehicle, those in a passenger vehicle have very limited protection against such a massive force.

According to The National Transportation Safety Board, the major causes of trucking accidents tend to be poor driver training, driver fatigue, and speeding. In addition, overloaded or oversized trucks, poor weather conditions, mechanical failure, defective parts, and driver inexperience contribute to many truck accidents. Finally, some truck accidents occur due to reckless driving. Drivers may not give right of way, may drive aggressively, or may even be driving under the influence.

The way some companies are structured can contribute to truck accidents. Some companies, for example, do not carefully screen their drivers or do not take proper care of their fleet of trucks. Some companies pressure drivers to overload trucks or to make very challenging deadlines, which can push drivers to speed or to take stimulants in order to stay awake.

In some cases, poor driving on the part of passenger vehicles contributes to trucking accidents. Some cars do not take precautions when passing or following trucks. Some drivers, for example, do not take pains to ensure that truck drivers can see them at all times. Since trucks have more blind spots, it becomes important to use extra caution around them. Some drivers also do not give trucks additional space, especially on hills.

Being aware of the major causes of trucking accident can help you avoid these accidents. Using extra caution and watching for danger signs can help you keep back and can help you avoid a serious accident.

Research has shown that experienced drivers are less likely to be involved in accidents. Experienced drivers are simply better able to anticipate certain driving situations and better know how to react to avoid collisions. As a result, experienced drivers and their passengers are less likely to be trucking accidents and are less likely to sustain serious injuries, such as burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, and other injuries.

One of the best things you can do as a truck driver is to get additional training in order to become more familiar with your truck and the roads. There are many ways to get additional training. Many dealerships and car manufacturers offer training and driving courses. Local driving schools and truck driving institutes offer partial or refresher courses for drivers who are already licensed. Some licensed driving instructors also offer private lessons. For a small hourly fee, these instructors will drive with you in your truck and offer you additional tips and help.

Getting additional training can make you safer on the road and may also qualify you for lower insurance rates in your area. Call your insurance company to find out whether you can save money by getting additional truck training. You may find that the cost of your additional training is covered or nearly covered by your savings on insurance.

There are specific situations in which you should seek out additional training. If you have just moved to a new area with a different climate, for example, you will want to get additional driver training if you drive a truck. If you are new to winter driving, for example, you will want to take additional training. Driving even a pickup truck on snowy roads is dangerous if you are not familiar with those conditions. Even a new, hilly area can be a challenge until you learn how to respond appropriately.

If you have been in a serious accident you might also want to consider additional training to bolster your confidence and skill level. Timidity behind the wheel can be dangerous, so if you find yourself nervous in your truck after a trucking accident, consider some additional training. Additional training can also help you address some of the issues and habits that may have led to your accident in the first place.

If you have a new truck or have a truck for the first time. If you are just starting to drive a truck or have purchased a new truck that is significantly different from you last model, training will help you get comfortable behind the wheel and will teach you how to react appropriately in your new vehicle. You don’t want to wait until you are in a challenging situation on the road to learn how to handle your truck.

According to The National Transportation Safety Board, driver inexperience, poor driver training, poor driver choices (like speeding) and driver fatigue are major causes of trucking accidents. Unfortunately, when you are sitting behind a truck driver on the highway, you may not always know which drivers are dangerous and which are responsible and safe. If you want avoid truck accidents and the personal injuries they cause, look for these red flag signs of poor driving in trucks:

1) Abusive language. If a truck driver is yelling outside his window at passers-by or other drivers, he or she may be in the throes of road rage or may be simply an aggressive driver. In either case, by focusing on abusive language and not on the road, this type of driver is extremely dangerous.

2) Extra activity in the cab. Truck drivers who have too many cab passengers or who are eating, texting, talking on the cell phone or doing something else while driving do not have their full attention on the road. This means that they may not have time to react to avoid an accident. It may also mean that they are not aware of everyone and every car around them.

3) Reckless driving. If you see someone in a truck driving recklessly, the driver may have poor driving skills, may be too angry or emotional to drive, or may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In either event, the driver is not safe.

4) Mistakes made. If a truck driver is making mistakes on the road – such as driving on the wrong side of the road or not signalling passes – he or she may be driving under the influence or may be so fatigued that he or she is making careless mistakes. The driver may also be too inexperienced or too under-trained to drive well. Unfortunately, one mistake is all it takes to cause a serious accident.

5) The truck shudders or lists to one side unnaturally. If a truck seems to be tilting, shuddering, or otherwise proceeding strangely, it may be overburdened or may not have its load correctly secured. If the truck’s load comes loose, it can crash into cars and cause serious injury. A truck that is over its weight limit can also rollover or cause a serious accident.

If you see a truck driving unsafely, trust your instincts. Pull over, give the truck extra room, fall back, and generally get out of the way. If you believe that a truck driver may be driving unsafely to the extent that he or she is a danger or if you believe that a truck driving is driving under the influence, call local authorities to report the problem.

Each year across the country, more than 1.1 million Americans need medical help for burn injuries. About 4500 victims die directly as a result of their burn injuries and another 10 000 die from complications caused by their injuries. Burn injuries can be caused by anything from hot water to a fire, but many burn injuries are also caused by trucking accidents.

Many commercial trucks are used to carry flammable substances and chemicals. Some trucks on the road even carry fuels. These large trucks contain large amounts of fuel or flammable substances. If a truck carrying such dangerous cargo is in a car accident, the resulting collision can cause the fuel or flammable substances to leak, explode, or catch on fire. Any driver or pedestrian in the near vicinity can experience severe burn injuries as a result.

Trucking accident burn injuries are especially dangerous because the size of the truck and the impact of the collision can cause very hot fires and explosions that can cause damage over a wide area. Worse, trucks carrying flammable substances usually carry large amounts of these chemicals. If these trucks are in a collision, the large amount of fuel can feed a fire, causing it to burn very hot and to grow quickly out of control. Fatalities caused by truck accident burn injuries are very common as a result.

In addition, trucking accidents often cause additional injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, head injuries, and other serious injuries. When combined with burn injuries, these additional injuries may be very slow in healing. In fact, complications can easily result when burn injuries are sustained at the same time as other injuries. This can make treatment very challenging and can increase the likelihood of infection, heart failure, and other problems.

Burn injuries caused by trucking accidents are often devastating. In addition to facial scars that can leave victims withdrawn and unable to resume normal social activities, serious burn injuries – such as those caused by trucking accidents – are often extremely painful. If the injury has penetrated the outer layers of skin and has damaged tissues and muscles, patients may be unable to walk or move normally. Treatment may require months or even years of physiotherapy and surgery.

Drivers and companies who own trucks have a legal responsibility to keep their trucks safe. They must adhere to safety standards, maintain trucks correctly, operate the trucks responsibly, and not overload the trucks. Unfortunately, not all drivers and companies are careful with trucks. If you or a loved one has sustained an injury as a result of a trucking accident, it’s important to seek help from a qualified Florida personal injury attorney. A good Florida attorney can help ensure that you have all the resources available to you by law so that you can focus on healing.

Many motorists eventually decide to buy a truck. Many people enjoy the idea of being able to carry more items and some drivers assume that trucks are safer. If you want to buy a truck, however, you should consider more than the make, price, and color of your new vehicle. You also want to ensure that your new vehicle is safe and can be safely operated by you. Here’s how:

1) Learn about truck manufacturers and their safety records. Before purchasing a truck, read magazines, truck reviews, and publications such as Consumer Reports to find out about the safety standards and reputations of any trucks you are interested in. Look for trucks and manufacturers that get good grades in safety from independent testers. Also, keep in mind that different models from the same manufacturer may have different safety ratings. Look for the safest models.

2) Get licensed for trucks. Even if you are buying a small truck that does not require additional licensing, it is a good idea to get some additional classes and licensing in a larger vehicle than you will be getting. Trucks – even smaller ones – do handle differently than sedans or economy-sized passenger cars. The more training you have with larger vehicles, the safer you will be behind the wheel of your new truck.

3) Practice driving in trucks. The more you can practice, the safer you will be. Try renting a truck, driving a friend’s truck or arranging for a few lessons. The more you know, the safer you will be.

4) Start practicing good habits. Texting or talking on the phone while driving causes many car accidents each year, and these accidents lead to fatalities and serious personal injuries, such as brain injuries, broken bones, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other serious injuries. When you get your new truck, practice safe driving by keeping mobile devices off.

5) Take good care of your truck. In a trucking accident, the sheer size of a truck can mean more fatalities, injuries, and damage. Therefore, sign up to receive information from the dealership. If you get notice of a recall that affects your truck, get the issue fixed right away. Find a mechanic who is experienced with your model of truck and ensure that you get adequate tests and maintenance on your new vehicle.

If you drive a truck, you may at some point wish to add a trailer to your vehicle to transport additional items. While trailers are very handy, they can also be dangerous. Using trailers incorrectly can cause a truck accident which can result in head injuries, spinal cord injuries, other serious personal injuries, and even fatalities. Here’s how to use trailers correctly:

1) Hitch the trailers to your truck correctly. Read the manuals included with your trailer and ask for help if you need it. Make sure that the lighting connector is properly installed and make sure that the lights work correctly on the trailer. Use safety chains for added security.

2) Before you use the trailer, inspect the trailer and truck. Before each use, check that the wheel bearings are properly lubricated and the tires are in good condition. Make sure that if your trailer has brakes, they are working correctly. Trailers can sustain more stress on the road because they are pulled along, so check each time to make sure the trailer is in good condition.

3) Load your trailer correctly. Always lock the brakes before beginning to load the trailer and make sure that the trailer is on a level surface to ensure that weight is properly distributed. Use binders or tie downs to secure items securely to the trailer. You don’t want things shifting or flying out of the trailer while you are on the road. When you take a break while driving, you might want to check your binders or tie downs again. If your load has shifted, you may need to adjust them to account for that. When loading your trailer, make sure that you put about 60% of the weight near the front of the trailer. If you have too little weight in front, your trailer may fishtail and pose a danger to other drivers. If you have too much in front you may have a hard time maintaining steering control. Understand the gross vehicle weight and towing capacities and ensure that you do not overload the trailer.

4) Clean your trailer and decks regularly. Keep in mind that trailers do not have to be in motion for an accident to take place. A slippery surface on the trailer or deck can lead to a slip and fall accident, so stay safe when loading and unloading your trailer.
.
5) When on hills, use the same speed and gear both up and down the hill. Maintain a steady speed and pace and try to brake suddenly, as this can cause your trailer to fishtail. If you will be driving in very hilly areas, consider practicing on a few small hills first to build your confidence.

Most farms rely on trucks for farm work and for transporting goods. However, trucking accidents on farms are a common cause of brain injuries, fatalities, and other serious personal injuries. Trucks can easily rollover or collide with other farm machinery. The uneven ground on most farm lands can make collisions especially dangerous. There are several things you can do to help prevent farm truck accidents:

1) Use extra caution on hills. If you are driving a truck on a hilly far, travel up and down hills or along the top of hills rather than traversing the hilly area. Be especially cautious if your truck is heavily loaded – objects may shift on a hill, causing the truck to become front or back heavy.

2) Inspect your truck regularly. If you are driving your truck on muddy back roads, unpaved roads, and over fields, your truck may need more frequent maintenance to keep things safe. Do not scrimp on inspections and maintenance.

3) Be careful of blind spots. You may worry less about blind spots because there is less traffic in rural areas, but you can still be in a terrible collision if you run into another person, a piece of farm equipment, or a building. Be especially careful if you are driving in an area where animals or people are near or on the road.

4) Have backup alarms installed on your truck or indicate you are backing up by tooting your horn. This is especially important if you are not the road. People and animals may be milling near the truck and may not be aware that you intend to back up.

5) Understand what you are carrying. If you have livestock in your truck, the animals may move, especially during turns. They may crowd into one side of the truck, creating an imbalance of weight. Try to compensate for this. If your truck is filled with liquids, they may slosh around. If your truck is tall, be sure to consider overhead power lines and trees as you drive.

6) Load your truck safely. Use a good loading ramp to load your truck and make sure that you use wheel chocks before your start loading the vehicle. This will prevent the truck from moving. When loading the truck, keep in mind the total weight the truck can bear. Overloading a truck can cause the vehicle to lose control and can put additional stress on brakes and other truck systems.

Many people rent trucks for moves, small jobs around the house, and even vacations. Unfortunately, rental truck accidents are serious and can cause fatalities, serious brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and other serious injuries. Some accidents involving rental trucks occur due to mechanical failure, but many experts also note that many rental truck accidents occur because drivers renting these trucks do not always know how to handle the vehicles safely. Professional truck drivers get specialized training and licensing, but many rental companies rent trucks – even very large trucks capable of hauling many tons – to people who only have a regular driver’s license. If you don’t have experience with trucks but want to rent one, consider these tips for a safer experience:

1) Consider hiring a driver as well as a truck. If you need to move a heavy load, it is often much safer to hire a professional driver who is licensed for trucks. Often, it costs only a little bit more to rent a truck and driver than to rent a truck itself. It is, however, much safer. A professional driver experienced with trucks knows how these vehicles perform and is better prepared to avoid accidents.

2) If you need to rent a truck, get training before you drive. If hiring a driver is not an option for you, at least consider getting some training before you drive the truck. A local school or instructor may be willing to even offer a few lessons so that you can master the basics of driving a truck safely.

3) Carefully consider the truck you rent. Get the smallest truck you need for your purposes. The larger the truck, the harder it may be to handle. At the same time, make sure that the truck is large enough for the weight you want to carry. Overloading a truck is dangerous.

4) Insist that the truck rental company show you all the features of the truck before you leave the lot. Have someone from the rental company drive around the block with you in the truck and show you all the features and how everything works. Do not sign the lease agreement or leave the lot with the truck unless you are comfortable with the vehicle.

5) Drive with a friend – preferably someone who knows trucks well. A friend can be an extra set of eyes in the truck and can help you back up or check your blind spots. A friend who knows about trucks may also make you feel more confident behind the wheel.

6) Get the truck checked out before you drive it. Before your move or project, take the truck to a mechanic for a quick check. Not all rental companies are as scrupulous as they should be when it comes to checking the mechanical soundness of their vehicles. You want to make sure that the truck is road-worthy before you drive it.