Florida Truck Accident Attorneys

Serving Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, and clients throughout Florida

Florida has numerous vehicles and semi-trucks on the road at the same time every day. Unfortunately, the chances of an accident with a semi-truck seem to increase each year. Because of their weight and size, these commercial vehicles cause massive property damage, injuries, and numerous fatalities.

Truck Accident Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, commercial vehicles were involved in more than 270,000 accidents in the United States in 2010.

In 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 29 deaths from truck-related accidents.

When you look at the national numbers, however, there were 3,675 people killed in semi-truck accidents for 2010. This number was an 8.7 percent increase from 2009 (when only 3,380 people were killed).

In 2009, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported:

1. The top three causes for fatal truck accidents in the United States was staying in one lane, speeding, and inattention to road conditions.
2. Two percent of truck drivers were found legally drunk at the time of a fatal semi-truck accident.

An estimated 7 percent of fatal accidents involved a commercial truck.

What Causes Fatal Truck Accidents in Florida?

There are numerous reasons why a fatal accident may occur, but statistics have shown that certain factors increase the likelihood of a truck accident fatality. These causes can include:

1. Distracted driving
2. Driver error
3. Driver fatigue
4. Poorly maintained semi-trucks
5. Inexperienced drivers
6. Overloaded cargo spaces
7. Poor weather or road conditions

According to data pulled in 2009, it was found that:

1. Two-thirds of those fatal accidents were with semi-trucks that only carried one trailer.
2. Three percent of truck accident fatalities involved double trailers.
3. Trucks that had three trailers were involved in less than 0.01 percent of accidents.

The most deadly type of truck accident is a head-on collision, simply because of the weight and size of a semi-truck. Also, underride accidents made up for a large majority of the fatalities in the United States, with rear-end collisions, jack-knife collisions, and catastrophic equipment failures being next in line.

Types of Trucks Involved in Fatal Accidents

Some of the popular commercial vehicles that are involved in fatal truck accidents in the state include: 

1. 18-wheelers
2. Delivery trucks
3. Garbage and waste trucks
4. Armored trucks
5. Fire trucks
6. Passenger buses
7. Livestock carriers
8. Ambulances
9. Dump trucks
10. Tankers
11. Flatbed trailer trucks

But Not All Truck Accidents are Fatal…

Not all semi-truck and commercial truck accidents are fatal, but the injuries are still much more severe than they would be between two passenger vehicles.

The common injuries found in victims in these types of accidents include:

1. Traumatic brain injury or TBI
2. Broken bones
3. Paralysis
4. Internal injuries, organ failure or internal bleeding
5. Facial damage
6. Amputations
7. Disfigurement
8. Concussions
9. Spinal cord damage

Information to Collect in Your Florida Truck Accident

If you were involved in a truck accident in Florida, there are some details you need to collect (if possible) to help with your accident claim. These details include:

1. Details of how the accident happened
2. Surroundings
3. Names and contact information for witnesses
4. Truck company information and driver information
5. Videos (if any)

Contact Our Team of Jacksonville Truck Accident Attorneys Today

Our team of Florida truck accident attorneys at Hardesty, Tyde, Green & Ashton, P. A. can help you or a loved one get the compensation you deserve after a truck accident. We will first work to identify which parties are responsible for your injuries, including:

1. The driver
2. The driver’s employer
3. The company responsible for loading the truck
4. The company responsible for maintaining the truck
5. The company responsible for manufacturing the truck or trailer’s components

Then, we will work hard to prove your case. Whether you need compensation for your medical costs, lost wages or the loss of a loved one, trust in our team of attorneys to be there for you every step of the way.

Call us now to get started with a free, no-obligation consultation regarding your truck accident claim.