Florida Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog

After a Hollywood truck accident, it is only natural to have questions. One of the most common questions that victims of Hollywood traffic accidents have is “why did this happen?” Searching for answers usually involves working with a Hollywood personal injury attorney, who can hire accident reconstruction experts as well as private investigators and other professionals to determine the cause of an accident. In many cases, a Hollywood truck accident is caused by a few factors:

1) Driver fatigue. Commercial truck drivers must obey certain rules which limit how many hours a truck driver can drive before resting and how much rest a driver must take. However, in many cases these rules are not followed. In some cases, drivers choose to drive further in order to make more money while in other cases drivers are pressured into driving longer hours in order to make delivery deadlines. In some cases, a driver may have a health issue that makes them fall asleep at the wheel. Many studies have shown that driving fatigued can be as dangerous as drunk driving, because response times and focus are impaired in similar ways. When truck drivers fall asleep at the wheel or fail to respond in time, catastrophic Hollywood car accidents are a common result.

2) Distracted driving and driver error. Even when a driver is well-rested, he or she can make mistakes that lead to a tragic accident. Many Hollywood truck accidents, for example, are caused by drivers who decide to tailgate, speed, drive aggressively, or make other errors. In addition, many Hollywood traffic accidents are caused by distracted driving. While commercial truck drivers are not allowed to text and drive, some drivers do fail to follow protocols for avoiding distracted driving.

3) Poor truck maintenance. When truck carriers fail to properly care for trucks, brake failure, tire blowouts, and other mechanical failures are common. Trucks in poor condition may not respond in time to avoid an accident, may suddenly fail, or can otherwise respond in a way that the driver does not expect, making it virtually impossible for the driver to avoid an accident.

4) Load issues. There are weight limits imposed by the Department of Transportation, as well as rules bout securing cargo. However, some companies do overburden their trucks with excessive cargo or fail to property secure cargo. This can cause tire blowouts, rollovers, and other Hollywood truck accidents.

5) Poor hiring practices. Truck carriers should check for drivers with histories of substance abuse, traffic violations, and other problems. When a company hires an unqualified driver, both the company and the driver can be held liable if the driver’s poor driving results in a Hollywood traffic accident.

After a Hollywood truck accident, it is very important to determine the cause of the accident. Determining the cause can help you find all liable parties, and if you have been injured in a truck accident pursuing all liable parties increases your chances of fair compensation. To determine the cause of your accident, it is important to consult with a qualified Hollywood personal injury attorney. Attorneys work with investigative professionals who can help you find the answers you need about your accident.

Continue reading " Causes of Hollywood Trucking Accidents " »

Oil tanker trucks carry oil and in some cases natural gas and other potentially hazardous materials to consumer homes and to businesses. Unfortunately, when these vehicles become involved in Coral Springs truck accidents, the results can be devastating. While any Coral Springs car accident or traffic accident can lead to serious injuries and even fatalities, oil tanker accidents can lead to environmental disaster, wide-spread property damage, and serious injuries and fatalities due the explosive and hazardous nature of the cargo these vehicles carry.

With tanker trucks carrying flammable material such as natural gas and oil, one of the major hazards in a Coral Springs traffic accident is that the cargo will catch fire or explode. Such explosions can cause pieces of truck to be flung over large distances, causing property damage and potentially injuring bystanders. Explosions can also be fatal to passengers, the driver, other motorists, and even emergency responders at the scene.

When a tanker truck catches fire, pressure can build in the tanker until the release valve bursts, which then can cause gas and flames to leap into the air. In some cases, this can cause a very severely negative environmental impact as well, and entire neighborhoods may need to be cleared to keep people safe. The pressure of an exploding oil tanker and subsequent fire can also cause hundreds of thousands of dollars or even millions of dollars in damage to roads and infrastructure, which can make roadways dangerous to other vehicles and can even cause secondary Coral Springs car accidents.

There are many reasons for oil tanker truck accidents. When brake failure occurs, tankers are vulnerable to rollover accidents, due to their top-heavy loads and due to the fact that they have shifting cargo. A rollover Coral Springs truck accident involving a tanker can easily lead to a fire or explosion. Another common cause for these types of accidents involves an oil tanker colliding with another vehicle. The sheer force of the impact can cause a fire.

Many explosions after Coral Springs truck accidents involving tankers are also caused by problems with the truck. Overweight trucks, poor muffler systems that ignite, and poorly maintained fuel tanks can all lead to accidents and explosions. Any truck problem or defect that could cause a Coral Springs truck accident or car accident with another type of vehicle becomes doubly dangerous with an oil tanker, simply due to the dangerous nature of the cargo these vehicles carry.

Owners of oil tankers as well as drivers of these vehicles are responsible for taking all necessary precautions to ensure that cargo is transported safely. When oil tanker drivers take risks, the resulting accidents could affect thousands of lives. In these cases, victims can pursue legal claims to get compensation for their injuries and to pressure truck carriers to adopt safer policies to prevent further accidents.

Continue reading " Oil Tanker Accidents: A Dangerous Type of Coral Springs Truck Accident " »

A Homestead semi-truck accident generally involves a company (the truck carrier) and the powerful insurance companies that protect them. This means that after a Homestead car accident involving a semi-truck, one of the first things that happens is that the truck driver contacts his or her employer to tell them about the accident. The employer then notifies the insurance company, who immediately sends out an attorney and accident reconstructionist to the accident scene. In some cases, these insurance professionals are on the scene before the injury victim even knows who has hit them and before the injury victim has secured medical help. The insurance company steps in immediately to protect its interests and the interests of its client.

In many cases, Homestead personal injury victims do not even seek the help of an attorney after their traffic accident. They assume that insurance will take care of the costs related to their injuries. However, insurance companies are looking for ways to save money and settle claims quickly. As a result, insurance carriers rarely pay out the full amount of a claim cost. Any long-term medical care, especially, may not be fully covered, leaving the victim to pay these expenses out of pocket. For this reason, it is important to consult with a qualified Homestead personal injury attorney as soon as possible after a traffic accident, especially after any accident involving a commercial vehicle, such as a semi.

Even if a Homestead traffic accident victim does consult with a personal injury attorney, by the time the consultation does occur, the defense has been mounting a case and working to protect the interests of the truck carrier and truck driver. There is usually a rehearsed and prepared account of what has happened and in many cases some of the evidence is no longer available to the personal injury attorney. For this reason, it is also important to consult with a truck accident attorney as soon as possible after an accident, so that log books and other evidence can be secured.

Despite these challenges, however, truck accident victims do have some rules and regulations protecting them. Florida laws, for example, allow victims to seek legal claims in Homestead traffic accidents that have been caused by recklessness or negligence. In these cases, victims can get compensation for medical expenses, property damage, lost income, and other costs related to the accident. This compensation can give the victim the financial resources needed to get the help they need to get back on their feet after an accident.

In addition, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations have a number of rules in place to protect the public. These rules govern how many hours tractor trailer truck drivers can drive before resting and dictate how many hours of sleep commercial truck drivers are required to have. In addition, drivers are required to keep log books that keep track of hours driven and rests taken. In a Homestead truck accident case, these logbooks become very important and can help an attorney determine whether a truck driver took unnecessary risks or shortcuts.

Continue reading " Rules Protect You in a Homestead Semi-Truck Accident " »

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has announced a new initiative that will take place at the end of February. The Florida Highway Patrol will target aggressive and dangerous drivers between February 27 and February 29, citing drivers who speed, change lanes unsafely, or tailgate. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, this initiative is taking place because the FHP has found that 88% of Florida traffic collisions are caused by driver error or driver negligence while only 12% are caused by roads, weather, or car defects.

Between February 27 and February 29, the FHP will have a zero tolerance policy towards any unsafe driving. In addition, the organization will work closely with the Florida Trucking Association to educate the public about sharing the road. The FHP hopes that the initiative will raise awareness about aggressive driving and hopes that the initiative will reduce Miami car accidents as well as truck accidents and traffic accidents across the state.

There are many reasons why aggressive driving is such a concern that the Florida Highway Patrol is cracking down on it:

1) Aggressive driving can breed road rage and more aggressive driving. When one driver drives aggressively, it can spark many instances of road rage, as other drivers react to the oppression. This can lead to a chain of events leading to a Miami car accident or truck accident.

2) Aggressive driving is distracted driving. Numerous studies have been done showing that distracted driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving. However, while numerous initiatives have helped show motorists how dangerous Miami drunk driving can be, motorists are still learning about the dangers of distracted driving. When a driver is angry and aggressive behind the wheel, he or she is not focused solely on the road, and this can easily lead to a Miami pedestrian accident or car accident.

3) Aggressive driving can increase the risk of Miami traffic accidents. Motorists who are driving aggressively often make mistakes or take chances which can lead to a Miami car accident or truck accident. Studies have shown that many traffic accidents overall are caused by driver error, and drivers are more likely to make errors when they are distracted or driving aggressively.

If you have been injured in a Miami car accident caused by an aggressive a reckless driver, Florida law does protect you. In these cases, you may be able to recover for the cost of your medical expenses, property damage, lost income, and other costs related to the accident. However, it often takes a qualified Miami personal injury attorney in order to negotiate with your insurance carrier and in order to pursue your claim aggressively, ensuring that you don't have to pay for the cost of someone else's reckless driving out of your own pocket.

Continue reading " Florida Highway Patrol Announcement Aims to Curb Miami Truck Accidents " »

Florida does not keep records about how many trucks carry dangerous cargo, but does keep track of the chemicals and hazardous materials which are permitted on trucks. These include pesticides, explosives, radioactive materials, fertilizers, toxic gases, rocket fuels, and other hazardous products. The federal government has a number of rules in place designed to make the transport of these types of materials safer.

Under federal rules, drivers carrying dangerous materials in their trucks are subject to many rules and such drivers must have special licenses to haul hazardous materials. Drivers are required to post placards on their trucks, indicating the type of materials they are hauling and the hazards they pose. Drivers must also follow certain guidelines to ensure that dangerous cargo is loaded correctly. Drivers must further carry paperwork detailing their cargo. In the event of an accident, this paperwork is meant to help emergency responders assess the danger and order the correct treatment for anyone affected by the accident.

Across the US, there were 2,518 truck accidents involving hazardous cargo in 2010. These resulted in 34 injuries, nine deaths and almost $80 million in damages. That same year, there were 6800 incidents involving hazardous material that occurred specifically when trucks were loaded or unloaded. These types of truck accidents are devastating and can occur in any community, including Hollywood. Trucks are routinely used to transport hazardous materials and chemicals. Any Hollywood car accident involving a truck can involve a truck carrying a dangerous and even unstable substance. If you are in this type of accident, the injuries that you suffer can be especially severe and even life-threatening.

Hollywood truck accidents involving a truck carrying hazardous materials are considered extremely high risk. In many cases, emergency responders cannot get close enough to a truck to determine what type of hazardous material is inside. Federal regulations also do not require trucks carrying less than 119 gallons or 1,000 pounds to have any special signage, so that in some cases there is the risk for a toxic spill but emergency responders have no way of knowing that.

These types of Hollywood truck accidents are also high risk because they can affect a large area. A truck that spills its hazardous cargo could explode, causing flying debris to injure bystanders far away. Spills can also damage the roads or cause noxious fumes that can harm people living in nearby homes. In some cases, they can cause Hollywood burn injuries and other serious injuries. The number of victims in these types of Hollywood traffic accidents can be substantial, since the area affected by the accident can be quite large. A chemical spill involving a dangerous gas, for example, can affect thousands of people living in the area.

Continue reading " Hazardous Spills After Hollywood Car Accidents " »

North Miami Beach truck accidents occur every year, and in most cases the principal parties involved are the truck driver and any other motorist involved in the accident. However, in some cases, by standers are injured in this type of North Miami Beach traffic accident. Due to the force involved in a truck accident, debris can travel some distance from the accident, and can injure bystanders. This can happen in a number of ways. A bystander may be injured while walking by the accident scene, or may sustain a serious injury while trying to help those involved in the accident. Some bystanders are seriously injured or even killed due to truck accidents they were not directly involved in.

If you were injured as a bystander in a North Miami Beach truck accident, it is important to contact a qualified North Miami Beach personal injury attorney right away. These cases can be devastating for the victim, but they can also be frustrating. In many cases, bystanders may not be fully covered by car insurance or property insurance for their injuries. Many bystanders also sustain injuries which are not covered by most insurance carriers. For example, someone who witnesses a serious North Miami Beach traffic accident may need counseling to deal with the emotional trauma. However, many insurance carriers may not cover this type of treatment.

For bystanders injured in truck accidents, these cases can also be quite complicated. For example, there may be multiple liable parties. The bystander may have been standing on public or private property and the injuries may actually have been caused by multiple vehicles. In addition, those at the scene may not have secured a scene for safety adequately. While multiple liable parties can improve the chances that an injured victim will secure a fair recovery for medical costs and other damages, investigating the liable parties and securing the recovery often requires an experienced attorney.

Bystanders may sustain serious injuries that cause lost income and incur significant medical costs. A qualified attorney can help ensure that the bystander does not have to pay all these costs out of pocket. A good attorney can pursue all liable parties and can ensure that an injury victim understands all their rights and options. There are Florida laws which protect injured bystanders, but many people are not aware of them. A qualified North Miami personal injury attorney can help a victim understand their rights and can aggressively pursue available options on behalf of the victim.

Continue reading " When North Miami Beach Truck Accidents Harm Bystanders " »

According to news reports, Joe Amunategui was involved in an early-morning Miami Gardens truck accident when an 18-wheeler hit his car on Northwest 27th Avenue. According to Amunategui, the driver of the truck drove over part of his car and spun his vehicle into a wall. The truck driver then kept going and an officer who was at the scene assisted by calling for emergency personnel. The accident is still under investigation.

Unfortunately, the accident is not an isolated one. Many Miami Gardens car accidents and truck accidents are hit and run accidents, with one driver failing to stop at the scene of a crime. There are many reasons why drivers fail to stop at the scene of a Miami Gardens traffic accident, according to experts. Drivers may be under the influence of drugs or may be engaging in some other illegal activity and may be wary of getting caught. They may also not want to face police for other reasons. In some cases, drivers panic and leave the scene of a crime.

Unfortunately, hit and run Miami Gardens traffic accidents are a serious and all-too-common concern. When drivers fail to stop, they break the law. They also make it harder for victims at the scene of get appropriate help. In this case, Amunategui was fortunate that he remained conscious and that a police officer was nearby to help. However, in a serious Miami Gardens pedestrian accident or traffic accident, the victim may be too injured to call for help and there may not be anyone nearby to call for assistance. In these cases, the victim may die from injuries if the other motorist does not stop to offer help. In addition, not stopping to exchange contact information can make it harder for a victim to get compensation for any injuries, since no insurance information is exchanged.

Hit and run truck accidents can be especially difficult to investigate, as well. A truck may be rented by one company to another, and may be carrying cargo for a third party. In many cases, the truck may be from outside of Florida or even out of state. Finding the truck can be extremely challenging, especially if the victim does not get a clear description of the vehicle.

Even if a truck involved in a hit-and-run is found, it can be challenging to establish liability. In hit and run cases, the driver is often held liable. However, a truck company’s policies may contribute to the accident if the company failed to screen or train the driver adequately. The company may therefore be held liable as well. In many cases, it takes a qualified Miami Gardens personal injury attorney to investigate a hit and run accident and to determine liability.

Continue reading " Early-Morning Miami Gardens Truck Accident " »

There is some dispute about how many US and Miami Beach truck accidents may be caused by truck drivers who use illegal, prescription, and over-the-counter drugs that may impair their driving. Some investigative reports and former truckers claim that drug use is a wide-spread problem in the trucking industry. Some allege that tight deadlines and long hours make drivers reliant on drugs in order to meet work deadlines. They also note that the challenges drivers face often affect their health and compel them to use prescription and over-the-counter drugs while on the road.

Other trucking industry experts note that drug use is not a large problem. They note that truck drivers have much safer driving records than average passenger car drivers. They also note that truck drivers are subject to random drug testing to ensure that they are drug-free. Some point out that passenger car drivers are more likely to cause Miami Beach drunk driving accidents and car accidents because these checks are not in place for passenger car drivers. The Transportation Department also notes that truck accident deaths have been declining – and that driver error is the most common cause of commercial truck accidents.

Some investigations suggest that drug testing alone may not be enough. A 2007 investigation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that 75 percent of drug testing sites did not remove items that could be used to alter drug specimens. Undercover officers for the GAO were also able to purchase online products that hide drug use and were able to add them to urine samples at the testing sites without being caught.

Possibly as a result of testing challenges, it is difficult for experts to note how many truck drivers are using illegal or restricted drugs on the road. According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), in 2007 less than 2% of randomly tested truck drivers tested positive for controlled drugs. However, when Oregon started testing truck drivers on its roads randomly on its own, it found that 9% of commercial truck drivers failed a random drug test.

Whatever the exact rates of drug test failures are, there is no doubt that any drug use by commercial truckers can – and does -- lead to fatalities and serious injuries. Drivers who are impaired and make errors that lead to Miami Beach car accidents, which in turn lead to brain injuries, amputations, spinal cord injuries, and other serious injuries. No matter what efforts have been made so far in reducing the use of controlled substances among commercial truck drivers, more needs to be done to prevent accidents caused by this problem.

If you have been in a Miami Beach truck accident that you think may be caused by an impaired driver, you may want to contact an experienced Miami Beach personal injury attorney. Commercial truck accidents are already complicated due to the multiple parties involved, but proving impairment can be even more challenging. A qualified Miami Beach personal injury attorney can advise you of your rights and options so that you do not have to face the aftermath of your accident by yourself.

Continue reading " How Much of a Concern are Miami Beach Truck Accidents Caused by Drugged Drivers? " »