A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds — almost 20 times the weight of a passenger car. Traveling at highway speeds, these vehicles generate massive forces. When a semi-truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the results are almost always catastrophic. Many of these crashes are fatal.

Recovering the compensation you deserve after a truck accident is rarely straightforward. Unlike a car accident, multiple parties may share responsibility for causing a truck accident. In addition, various state and federal regulations may apply.

The Florida truck accident attorney team at Saka Bryant can help you navigate these laws, identify who caused the crash, and fight to recover the compensation you and your family deserve. Contact our law office today to schedule a free and confidential appointment to discuss your situation and how we can assist you.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Most accidents involving large commercial vehicles are caused by driver error, though in some instances other parties may share responsibility for causing the crash. Examples of driver error that cause a truck accident include:

  • Driver Fatigue. Drivers face pressure to deliver on time and may drive long past the point at which fatigue makes it unsafe to continue. Federal Hours of Service regulations limit how long truckers can drive and how much they must rest. Many modern trucks are equipped with Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to record driving time. Nonetheless, violations occur, sometimes with catastrophic results.
  • Distracted Driving. Texting, changing the radio, and using navigation devices are common distractions that can divert a driver’s attention and cause a catastrophic accident.
  • Drug or Alcohol Use. Surprisingly, many truck accidents involve drivers who were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • Weather Conditions. Wet roads, dense fog, and high winds reduce visibility and make it more difficult for drivers to maintain control. When drivers fail to adjust their speed or following distances, they can cause a crash.
  • Improper Loading. Overloading, improper weight distribution, or failing to secure cargo properly can make a truck unstable and increase the risk of a rollover or jackknife accident, or cause cargo to spill onto the roadway.

Federal Regulations Are Intended to Improve Driver Safety

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the trucking industry and enforces safety rules that truck drivers must follow. They include Hours of Service rules, which limit the number of hours truckers can drive and mandate how much they must rest. They also include commercial truck driver qualification standards and vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements. When drivers and trucking companies violate these rules, they put other motorists at risk. Violations of these rules can be used as evidence to establish negligence on the part of the driver and the trucking company that employed them.

When a Truck Accident Causes Injuries, You Deserve Compensation

When a trucking accident causes injuries, you are entitled to compensation. The truck accident attorney team at Saka Bryant will investigate the cause of the crash, identify the responsible parties, and fight to hold them accountable for the harm they caused.

When a Florida truck accident causes injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Past and future medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Damage to your relationship with your family

How a Florida Truck Accident Attorney Can Help

Truck accidents are more complicated than crashes involving passenger vehicles. The truck driver, the trucking company, shippers, brokers, loaders, and vehicle maintenance providers could all share responsibility for causing the crash. Each of these companies is backed by a large commercial insurance policy whose lawyers are paid to ensure their client is not held liable for causing your injuries. Our experienced truck accident attorneys will level the playing field and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Contact a Florida Truck Accident Attorney at Saka Bryant Today

If you were hurt in a truck accident in Florida, contact the Florida truck accident attorneys at Saka Bryant today to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation appointment to discuss your situation and how we can assist you.