Semi-trucks and tractor-trailers are familiar fixtures of Boca Raton traffic, with commercial vehicles constantly traveling down the I-95 to meet up with the I-75 and vice versa. Unfortunately, this heavy volume of truck traffic creates a serious risk for car and truck motor vehicle accidents.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were over 28,000 truck accidents in Florida in 2020, and over 22,000 vehicle crashes occurred in Palm Beach County.
Truck accidents are capable of causing serious personal injury or wrongful death, and when they do, a Boca Raton truck accident lawyer at GED Lawyers can provide effective representation to help accident victims receive compensation from negligent truckers and trucking companies.
How Truck Accidents Differ From Car Accidents
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, of the total 4,014 truck accident fatalities in 2020, 15 percent of those were truck drivers, and 69 percent were drivers and occupants of the other vehicles.
Considering the sheer size and weight of commercial rigs, they are significantly more dangerous in any accident situation. When a large truck weighing thousands of pounds crashes into the average car weighing in at approximately much less, any accidents and injuries resulting from such an auto accident can be catastrophic.
Truck accidents result in:
- More significant injuries
- More extensive medical and rehabilitative costs
- Greater property damage
- Complications in determining liability
- Greater chances of fatalities
If you have been injured in a truck accident, the Boca Raton truck accident attorneys at GED Lawyers can hold negligent truck drivers and the companies that employ them accountable. We understand what it takes to establish negligence in a truck accident and work diligently to ensure our clients get the compensation they need after a serious truck accident.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Boca Raton, call (844) 443-3529
The Danger of Waiting To Take Legal Action After a Boca Raton Truck Accident
If you do not exercise your right to go after compensation for your injuries and losses, you could forever lose the right to get damages from the negligent party who caused the truck accident. Sometimes, people negotiate with the claims adjuster, hoping that the case will settle, without realizing that there is a deadline.
Florida law has statutes of limitations that places a deadline on when you can file a lawsuit for your losses. If you cannot file a lawsuit because the deadline passed, the insurance company and other party do not have to pay you any money.
The statutes of limitations that can apply to Boca Raton truck accident cases are:
- Six months to file a written claim against a city for their negligence under Florida Statutes § 768.28.
- Two years to file a lawsuit against a party who is not a municipality for wrongful death if the truck accident caused the death of your close relative under Florida Statutes § 95.11.
- Four years to bring a lawsuit against a party who is not a municipality for your personal injuries if you got hurt in a truck accident under Florida Statutes § 95.11.
You will want to talk to your Boca Raton truck accident lawyer right away to avoid missing the deadlines and losing out on the money damages you deserve.
Boca Raton Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 443-3529
Unrealistic Schedules and the Trucking Industry
One of the main causes of truck accidents, especially with our current logistical and supply problems, is the pressure on cargo haulers to get their load to a destination on schedule.
Truckers and the companies they work for commonly push their schedules beyond reasonable limits. This means that more truckers drive while they are drowsy or impaired, haul heavier loads, don’t take the time to properly maintain their rigs, and don’t take the required downtime regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This puts everyone on the road in peril.
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Hours of Service Violations Could Indicate Negligence in an Accident Case
One of the most common causes of large truck accidents is drowsy driving. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that driving while fatigued is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Consequently, truckers are required by law to comply with hours of service regulations by the FMCSA, but many don’t.
Hours of service (HOS) is the maximum amount of time a trucker is permitted to be on duty and regulates the number of hours a truck driver can actively drive, as well as the number and length of rest periods they must take.
Unfortunately, truckers often violate hours of service regulations to make pressured deadlines. An accident caused by a truck driver’s drowsiness leaves the trucker and/or the company employing them liable for any injuries that result.
At GED Lawyers, our truck accident lawyers will diligently seek evidence from logbooks and black boxes to determine if the driver was operating within HOS regulations. If the driver was not in compliance, we could help hold them liable for any Boca Raton accident that resulted.
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How Black Boxes Help Establish Fault in Boca Raton Truck Accidents
Today, most commercial trucks are equipped with black boxes, or electronic control modules. Like black boxes on commercial aircraft, they can provide critical data regarding an accident, including
- Any driver input
- Pre-crash vehicle dynamics
- Pre-crash system status
- Whether restraints were used and if they were deployed
- Post-crash data, including an automatic collision notification system
While the National Highway Transportation Safety Board and the FMCSA have both recommended black boxes for all commercial trucks to monitor compliance with HOS rules and other matters, having a black box onboard is still only voluntary. But most truck companies have now implemented them.
They can provide incontrovertible evidence after an accident. Your lawyer will know to subpoena black box information and use it in support of an injury claim.
How To Find a Boca Raton Truck Accident Lawyer You Can Trust
You might go online and read reviews before hiring a doctor or trying a new restaurant. People like to read testimonials from people who have already experienced a business or professional to find out what to expect. Here are some of our positive reviews:
- “Ged Lawyers handled my case with professionalism and exceeded my expectations with excellent results. During these trying times of a pandemic, they were always available to answer of my questions and handle any matter needed. Mark Packo aggressively pursued my lawsuit with excellent results and his paralegal Shara was so kind and professional and kept my updated on my case regularly. I highly recommend this firm to anyone in need of legal services.” Sidney M.
- “I can’t say enough about Ged Lawyers. After my car accident they helped me out when I needed them most. Professional, knowledgeable and responsive. Was contacted regularly so I was informed and updated every step of the way. If I had questions they were very patient and generous with their time. That’s what I appreciated the most. Even during this Corona/covid era…..the work never stopped. Special thanks to Maria! Made everything simple and easy for me. She is the best!” George H.
- “What an amazing group of people! They treat everyone with respect and kindness. It truly is like a family at GED Lawyers. Everyone in the firm is so talented at their jobs. They are passionate at what they do and they get results!” Richard W.
- “The entire GED Law team is amazing. They are very upfront about your case, where it could lead and disclose every foreseeable step. Nothing is pleasant about a personal injury case, however having good people like Al Johnson and Mark Packo on your side make a huge difference. My paralegal Shara Silva made communication fast and efficient. Hopefully I will never need them again, but if I do I will definitely return.” Courtney F.
These are just a few examples of the hundreds of glowing reviews from our clients. Come find out why they are so happy with our legal services.
What You Should Know About the Dangers of Trucking Accidents in Florida
The immense size and weight of a fully-loaded tractor-trailer deliver a tremendous amount of force in the event of a collision, placing the occupants of a smaller, lighter automobile at serious risk for catastrophic personal injury or wrongful death. The large, heavy trucks are also more difficult to handle, requiring increased reaction time and stopping distance compared with other vehicles.
Finally, the driver of a semi-truck has blind spots that extend across multiple lanes of traffic and for several car lengths in front of the cab and behind the trailer. Motorists navigating around the truck have limited sight distances too.
In addition to the inherent dangers brought on by the size and weight of the semi-truck, poor maintenance issues can contribute to truck accidents. Common causes of trucking accidents in Florida attributed to the tractor-trailer include:
- Out-of-adjustment brakes
- Defective or missing brake components
- Worn or defective tires
- Unbalanced load
- Overloaded truck
Vehicle issues aside, driver error remains a leading cause and contributor to truck crashes. Truckers have a strong incentive to get to their destination as quickly as possible, and this factor may lead to truck drivers speeding and driving recklessly or aggressively, as well as truckers working longer than is safe and driving while fatigued, risking distracted driving or falling asleep at the wheel.
The U.S. Department of Transportation oversees the trucking industry and posts regulations governing the inspection and maintenance of a company’s trucking fleet, as well as the credentials and hours of service of its drivers. Yet truckers routinely ignore these regulations and drive well beyond the maximum allowable hours, sometimes falsifying log books and other records to make them appear in compliance.
Our truck accident lawyers are aware of these truck driver and trucking company tricks and will not allow them to get away with reprehensible behavior.
Who Can Be Responsible for a Truck Accident in Florida?
Accidents involving large commercial trucks can be extremely complex, with many possible points of fault. Claims against large commercial enterprises require establishing negligence, but that is where it can become complicated.
Fault might lie with:
- The commercial truck driver
- The company that the driver works for
- The company that owns or leases the truck
- The company that owns or leases the trailer
- The company that contracted the haul
- The truck manufacturer
- The manufacturer of the truck’s parts or components
- The mechanic that serviced the truck
Many questions may arise during the investigation of the accident, including
- How much experience did the driver have?
- Did the trucker have adequate training?
- Was the driver operating within HOS regulations?
- Was the truck overloaded or improperly loaded and secured?
- Was the truck adequately maintained?
- Was there an equipment failure?
Sometimes, there may be more than one party at fault.
Get Help Today From Our Florida Trucking Accident Professionals
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, contact GED Lawyers for a free case review. We are headquartered in Boca Raton with satellite offices throughout Florida, and if your injuries prevent you from traveling to our offices, we will gladly come to you at your home or in the hospital. This way, our lawyers can help you recover compensation for the harm that was done to you.
You might have suffered because of a truck driver’s inexperience, negligence, or reckless driving, or because a truck was driven in a dangerously unsafe condition. We will hold all responsible parties accountable.
Call or text (844) 443-3529 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
