Causes of Truck Accidents in Winter Park
Were you involved in a truck accident in Winter Park, FL? If you’ve suffered injuries in a truck crash through no fault of your own, you may have the right to pursue financial relief from the party or parties responsible for the accident.
An experienced truck accident attorney can investigate the crash, recover evidence, and pinpoint the cause of the collision so you can pursue compensation and justice from those at fault. At Paul Knopf Bigger, our lawyers protect the rights of injury victims throughout Winter Park. Contact our office today for a free initial consultation with our Winter Park truck accident attorneys.
What Common Factors Contribute to Winter Park, FL, Truck Accidents?
Various factors can contribute to the occurrence of a truck accident. Many causes of truck collisions involve negligence or recklessness by a truck driver or trucking company. However, other circumstances can lead to truck crashes, including defective equipment and poor driving conditions.
Some of the most frequent causes of truck accidents in Winter Park, FL, include:
- Drowsy driving and hours-of-service violations
- Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Distracted driving
- Tailgating or following too closely
- Failure to check blind spots
- Inadequate driver training
- Overloaded trucks
- Improperly secured loads
- Brake failure
- Poor truck or parts maintenance
- Poor road conditions, including potholes and debris in the road
- Poor highway or intersection design
Common Types of Commercial Truck Accidents in Winter Park, FL
Commercial trucks are involved in various types of accidents. Some of the most common include the following:
- Rear-End Collisions – Rear-end collisions occur when a commercial truck strikes the rear of another vehicle, often due to tailgating or distracted driving.
- Head-On Collisions – A head-on collision occurs when a commercial truck collides directly with the front of another vehicle, which can happen when a truck veers over the center line or median into oncoming traffic or travels the wrong way down a one-way street.
- Sideswipe Collisions – A sideswipe collision occurs when a commercial truck scrapes along or bumps the side of another vehicle in an adjacent lane, often due to a truck driver making an unsafe lane change.
- Underride Accidents – Underride accidents happen when a passenger car gets wedged underneath a trailer’s side or rear overhang.
- Side-Impact or T-Bone Collisions – A side-impact or T-bone collision occurs when the front of a commercial truck collides with the side of another vehicle. These collisions often occur when a truck driver runs a red light or fails to stop at an intersection.
- Wide-Turn Accidents – Because trucks are so long, commercial trucks must make wide turns on narrow city streets. Improper turning procedures or failing to check blind spots can lead to a collision when a truck makes a wide turn.
- Jackknife Accidents – A truck jackknifes when its trailer swings out from the direction of travel and forward toward the truck’s cab or when a truck driver attempts to take a sharp turn, causing the cab and trailer to fold like a pocketknife.
- Rollover Accidents – Unbalanced truck cargo can cause an 18-wheeler to tip over, especially on a banked road or when a truck jackknifes.
- Runaway or Road-Departure Accidents – When a commercial truck’s brakes fail, the truck driver may lose control of the vehicle and run off the roadway.
- Cargo Accidents – Excessive or unbalanced cargo weight or unsecured cargo can cause a truck to jackknife, roll over, or spill its cargo onto other vehicles or the road.
Who Could Be Responsible for a Truck Crash in Winter Park, FL?
The trucking industry comprises multiple companies, so more than one party could bear some fault for a truck crash. Depending on the cause and circumstances of a truck accident, the following individuals and entities could be liable:
- The Truck Driver
- The Trucking Company – A trucking company may bear liability for a truck crash either as the employer of an at-fault truck driver or when the company’s negligence leads to an accident, such as inadequate truck or trailer maintenance or negligent hiring and supervision of drivers.
- The Truck’s Owner – A third party other than the truck driver or trucking company might own the truck involved in the crash. If so, the truck owner may bear responsibility for a truck crash caused by inadequate vehicle maintenance.
- The Shipping Company – Shipping companies responsible for loading cargo onto a truck or trailer may bear responsibility for a truck crash caused by an unsafe cargo load, such as excessive or unbalanced cargo weight.
- The Truck or Trailer Manufacturer or Truck Part Manufacturers – The truck or trailer manufacturer or manufacturers of parts or equipment used on the truck or trailer may be liable for a truck crash caused by a design or manufacturing defect leading to a mechanical failure.
- The Truck’s Mechanic – Some truck owners and operators rely on third-party auto shops or mechanics to service their vehicles. Truck mechanics may be responsible for a truck accident caused by a mechanical issue resulting from negligent maintenance or repair work.
What Evidence Could Show What Caused a Trucking Accident?
Trucking accident cases frequently involve more evidence than other auto accident cases because state and federal regulations require trucking companies to keep extensive records of their operations. These documents may contain information that provides evidence proving fault for the truck accident.
At Paul Knopf Bigger, our experienced Winter Park truck accident attorneys thoroughly prepare truck accident claims by reviewing evidence such as:
- The truck driver’s hours-of-service logs
- The truck driver’s pre-trip inspection reports
- The truck’s event data recorder (“black box”) logs
- The truck’s cargo or load manifest
- Trucking company dispatch records
- The truck’s GPS data
- The truck driver’s cell phone records
- The truck driver’s post-accident drug and alcohol test results
- The truck’s maintenance records
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage
- Dashcam or in-cab camera footage
- Accident scene photos and videos
- Eyewitness testimony
- Post-accident truck inspection and repair records
- Police accident reports
- Accident reconstruction reports and testimony
Florida Truck Accident Statistics
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 43,671 commercial motor vehicle accidents statewide in one recent year. These accidents led to a total of 361 fatalities and 11,392 injuries. Orange County had 2,632 commercial motor vehicle accidents that same year, leading to 12 fatalities and 971 cases of injury.
How Long Do You Have to File a Trucking Accident Lawsuit in Winter Park, FL?
Under Florida’s statute of limitations for negligence claims, you usually have only two years from the accident date to file a trucking accident lawsuit. If you file your suit after the two-year deadline, you risk losing the opportunity to pursue compensation in civil court.
Talk to a truck accident lawyer at Paul Knopf Bigger as soon as possible to determine the deadline for filing your truck accident lawsuit and to get help filing your case on time.
How a Winter Park, FL, Trucking Accident Lawyer Handles Your Case
Hiring a trucking accident lawyer in Winter Park, FL, to represent you in your case against a trucker or trucking company can give you peace of mind while healing from your physical and emotional injuries. A trucking accident lawyer can handle all the details of preparing and pursuing your legal claims, giving you the time and space to focus on your treatment and rehabilitation.
A Winter Park, FL, truck accident attorney from Paul Knopf Bigger can help your case by:
- Investigating the truck crash and gathering crucial evidence to build a compelling case in support of your right to compensation
- Identifying all potentially liable parties, including those at fault for causing the crash and other parties who may have vicarious liability, such as a trucking company that employs the at-fault truck driver
- Documenting your injuries and losses and working with medical, vocational, and financial experts to calculate the maximum compensation you need for your past and future losses
- Evaluating your legal options, including identifying applicable insurance coverage
- Filing insurance claims and demand letters on your behalf to pursue financial relief for you as efficiently as possible
- Negotiating with the trucking company representatives and insurance adjusters to fight for a fair settlement
- Taking your case to court and representing you at trial if the trucking or insurance companies refuse to agree to the settlement that you deserve
Contact a Winter Park, FL, Trucking Accident Attorney Today
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a commercial truck in Winter Park, you need an experienced attorney to help you pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The seasoned legal team at Paul Knopf Bigger has the knowledge and resources to build a robust case against a negligent truck driver or trucking company and seek maximum compensation. Our lawyers fight for justice for innocent injury victims in Winter Park, FL, and throughout the state.
Contact our office today for a free initial consultation with a Winter Park, FL, trucking accident lawyer.