A fully loaded tractor usually weighs around 80,000 pounds. When one of these heavy trucks crashes into a small passenger car the damage can be incomprehensible. At highway speeds, the truck may completely smash the car to pieces and severely injure or kill every passenger in the vehicle. The Law Office of Todd Passman offers free consultation with our Fort Pierce / Port St. Lucie truck accident attorneys. Call (772) 465-9806 now to schedule your consultation.

Though devastating crashes result when trucks crash into passenger cars, drivers on I-95 in Fort Pierce / Port St. Lucie must take this risk every day. While every driver has had a minimum of training in defensive driving tactics through the normal Florida Drivers License system, truck drivers are supposed to be much better trained and experienced and follow federal and state regulations, their CDL manuals, Truck Driver school training, and their company manuals and regulations. Unfortunately, despite this training, truck drivers do not always make good decisions. Even under the best training and supervision, weather and other factors can contribute to truck accidents. But no matter what the cause, when a truck crashes into a small car or even SUV, people’s lives are permanently affected.

If you have been to the emergency room recently and seen the high price of the hospital bills that can result even from a small accident, you will realize that the $10,000 PIP limit may never be enough to compensate your loss. A personal injury attorney may be able to assist you by making an analysis of all possible insurance coverages including other driver’s liability, your own PIP, PIP of a resident relative for those who do not own a vehicle, Medical Payments insurance, or Uninsured or Underinsured Motorists coverage, if any.

According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), which is kept by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) Interstate 95 (I-95), which passes through Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie is the second most dangerous interstate for truck accidents. It’s also one of the oldest roads of the Interstate Highway System. Between 2011 and 2015, I-95 had an average frequency of 5.7 accident deaths for every 100 miles driven during rain or snow. I-95 had the highest number of total of accident deaths during this period as well. In 2018, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that big trucks (>10,000 lbs.) were involved in more than 1,000 fatal accidents (not just on I-95) and almost half of these accidents occurred in rain or snow. Certainly the possibility for each of us to end up in a truck accident is small and we would prefer not to think about being injured in such a dangerous accident. But if it happens to you, the Law Office of Todd C. Passman is ready to help you and only one free phone call away.

Every case is different. But even a minor accident can leave an injury victim in pain and potentially disabled. Injures that we see frequently include:

• Bulging discs, herniated discs and other spinal injuries
• Broken bones and fractures
• Cuts, lacerations, and open wounds, often requiring stitches
• Scars
• Burns
• Amputations
• Head injuries (Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI))

You might need surgery, long term rehabilitation, physical therapy, and other expensive treatments. An experienced and caring personal injury can help make sure you get the treatment you need and the compensation you deserve. If you would like to see what the Law Office of Todd C. Passman has to offer, take a look at our 5-star Google Reviews and call us today.

The NHTSA and FMCSA conducted a “Large Truck Crash Causation Study” analyzing 120,000 large truck crashes (>10,000 lbs) that occurred between April 2001 and December 2003. From the 120,000 crashes they collected an nationally representative sample of 963 crashes and performed a rigorous study on causation.

The study found that:

“Three major types of critical events were assigned to large trucks:

• Running out of the travel lane, either into another lane or off the road (32 percent of the large trucks in the LTCCS sample were assigned this critical event)
• Vehicle loss of control due to traveling too fast for conditions, cargo shift, vehicle systems failure, poor road conditions, or other reasons (29 percent)
• Colliding with the rear end of another vehicle in the truck's travel lane (22 percent).”

In conducting the study the researchers classified hundreds of “associated factors” for every vehicle in the accidents. The researchers found that:

“In descending order, the top 10 factors coded for large trucks and their drivers were:

• Brake problems
• Traffic flow interruption (congestion, previous crash)
• Prescription drug use
• Traveling too fast for conditions
• Unfamiliarity with roadway
• Required to stop before crash (traffic control device, crosswalk)
• Over-the-counter drug use
• Inadequate surveillance
• Fatigue.”

It will turn your life upside down when you, or a family member, were injured in a trucking accident. You are in pain. You may be angry that that a trucking company could have been so careless and endangered you and your family. You life is disrupted due to frequent doctor’s appointments, missed work and lost income level. On top of this, on the other side, will be an insurance company claims adjuster or high priced attorney. They will try to minimize your problems and hope that you will just give up.

When we take on accident cases, we work hard to discover all the facts which will support your claim and to recover all the damages that the law will allow including compensation for pain and suffering, reimbursement of lost wages and payment of medical bills. We understand that insurance adjusters may not be sympathetic to your problems. We believe that compassion for our clients and attention to detail can relieve the burden of dealing with stressful personal injury matters.

Todd C. Passman, P.A. handles truck Accident cases serving Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach, Stuart, and Okeechobee, Florida, and surrounding areas. Our highway (I-95) is one of the most dangerous in the country. Our experienced personal injury attorney is ready to fight for you.

If you, a family member or a friend have suffered a personal injury in a truck accident, or have questions please contact Todd C. Passman today, at (772) 465-9806 or or fill out the contact form. Someone from our office will contact you right away.

Sources:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/research-and-analysis/large-truck-crash-causation-study-analysis-brief
https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/i-95-is-the-second-deadliest-highway-in-us-7869673

 

What should I do immediately after a truck accident in Florida?

After a truck accident in Florida, call 911 immediately, seek medical attention, and report the crash to law enforcement.

Truck accident victims should also:

• Photograph the accident scene
• Obtain witness contact information
• Collect the truck driver’s employer and insurance information
• Request the police crash report number

Commercial trucking accidents often involve catastrophic injuries, including spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and internal organ damage.

Important evidence in a Florida truck accident case may include:

• Black box data
• Electronic logging device (ELD) records
• Truck maintenance records
• Dash camera footage
• Driver qualification files

Trucking companies often begin investigating accidents immediately after a crash, making early evidence preservation important.

Who can be held liable in a Florida truck accident?

Liability in a Florida truck accident may involve multiple parties.

Potentially liable parties may include:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• Cargo loading companies
• Maintenance contractors
• Truck manufacturers
• Trailer owners

Commercial trucking companies must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations governing:

• Driver hours
• Vehicle maintenance
• Cargo loading
• Driver qualifications

Truck accident investigations often involve reviewing:

• Driver logs
• Black box data
• Inspection reports
• Drug and alcohol testing records
• Electronic logging device data

Multiple insurance policies are often involved in commercial truck accident claims.

How are truck accidents different from regular car accidents?

Truck accidents are generally more complex than regular car accidents because commercial trucking companies are regulated by both Florida law and federal trucking regulations.

Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, increasing the likelihood of catastrophic injuries and fatalities.

Truck accident claims may involve:

• FMCSA regulations
• Electronic logging devices
• Driver fatigue rules
• Truck maintenance records
• Cargo loading requirements
• Multiple liable parties

Commercial trucking companies and insurers often deploy investigators immediately after serious crashes to reduce financial exposure and defend claims.

How much is a truck accident settlement worth in Florida?

Florida truck accident settlements depend on injury severity, medical costs, lost income, liability evidence, and available insurance coverage.

Truck accident claims often involve substantial damages because commercial truck crashes frequently cause:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Severe fractures
• Permanent disabilities
• Wrongful death

Compensation in a Florida truck accident claim may include:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability damages

Commercial trucking companies often carry large insurance policies, but insurers aggressively defend high-value injury claims.

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Florida?

Florida law generally gives truck accident victims two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Important trucking evidence may only be retained for limited periods of time, including:

• Black box data
• Driver logs
• Dash camera footage
• GPS records
• Maintenance reports

Early investigation is often critical because trucking companies may quickly repair vehicles, overwrite electronic records, or lose evidence relevant to the claim.

Claims involving wrongful death or government entities may involve different legal deadlines.

What causes most truck accidents in Port St. Lucie?

Most truck accidents in Port St. Lucie involve preventable negligence.

Common causes of commercial truck accidents include:

• Driver fatigue
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Improper lane changes
• Brake failures
• Overloaded cargo
• Impaired driving
• Truck maintenance failures

Major trucking routes near Port St. Lucie include:

• Interstate 95
• Florida’s Turnpike
• US-1

Federal trucking regulations limit driver hours and require routine truck inspections, but violations still contribute to serious truck accidents throughout Florida.

Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?

Truck accident victims should be cautious when speaking with trucking company insurance adjusters.

Commercial insurance adjusters often request:

• Recorded statements
• Medical releases
• Early settlement agreements

Insurance companies may attempt to reduce payouts by arguing:

• The victim was partially at fault
• Injuries are less severe than claimed
• Medical treatment was unnecessary
• Pre-existing injuries caused symptoms

Truck accident claims often involve significant financial exposure because of severe injuries and large commercial insurance policies.

Recorded statements and signed documents may later be used against the injured person during settlement negotiations or litigation.

Can I sue the trucking company after a truck accident?

Yes. Florida truck accident victims may sue trucking companies when company negligence contributed to the crash.

A trucking company may be liable for:

• Negligent hiring
• Poor driver training
• FMCSA regulation violations
• Improper truck maintenance
• Unsafe scheduling practices
• Cargo loading violations

Truck accident lawsuits often require investigation into:

• Driver qualification files
• Safety inspection records
• Black box data
• Driver hour violations
• Maintenance logs

Commercial trucking companies are often defended by large insurance carriers and legal teams immediately after serious accidents.

What evidence is important in a truck accident case?

Truck accident claims often depend on preserving commercial trucking evidence that does not exist in ordinary car accident cases.

Important truck accident evidence may include:

• Black box data
• Electronic logging device records
• Truck maintenance reports
• GPS tracking data
• Dash camera footage
• Driver qualification files
• Drug and alcohol testing results
• Police crash reports

This evidence may help establish:

• Driver fatigue
• Speed
• Braking activity
• Hours driven
• Mechanical failures
• FMCSA regulation violations

Some trucking records may only be retained for short periods of time, making early evidence preservation important.

Do I need a lawyer after a truck accident in Florida?

Truck accident cases are often more legally complex than ordinary car accident claims because they may involve federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and large commercial insurance policies.

A Florida truck accident lawyer may help:

• Investigate the crash
• Preserve trucking evidence
• Identify liable parties
• Handle insurance negotiations
• Calculate long-term damages
• File a lawsuit if necessary

Truck accident claims frequently involve:

• Catastrophic injuries
• Permanent disabilities
• Wrongful death claims
• Multiple insurance carriers
• Commercial trucking companies

Commercial insurers often aggressively defend truck accident claims because settlement values are frequently substantial.

 

Call us at (772) 465-9806 to schedule your Free Consultation or fill out the contact form.