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Truck accidents in Florida can lead to severe injuries, extensive property damage, and even fatalities. Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, these accidents often result in devastating consequences.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, it’s crucial to understand the different types of truck crashes, what causes them, and your legal rights for compensation.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the most common truck accident types, why they occur, and what steps you should take after an accident to protect your rights.
Truck accidents can happen in many ways, each posing unique dangers. Understanding how these accidents occur can help drivers stay vigilant on the road.
Jackknife Accidents A jackknife accident happens when a truck’s trailer swings outward, forming an L or V shape with the cab. This occurs when a truck suddenly loses control, often due to excessive braking, slippery roads, or mechanical failure.
When a jackknife accident occurs, the truck can block multiple lanes of traffic, leading to multi-vehicle pileups and secondary crashes. These accidents are particularly dangerous on highways, where vehicles travel at high speeds and may not have time to react.
Underride Collisions Underride accidents are among the most dangerous truck crashes, happening when a smaller vehicle slides underneath a truck’s trailer. These accidents are often fatal due to the severe impact on the passenger car.
Sudden stops, poor visibility, and the lack of proper reflectors or underride guards on the truck can contribute to these crashes. Many underride accidents occur at night or in poor weather conditions, where drivers may not see the truck until it’s too late.
Rollover Truck Crashes A rollover accident occurs when a truck tips over onto its side or roof. These crashes are often caused by excessive speed around curves, overloaded cargo, or high winds pushing against the trailer.
A rolled-over truck can create significant road hazards, blocking traffic and leading to further collisions as other vehicles attempt to avoid the wreckage. These crashes are especially common on highways and winding roads where drivers may misjudge their speed.
Rear-End Truck Collisions Trucks require a longer stopping distance than passenger vehicles, making rear-end collisions common when truck drivers fail to react in time.
These accidents can occur if the truck driver is following too closely, speeding, distracted, or fatigued. Rear-end truck collisions can be catastrophic for the vehicle in front, often resulting in severe whiplash, spinal injuries, and fatalities.
Blind Spot Truck Accidents Trucks have large blind spots on all sides, particularly along the sides near the cab, directly in front of the truck, and behind the trailer.
When vehicles linger in these blind spots, truck drivers may not see them when merging lanes or making a turn. This can lead to side-impact collisions, where smaller vehicles are crushed or forced off the road.
Wide-Turn Truck Accidents Large trucks require extra space to make turns, often swinging left before making a right turn. If a smaller vehicle is in the truck’s path during this maneuver, it can be pinned between the truck and the curb, leading to serious side-impact crashes.
These accidents are particularly common in urban areas with narrow streets and heavy traffic.
T-Bone Truck Collisions T-bone crashes, or side-impact collisions, occur when a truck collides with the side of another vehicle.
These crashes frequently happen at intersections when a truck runs a red light or fails to yield. Poor visibility, driver distraction, and failure to stop at traffic signals can increase the risk of T-bone crashes, which are especially dangerous for passengers on the impacted side of the vehicle.
Fatal Truck Accidents Truck accidents can be fatal due to the immense force of impact. High-speed crashes, jackknife incidents, and multi-vehicle pileups often result in deaths.
Some of the most dangerous roads for fatal truck accidents in Florida include Interstate 95, Interstate 75, and the Florida Turnpike. These highways experience heavy commercial truck traffic, increasing the likelihood of serious crashes.
Several factors contribute to truck accidents in Florida.
Truck Driver Fatigue Many truckers work long hours and may exceed federal driving limits, leading to drowsy driving. Fatigue impairs reaction time, decision-making, and focus, making it a leading factor in serious truck crashes.
Speeding & Reckless Driving When trucks travel over the speed limit, they require more distance to stop and are harder to control.
High speeds increase the severity of impact in a crash and make it more difficult for truck drivers to react to sudden traffic changes.
Poor Road Conditions & Weather Hazards Florida’s weather can lead to dangerous road conditions, including heavy rain, flooded roads, and potholes. These hazards increase the risk of hydroplaning, loss of control, and accidents due to decreased visibility.
Poorly maintained highways and construction zones can create additional dangers for truck drivers and other motorists.
Mechanical Failures & Equipment Malfunctions Some truck accidents occur due to mechanical failures, including brake failures and tire blowouts. If a truck’s braking system malfunctions, stopping the vehicle in time to avoid a crash may be impossible. Regular maintenance and inspections are crucial to prevent these issues.
Determining liability in a truck accident is often complex, as multiple parties may be responsible.
Truck Driver Liability A truck driver may be held liable if they were speeding, distracted, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Trucking Company Responsibility The trucking company may also share responsibility if they failed to properly train their drivers, enforce safety regulations, or maintain the truck.
Truck Manufacturer Defects In some cases, the truck manufacturer may be liable if a defective part, such as faulty brakes or a steering failure, contributed to the accident.
Government Entity Negligence Government entities can be held accountable if poor road maintenance, inadequate signage, or unsafe construction zones played a role in the crash.
Florida follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning that even if a driver was partially at fault, they may still be entitled to compensation.
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, taking the right steps can help protect your legal rights.
Victims of truck accidents in Florida may be entitled to financial compensation for:
Can I sue a trucking company for negligence? Yes, you can sue a trucking company if their negligence contributed to the accident. This could include hiring unqualified drivers, failing to maintain their trucks properly, or violating federal trucking regulations. If the company forced drivers to work beyond legal driving hours, ignored necessary repairs, or encouraged reckless driving, they may be held liable for damages.
What if the truck accident wasn’t my fault? If the accident was not your fault, you have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Even if you were partially at fault, Florida’s comparative negligence law allows you to recover damages, although your compensation may be reduced based on your level of responsibility for the accident.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Florida? In Florida, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim after a truck accident is typically two years from the date of the crash. If the accident resulted in a wrongful death, the deadline is also two years. It is important to act quickly, as waiting too long can prevent you from receiving compensation.
What types of compensation can I receive after a truck accident? You may be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and property damage. If the accident resulted in a fatality, surviving family members may also pursue wrongful death damages, including funeral expenses and loss of companionship.
Who pays for my medical bills after a truck accident? If you have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, it will cover a portion of your medical expenses up to the policy limit. However, truck accidents often result in injuries that exceed PIP coverage. In such cases, you can file a claim against the at-fault truck driver, trucking company, or other liable parties to seek full compensation for your medical costs.
Truck accidents can leave victims with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and emotional distress. Navigating the legal system alone can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with trucking companies and insurance adjusters. An experienced truck accident attorney can help determine liability, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for fair compensation.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Florida truck accident, contact Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa today for a free consultation. Our legal expert can guide you through the process and help you secure the financial recovery you deserve.
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