Florida Truck Accidents

AVAILABLE 24/7, CALL US AT 1-866-597-4529

Although semi-trucks account for only 2 percent of all the vehicles on the road, they are the cause of 8 percent of all road accidents. This demonstrates that semi-trucks and tractor-trailers can cause accidents with devastating consequences for those involved. It is the size mismatch of these vehicles – a fully loaded truck can weigh over 80,000 pounds, a behemoth when compared to an average car that weighs 3,000 pounds – that causes the accidents to occur. Aronfeld Trial Lawyers handles a diverse range of catastrophic injuries and wrongful death claims that result from trucking accidents involving 18-wheelers and collisions with other commercial vehicles. Our firm has the ability and experience to launch comprehensive traffic accident investigations by utilizing a team that includes private detectives, former police and highway patrol officers, accident reconstruction experts, and biomechanical engineers. Our team of professionals can quickly amass the facts, evidence and proof needed to establish liability, and maximize the recovery for our clients.

Semi-Trucks and Commercial Trucks are Dangerous

Over 500,000 truck accidents happen every year in the United States. Truck drivers are essential for the transportation of commercial goods for businesses around the world, providing the essential service and a huge source of employment with over 3.2 million jobs in America alone (ATA, 2020). The American Trucking Association is the largest trucking association in the United States, however truckers mostly belong to the Teamsters Union which also includes Canadian drivers as well. 

Trucks, as essential as they are for the health of American commerce, are also dangerous vehicles that pose a much greater threat to automobiles on the road than regular cars. Trucks, and especially 18-wheeler trucks, are massive, and can move at speeds up to 85 MPH and weigh anywhere from 35,000 to 80,000 pounds. Getting hit by an 18-wheeler going full speed can have the same effect on most commercial vehicles as a train. 

In 2021, 5,005 people were killed in large trucking accidents, and only 5% of the deceased were the ones driving the big trucks (NHTSA, 2022). It should therefore be clear that those in real danger with trucks on the road are your average commuters and smaller-vehicle drivers; not to mention trucks in 2019 were involved in 538,000 police reports for accidents nationwide.

Semi-Truck Accidents & Hiring an Attorney

If you or somebody you know has been involved in a truck accident, having an attorney on your side immediately is vital. Truck drivers are usually insured by one or more companies, making the situation evermore complicated. These multiple insurance companies might all be guilty of negligence, making the need for legal guidance essential. 

One single truck accident can change a life forever, so contact us to see how we can bring justice for your suffering and damages as soon as possible. Our law firm has decades of experience getting those injured by trucks the appropriate compensation they deserve.

Our vehicle accident lawyers in Miami have nearly 50 years of combined legal experience representing victims in traffic accidents across the state of Florida from the panhandle to Key West. Our offices are located in Coral Gables but we are available to meet with you on the telephone, Zoom, Skype, or Google meet. We are also available 24/7 to meet with you in a hospital or rehabilitation center. 

Our Florida injury attorneys pride themselves on our ability to navigate claims against insurance companies and maximize our client’s recovery. We work on a pure contingency basis which means we don’t get paid unless we are successful in collecting money for you.

The very first course of action one should take if you are unfortunately involved in a large truck accident is make sure you have received the appropriate medical attention. Large truck accidents tend to be much more dangerous than regular car accidents, meaning it is important you get the immediate attention needed to ensure you and other passengers are healthy. Secondly, you should take photos of the damage, location, license plates, insurance information, and other important documents and information you might need later on to prove the accident took place and keep record of who was involved. You should never accept fault of the accident, especially when the police ask why and how the accident took place. Even if you believe you were at fault, you might not have been, and culpability in auto accidents are complicated as accidents are rarely straightforward. Finally you should speak to an experienced auto accident attorney as soon as possible. Besides legal advice, speaking to an attorney might help bring you compensation for the damages and pain/suffering endured from the accident.

The best way to figure out if your auto accident might be a case is to ask an experienced attorney. It is not uncommon that drivers in accidents think their situation was not worth pursuing legally, and that there is nothing to be done from a litigation perspective. Although it is true that not every car accident can lead to a large settlement, we still recommend and encourage anybody involved in one to seek an attorney’s opinion before passing judgment. 

COMMON CAUSES OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS IN FLORIDA

AVAILABLE 24/7, CALL US AT 1-866-597-4529

Dangerous Cargo: Semi-trucks that are loaded with hazardous materials can cause casualties if the shipment catches fire or explodes. Fires fueled by gallons of truck fuel burn up everything in the area, including other vehicles and houses.

Bad weather conditions: Fog, snow, sleet, rain, and smoke are all factors that cause bad driving conditions.

Failure to yield right of way: Car drivers need to appreciate that trucks should be given the right of way.

Unsecured cargo: Cargo on semi-trucks should be distributed and secured so that it does not shift during the journey. Additionally the tailgate, tailboard, doors, tarpaulin, and spare tires need to be fastened down. Drivers are responsible for checking the cargo after the first 50 miles, and again after 3 hours or 150 miles, whichever comes first, and for making any required adjustments. Improperly loaded trucks tend to roll over or cause spillage on the road leading to vehicle pile ups on the freeway.

Fatigue: Drivers push themselves to reach destinations faster by depriving themselves of sleep. Inevitably, fatigue catches up and accidents happen. Some drivers with sleep apnea, narcolepsy or other medical conditions can cause more accidents.

truck

Truck Accident

We focus on helping those who have been catastrophically injured in truck accidents throughout the State of Florida.

motorcycle

Motorcycle Accident

Our attorneys have over 30 years of experience in representing families of people injured and killed across the State of Florida in motorcycle accidents.

pedestrian

Pedestrian Accident

Our pedestrian accident lawyers are familiar with Florida’s pedestrian traffic regulations and are experienced in the representation of injured pedestrians and their families..

car

Car/Auto Accident

We are Miami’s best car accident attorney firm. We have over 30 years experience fighiting insurance companies on behalf of accident injury victims

Miami-based Aronfeld Trial Lawyers was established by Board Certified Trial Lawyer, Spencer Aronfeld in 1991. The firm represents cases resulting in serious injuries in the areas of Defective Product Liability, Maritime Law, Automobile AccidentsPremises LiabilityCycling AccidentsSlip and Fall IncidentsWrongful DeathMedical and Dental Malpractice, Civil Rights Claims, Workplace InjuriesSexual Assault, and others. Every client receives the full benefit of our experience, our resources, and our commitment. The practice of personal injury law is our calling. We are a firm of high-profile, nationally recognized legal advocates who work for you, our client, never big business. All attorneys and staff members at the firm are bilingual speaking Spanish. To learn more, contact Aronfeld Trial Lawyers directly at (305) 441-0440.