Causes of Truck Accidents
Trucking accidents are tragically common throughout Florida and the rest of the United States. To be sure, statistics provided by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles show that 4,812 truck crashes that led to injuries, as well as 222 that resulted in fatalities occurred in the state in 2015. Of course, because trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, accidents involving these large vehicles lead to catastrophic property damage, as well.
Directly after a truck accident in Florida, accident victims or their loved ones are tasked with filing a claim or a personal injury lawsuit in order to obtain the compensation that they deserve. In order to do so, however, it is necessary to have a comprehensive understanding of the various causes of trucking accidents, as well as who may be held liable.
Naturally, truck driver negligence is often a contributing factor in many accidents. That being said, a number of other factors may be involved that can be used to recover damages in claim or lawsuit.
Driver Negligence
As mentioned above, truck driver negligence is often a contributing factor in trunk accidents. Indeed, a significant number of crashes are caused due to the truck driver operating the truck in an unreasonable fashion. While it’s impossible to list all of the potentially negligent driver actions, a few other factors that may lead to a wreck include:
- Speeding;
- Texting while driving;
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; and
- Driving while fatigued.
Ultimately, any of the actions listed above may be highlighted in a personal injury claim in order to hold a driver liable. However, some of the aforementioned actions may signify liability on behalf of the driver’s employer, as well. Specifically, if a trucking company incentivizes a driver to complete a trip in an unreasonable amount of time, and the driver chooses to speed, or drive without getting enough sleep in order to complete the distance, the trucking company could likely be held liable for their negligent actions in these cases.
Defective Truck Parts
Additionally, a sizeable portion of crashes could be attributed to defective truck parts. For example, a truck accident may be caused by a tire blowout, by defective brakes, or by any other piece of equipment in the truck that may have been manufactured or serviced in a faulty manner.
The party responsible for a defect may not always be apparent, however. Take, for example, a crash caused by faulty brakes. Here, the defect may have been the result of negligence on behalf of the manufacturer or the distributor; or, it may have arisen due to the negligence of maintenance personnel who serviced the truck. In light of this information, because of the complexity of these cases, anyone injured in a truck crash is highly advised to speak to a legal professional before moving forward.
Shipping Company Negligence
Finally, a vast number of truck accidents are caused by shipping company negligence, as well, often in the form of overloading. For exaple, many shipping companies may attempt to overload the truck with goods in order to increase their profits without the need for taking additional trips. And, sadly, this puts the lives of others at risk; overloaded trucks may tip over, leading to devastation on the highway. In this case, the shipping company could be held liable in a personal injury lawsuit in order to acquire adequate compensation for damages.
Have You Been Injured in a Truck Accident?
If you have sustained injuries in a truck accident in Florida, we can assist you in filing a claim or personal injury lawsuit against the responsible parties. At the office of Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorneys at Law, our dedicated attorneys are standing by, eager to help you throughout each step of your case. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a consultation on your case by calling 850-912-8080 (Pensacola), 850-424-6683 (Sandestin), or 850-200-4652 (Fort Walton Beach).
