A Truck Accident Attorney Longwood, FL Trusts Discusses Common Truck Accident Causes

Accidents with tractor tailors and big rigs can cause serious injuries, property damage and even death. If you have been a victim of a truck accident, you may be entitled to financial damages. In seeking to bring responsible parties to justice, you may also help to ensure that others do not suffer as a result of similar accidents. Our Longwood, Florida truck accident attorneys are here to help you navigate the legal aftermath of your truck accident. You do not need to process this challenging time of life alone.

What is defined as a truck accident?

When we talk about a truck accident, we are referring to a commercial truck, 18-wheeler, and/or big rig. A commercial truck is used to transport goods for business purposes. Some examples of commercial trucks include delivery trucks, large freight trucks, tanker trucks and oil rig vehicles.

Why are commercial trucks more dangerous compared to other vehicles?

The drivers of these trucks have very limited visibility when it comes to seeing other vehicles. Their blind spots are quite large, causing a problem for other smaller cars when they want to merge, pass, or change lanes. Driving around commercial trucks requires diligence — as a rule of thumb, if you cannot see the truck’s rearview side mirrors, they cannot see you.

In addition, their sheer size causes many problems on the road. A typical passenger vehicle weighs around 3,000 pounds when a fully-loaded truck can tip the scales at around 70,000 pounds. As a result, accidents involving these vehicles may be particularly destructive.

What usually causes truck accidents?

Simply speaking, physics. Combine the driver’s low visibility to other cars and the mechanics of the truck such as limited acceleration and braking, and it is easier to get in an accident. With that said, the causes of truck accidents may be both complex and numerous. Yes, a driver may have low visibility, but may also have been under pressure from his or her employer to drive faster and farther than is safe. Poorly maintained roads, a defective part within the driver’s truck and any number of other factors may have contributed to your accident. When you contact a Longwood, FL truck accident attorney, you can rest assured that all possible contributing factors will be explored.

Who can I bring charges against, the driver or the truck company?

In some cases you can bring a claim against both. This is one of the reasons why it is important to schedule a consultation with a truck accident attorney in Longwood, FL. Because truck accidents tend to be particularly complex, navigating the aftermath of these incidents alone is not generally advisable. The attorneys at David & Philpot, P.L. understand how to explore liability issues and achieve maximum compensation under the circumstances because of our years of experience handling trucking accident claims.

How does the accident investigation work?

One of the first things your Longwood, FL truck accident attorney will likely do is request the truck driver’s Driver Qualification File (DQF) from their employer. This file is a legal document required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and will detail the driver’s driving history and medical records. In addition to this, your attorney will examine the footage from the truck’s electronic on-board reporter to see if the reports of the accident seem to match up to what actually happened.

After this, the attorney will collect witness testimonies, speak to medical professionals about your injuries, look over police reports, and review pictures of the accident. Once all the evidence is compiled and your attorney has formulated a solid legal strategy, the case will progress. You will remain informed every step of the way.

A Truck Accident Attorney Longwood, FL Trusts Discusses Common Truck Accident Causes

Accidents with large semis or delivery trucks are often catastrophic and deadly, primarily because of the size of the truck versus the size of the vehicle in which you are riding. This means that not only do the truck drivers have to practice safe driving, drivers of other vehicles and motorcycles also have to be cognizant of a truck driver’s presence on the road. Because of the size of the truck, minor driving mistakes on the part of the truck drivers like not using their directional when changing lanes can be disastrous when smaller vehicles are in their path and unseen by the truck driver.

At David & Philpot, P.L., we have been helping injured victims obtain the financial compensation they deserve. Call our office to meet with a skilled Longwood, FL truck accident attorney and find out how we can help.

What Common Truck Accident Scenarios Should Everyone be Alerted to While Driving in the Presence of Large Trucks?

Automobile or motorcyclists often overestimate a truck’s ability to brake, accelerate, or even see the other driver’s on the road. A truck accident attorney knows that accidents often occur when other drivers assume the truck driver will act a certain way on the road and the truck the truck cannot because of its size.

Listed below are common causes of accidents between cars and trucks where the car was driving in an unsafe manner:

• Driving where the truck driver has limited or no visibility of your vehicle
• Trying to go around the truck on the right when the truck is making a right turn and has to maneuver to the left to do so safely
• Entering the road in front of a truck without considering the truck’s capability for slowing down or changing lanes effectively
• Cutting in front of a truck to change lanes
• Turning left in front of a truck because you misjudged the speed at which the approaching truck was traveling
• Passing a truck without leaving enough room for oncoming traffic
• Not getting your stopped vehicle safely out of a travel lane or sufficiently onto the shoulder

What Are Some Incidents Where the Truck Driver Is at Fault?

A truck accident attorney in Longwood, FL understands that many of us feel some sort of anxiety as we approach to pass a big truck on the interstate. Or a bit annoyed when stuck behind a truck in the passing lane attempting to pass another truck and still traveling below the posted speed limit. Generally, we can assume truck drivers have the appropriate training and skill to properly maneuver their trucks. However, we should always exercise additional caution when coming on a truck and passing. Being proactive and observant while around trucks can possibly be the main reason an accident was avoided.  As a Florida truck accident attorney can attest, here are some of the primary causes for truck accidents when it was the fault of the driver of the commercial truck:

• Inexperience which comes from inadequate training in the areas of defensive driving, safety, and driving techniques
• Inexperience in inclement weather leading to accidents as a result of not being able to stop safely, negotiate turns or curves, changing lanes, or driving through mountainous or hilly areas with many elevation changes.
• Trucking companies give driver’s unrealistic expectations and deadlines thus encouraging drivers to drive faster and take risks.
• Trucking companies compensating drivers for delivering loads on a schedule that encourages drivers to drive for longer hours and at higher speeds.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact a truck accident attorney Longwood, FL clients recommend from David & Philpot, P.L. for a free consultation.