Personal injury attorney Jacksonville Florida deal with cases over various parts of the state. Across Florida, there were more than 390,000 roadway accidents in 2017. Of these accidents, more than 46,000 involved commercial vehicles. Commercial truck accidents are serious, with victims typically suffering more devastating injuries because of the size of the vehicles involved.
Commercial Truck Accidents and Injury Types
Anytime someone is involved in a commercial truck accident, there is a concern about head and neck injuries. These injuries can occur when two cars collide but there is a greater possibility when a truck is involved. Generally, commercial trucks when fully loaded weigh 80,000 pounds versus a standard car which weighs 5,000 pounds. As you can see, the simple force of a truck traveling at 60 MPH versus a car traveling the same speed is much higher.
In addition to head and neck injuries, victims can also suffer crushing injuries resulting in broken bones, damage to internal organs, and in some cases, paralysis. Any type of injury suffered in a commercial truck accident is serious, unfortunately, in some cases, the injury can be life-altering.
Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents
Personal injury attorney Jacksonville Florida Edwards & Ragatz know with any type of accident on Florida roadways, getting compensation for injuries means you must prove the other party was at fault. Truck drivers can be found at fault for various reasons including:
- Performance-related – like any driver, it is possible for a truck driver to overcompensate when they foresee danger. Drivers can panic when their truck goes into a skid, or they feel another vehicle is changing lanes unsafely.
- Distracted driving – a driver who is reviewing text messages, talking on the phone, or otherwise distracted can miss something going on outside of the vehicle resulting in an accident.
- Well-being issues – truck drivers are supposed to get a certain amount of rest when they are driving on the roadways. When they get insufficient rest, they could be driving drowsy. Unfortunately, in some cases, drivers also have health issues which can cause blackouts at the wheel resulting in an accident.
- Judgement errors – because of the distance many truck drivers must travel to meet goals and deadlines, they may be driving too fast for road conditions. This type of poor judgement can result in an accident.
Regardless of what the root cause of a commercial truck accident, you will have to speak with an attorney who has experience dealing with these types of cases. Truck accidents are serious, and chances are high that a victim will require extensive medical care to recover from their injuries.
Because of no-fault auto insurance laws in Florida, a victims of commercial truck accidents must be able to demonstrate the coverage they have is insufficient for them to recover financially after an accident. Medical bills, time lost from work, rehabilitation costs, and damage to their vehicle must all be taken into consideration. Additionally, your attorney will work have to ensure there was a thorough investigation of the accident to show the other driver was at fault.
When you or a family member is involved in a commercial truck accident and suffers an injury, you will need to know your rights, and work with an attorney who will serve as a strong advocate on your behalf. A personal injury attorney Jacksonville Florida with experience representing commercial truck accident victims can help you preserve your rights and get you the compensation you are entitled to.
If you or a loved one suffered from any form of medical malpractice, allow a personal injury attorney Jacksonville Florida to provide a free consultation. An attorney can provide you with legal assistance to determine if you have a case and help you receive compensation for your injuries. Contact an esteemed personal Jacksonville medical malpractice attorney at Edwards & Ragatz for a free consultation: (800) 366-1609; locally – (904) 399-1609; or through our website www.edwardsragatz.com