The occurrence and severity of truck accidents in Florida typically involve complex interactions among various factors.
However, regardless of the cause of Florida truck accidents, collisions between a large vehicle such as an 18-wheeler, semi-truck, tractor truck, or bus and a passenger vehicle are likely to cause serious injuries.
Those who suffer injuries in a Florida truck accident should consult an experienced truck injury attorney to determine their right to compensation.
Get started with a free consultation by calling (850) 601-1111 or filling out our online form today.
Types of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents may involve a head-on collision, rear-end, side-impact, or sideswipe collision. However, the height, center of gravity, and potentially hazardous cargo load make these accidents more likely to cause devastating injuries.
The most common types of truck accidents include the following:
- Rollovers,
- Rear-end collisions,
- Head-on collisions,
- Jackknife accidents,
- T-bone accidents,
- Sideswipe accidents, and
- Wide turn accidents.
The severity of these accidents largely hinges on the surrounding circumstances.
Leading Florida Truck Accident Causes
According to the most recent 2020 statistics by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, nearly 5000 people suffered fatal injuries, and approximately 146,900 people suffered serious injuries in accidents involving large trucks.
Further, Florida ranks the second highest for the number of large truck occupants killed in accidents.
Specifically, the NHTSA reports that there were 4,846 total vehicles involved in fatal crashes, and 351 of these accidents involved large trucks.
What are the most common causes of truck accidents? While environmental factors, roadway conditions, and poor-quality vehicles can all lead to a truck accident, reports indicate that driver-related factors are often responsible.
According to recent statistics, driver-related characteristics were recorded for 33% of the significant truck drivers in fatal crashes. The most common causes of truck accidents typically involve one or more of the following factors.
Physical Factors
Florida truck accidents are more likely to occur when the driver uses alcohol, illegal drugs, or over-the-counter drugs that impact their driving. Moreover, driver fatigue, illness, and vision problems can cause a truck accident.
Driver Distraction
These factors include a driver’s inattention, distraction, and inadequate surveillance of their surroundings.
Poor Driver Decisions
A truck driver might cause an accident if they engage in risky decision-making. Bad decisions can include following too closely, misjudging gaps, assuming what other drivers will do, and driving aggressively.
Driver’s Emotional State
A less studied factor involves the truck driver’s emotional state. Research indicates that when the driver is upset, under pressure, or in a hurry, they are more likely to cause a crash.
Inexperience
Truck drivers unfamiliar with their vehicles, roadways, or routes are more likely to cause serious accidents.
Relationship with Carrier
When employers pressure truck drivers to accept too many loads or operate under time pressure—an accident is more likely to occur.
These factors can lead to catastrophic injuries by themselves or in combination.
Liability After a Florida Truck Accident
Unlike smaller vehicle accidents, truck crashes usually involve multiple potentially liable parties.
Truck Driver
A negligent or reckless truck driver who is speeding, tailgating, or driving while distracted or impaired could be liable for resultant injuries.
Employer
The company that employs the driver could be liable if they negligently hire unqualified drivers or insufficiently train their drivers.
Further, an employer might be liable for not complying with federal trucking standards and putting undue pressure on drivers to meet delivery goals.
Truck Owner
In some cases, trucking companies lease their vehicles from another party. In these cases, the truck owner could be responsible if the accident resulted from an unsafe or defective vehicle.
Truck Manufacturer
Truck manufacturers or third-party parts manufacturers might be responsible in cases where the accident involved a defective or unsafe vehicle part.
Establishing liability after a Florida trucking accident is crucial to securing maximum compensation after a collision.
An attorney can help victims investigate the accident, gather relevant evidence, and present a compelling case for financial recovery against any responsible party.
Experienced Florida Truck Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, reach out to the dedicated Florida truck accident attorneys at Nonni Homola to learn more about your rights.
We have more than 40 years of combined experience helping accident victims and their families recover meaningful compensation that allows them to start moving on with their lives after a life-changing accident.
We understand the causes of truck accidents and can quickly determine which parties might be responsible for your injuries. To schedule a free consultation with a Florida injury lawyer today, call (850) 601-1111.
You can also connect with us through our secure online contact form.
Mark continued his studies at Florida State University College of Law, graduating cum laude in 2008. While in law school, Mark was a member of the Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law and the Journal of Transnational Law & Policy, as well as a certified legal intern with the FSU Public Interest Law Center, where he assisted low-income clients with a wide range of family law issues. He also served as a law clerk intern to The Honorable L. Clayton Roberts of Florida’s First District Court of Appeal.
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