Florida Truck Accident Lawyers

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Our Northwest Florida truck accident attorneys at Perry & Young have a detailed understanding of the many causes of truck accidents. We can use our vast resources to meticulously investigate any truck accident claim brought to our attention, with the goal of placing full liability on the truck driver or trucking company. If your liability can be kept at 0%, your recovery amount won’t be reduced if it is secured, so knowing the ins and outs of truck accident causes is an important step in the legal claims process. Of course, we’re always ready to go to trial and prove the defendant is responsible.

Common causes of truck accidents vary, such as:

• Speeding: Breaking the speed limit not only reduces a truck driver’s ability to steer safely but also extends the distance required to stop the truck. Speeding is a common factor in rear-end collisions involving big rigs.
• Exhaustion: Truck drivers often cover great distances and work long hours, sometimes up to 14 hours in a single shift. Fatigue can significantly impair their ability to react quickly and make safe decisions.
• Impairment: Drugs and alcohol can dangerously impair a truck driver’s reaction time, vision, and motor control.
• Loose cargo: Poorly secured cargo can fall off a truck and into traffic. All cargo in or on any trailer must be secured properly to prevent such accidents.
• Top-heavy vehicles: Trucks loaded heavily on top are more prone to rollovers, particularly when making turns, navigating uneven road surfaces, or driving through high-wind areas.
• Brake defects: Faulty or poorly maintained brakes can fail, making it impossible for the driver to slow down or stop the truck. Other truck part defects can contribute to truck accidents, too.
• Wheel runoff: When a commercial truck’s wheel separates from the rest of the vehicle while it is in motion, the wheel or tire can roll off and hit nearby vehicles in what is called a wheel runoff accident.

Liable Parties in Truck Accident Claims

Who is liable for your truck accident? You might be surprised to find that several parties could potentially be held liable. Through our investigation, we can look for proof of liability, which may extend beyond just the truck driver.

The parties that could be liable for a truck accident might be:

• Truck driver: If the truck driver’s negligence or recklessness led to the accident, they could be held directly liable, and you might be able to file against their privately purchased insurance policy.
• Trucking company: If the truck driver was employed by a trucking company at the time of the accident, the company could also bear responsibility due to the legal principle known as respondeat superior, which holds employers liable for the actions of their employees carried out within the scope of their employment.
• Cargo loading company: If the cargo was improperly loaded or secured by a third party, leading to an accident, the company responsible for loading the cargo could be held partially liable.
• Truck maintenance company: If the accident was caused by a mechanical failure that should have been prevented with proper maintenance, the company in charge of maintaining the truck could be liable, assuming it is a separate company from the trucking company.
• Freight broker: A truck broker is licensed to subcontract loads from trucking companies to individual drivers. This “middleman” party can be liable for a truck accident if it negligently arranges for the wrong truck driver or vehicle to haul a load (e.g., assigning an overweight load to an undersized commercial vehicle). 

Serious Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents

A heavy, large commercial truck colliding with a smaller passenger vehicle creates a significant disparity in force. This difference often results in extensive wreckage and severe injuries due to the sheer power exerted by the larger vehicle. The impact of such accidents can be catastrophic, often leading to serious injuries that require long-term medical care or result in permanent disability.

Serious injuries caused by truck accidents can include the following and more:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Neck and back injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Severe burns and disfigurement
• Amputations

Compensation Owed in Truck Accident Cases

At Perry & Young, we are dedicated to getting the compensation that our clients need to “be whole” again. In other words, we want to get the most compensation possible to help you recover as much as possible from the truck accident. In cases of permanent injuries and disabilities, it might not be possible to “get back” to how you were before the crash, but it is worth fighting to help you live in as much comfort as you can manage. No matter the total value of your case and how it must be achieved – through a settlement or jury verdict – we will be ready to stand up for you.

Compensation that you could be owed after a truck accident could consider:

• Medical expenses you have already incurred.
• Costs of future medical care and therapy.
• Lost wages if you have missed work.
• Future income earning capacity loss.
• Pain and suffering.
• Lessened enjoyment of life.
• Shortened life expectancy.
• Property damage and vehicle repair costs.