Truck Accident Attorney in Orange Park

Many different circumstances can result in truck accidents. Some collisions are the result of negligent driving by those in passenger vehicles.

Large truck accidents are not always the responsibility of the trucker or motor carrier. For instance, suppose that a motorist is unaware of the size or miscalculates the speed of a large truck. In this situation, the driver of the passenger vehicle may attempt a dangerous maneuver and cause a crash.

But other collisions can be the result of negligence on the part of the truck driver, company, or manufacturer.

For the most part, commercial truck drivers are well-trained and reliable professionals. However, there are many factors that can lead to truck accidents when a professional driver behaves in a dangerous or careless manner. Some of the circumstances that may contribute to truck accidents in Florida include:

Inadequate Training

Some motor carriers attempt to save money and boost their profits by neglecting to pay for adequate driver training. When commercial drivers are not properly trained, they can easily be a danger to themselves and everyone around them.

Large commercial trucks are difficult to maneuver and control. Without necessary training, drivers are more likely to cause significant property damage and severe injuries to others.

Fatigued Driving

It’s often said that lack of sleep can have a similar effect on driving skills and awareness as consuming alcohol. Therefore, truck drivers that have not had an adequate amount of rest should not be driving. There are federal regulations in place to guarantee that truck drivers are not overworked.

For example, commercial truck drivers are not allowed to drive shifts longer than 11 hours. They are also required to break for 10 hours between shifts.

In a single week, truckers are not permitted to drive more than 60 hours. In an eight-day period, they are not allowed to drive more than 70 hours.

These are only a few of the regulations meant to ensure the safety of commercial drivers and other motorists. Unfortunately, some motor carriers violate these safety rules.

When companies overwork their employees and fatigued driving causes a crash, the negligent company may be held accountable. To pursue financial compensation, speak with one of the best truck accident lawyers in Orange Park, FL, by contacting the firm of Morgan and Morgan.

Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving is dangerous in every situation, but when a large commercial vehicle is involved, aggressive driving can result in tragedy all too often.

Commercial truck drivers are often under a large amount of pressure to complete trips quickly. The long hours on the road can also add to the stress of this professional position.

When a trucker experiences road rage, they may engage in the following dangerous maneuvers:

• Tailgating
• Cutting off other drivers
• Changing lanes recklessly or without signaling
• Failing to yield the right of way

When you have been injured because a trucker drove aggressively, you may be entitled to financial recovery. Consult with a knowledgeable tort attorney to explore the legal options in your case.

Speeding

Speeding is one of the leading causes of all motor vehicle accidents. Many large trucking companies rely on digital trackers to ensure that their drivers respect the speed limit.  

But some companies do not have access to this technology, and speeding in a large commercial truck is very hazardous.  

Because of the size and weight of these trucks, drivers have less control than in passenger vehicles. Driving above the legal speed limit is negligent and reckless. When a driver breaks the law and causes harm to someone else, they should be held accountable.

Distracted Driving

Much like speeding, driving while distracted is also illegal. For instance, texting while driving is prohibited by Florida state law.

Any activity that draws a trucker’s attention away from the road increases the likelihood of a collision. Some of the most common examples of distractions for commercial truck drivers include:

• Using a cell phone
• Drinking or eating
• Watching videos or listening to music with headphones
• Brushing hair, applying makeup, flossing, or other types of grooming
• Engaging with a GPS, navigation system, or tablet

No matter what the cause, distracted driving puts everyone on the road in danger. According to the Florida Department of Labor, there are three primary categories of distractions while driving:

• Cognitive distractions: The driver’s mind is unfocussed
• Visual distractions: The driver’s eyes are not on the road
• Manual distractions: The driver’s hands are not on the wheel

If the driver is distracted by any of the above, the driver is acting in a negligent manner. Speak with an attorney if a distracted truck driver caused a collision in which you were injured. The accomplished professionals at the firm of Morgan and Morgan proudly serve truck accident victims in the Orange Park, FL area.

One of the most important elements in any tort legal claim is determining who is liable. Victims have the right to pursue financial compensation from the party or parties that caused their accident or injury.

When you contact truck injury lawyers in Orange Park, FL, they will do the following to determine who the responsible parties are in your case:

• Obtain medical records and police accident reports
• Interview eyewitnesses to the crash
• Request copies of the trucking company’s logs and records
• Examine vehicular damage resulting from the crash
• Collect any photo or video evidence

The evidence in your truck accident case will be invaluable in determining which parties are at fault. Some of the common liable parties in commercial truck collision claims include:

• Truck drivers
• Commercial trucking companies
• Truck component manufacturers or distributors
• Cargo owners

You may be able to recover financial compensation from more than one negligent party in your case. Anyone who contributed to your collision or injuries may owe you recovery. The compassionate team at Morgan and Morgan know what is needed to successfully represent truck accident victims.

After you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you will probably experience many types of losses. Victims usually fail to anticipate the wide range of consequences resulting from a collision.

Some of the most obvious losses caused by truck accidents are monetary. Victims can pursue economic damages to compensate for their direct financial costs. Typical examples include:

• Current and future medical care costs
• Lost income and missed wages from an inability to work
• Decreased earning ability long-term
• Vehicular property damage

Some of the negative consequences of a truck accident may be intangible, personal, and psychological. Victims can still seek compensation for these losses in the form of non-economic damages. Typical examples in truck collision cases include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish and distress
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Disability, disfigurement, and scarring
• Depression, panic, and anxiety
• Decreases in quality of life

If someone you love was fatally injured in a commercial truck accident, you may have the option to file a wrongful death claim to recover damages on their behalf. The surviving family of accident victims can pursue repayment for:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of consortium or relationship
• Outstanding medical and end-of-life costs

Let one of the truck accident lawyers at the firm of Morgan and Morgan help you determine the value of your truck accident claim.

Florida state law places a timeline, known as a statute of limitations, on personal injury tort claims. In most cases, the statute of limitations on truck accidents and injury claims is two years from the date of the incident.

Because of this, it is important to hire skilled truck accident lawyers in Orange Park, FL, as soon as possible following your accident.

If you were involved in a commercial truck accident in Orange Park, FL, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Fortunately, Morgan & Morgan has more than 800 trial-ready personal injury attorneys nationwide.

Contact our Orange Park office to schedule a no-cost legal case evaluation. When you fill out the contact form online, we will arrange a meeting to discuss the facts of your Orange Park truck accident case. Let our team of skilled litigants get the money you deserve.