Fort Lauderdale 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney

Truck accidents often result in the most debilitating injuries, including:

• traumatic brain injury
• spinal cord damage
• quadriplegia
• paraplegia
• organ damage

Unlike car accidents where only the other driver is potentially liable, in a truck accident, there may be several parties who might be included in any claim, thereby increasing your chances of being fully compensated for all losses.

Here is a partial list of potential parties:

• Truck driver
• Truck driver’s employer
• Trucking company
• Freight Owner
• Truck manufacturer
• Truck Maintenance company

Federal laws come into play with trucking accidents. This may require a higher degree of investigation than car accidents. The case will often turn on and examination of the driver’s log, a check of driver qualifications, and a review of truck maintenance records.

Your car or motorcycle is no match for a semi-truck that may weigh 10,000 to 75,000 pounds. The statistics regarding truck accidents cut both ways. Trucks account for very few accidents compared to the miles they travel, but when there is an accident the injuries are more catastrophic. One thing is clear from the statistics, the truck driver is not the one who usually dies or ends up with major injuries.

Many crashes between heavy commercial trucks and smaller trucks, cars, and motorcycles can be avoided by following these safety tips from RoadSafe America.

• Be extra alert as you approach a large truck. They behave very differently from cars.
• Avoid blind spots around trucks. If you can’t see a truck’s side mirrors, the truck driver can’t see you. One-third of all crashes between large trucks and cars take place in the blind spots around a truck.
• Do not pass a truck on the right while the truck is turning right. Trucks must swing wide to the left to negotiate right turns safely, as the rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels.
• Do not cut in front of any large vehicle, including a truck or a bus. Since they require much more distance to stop in comparison to cars, forcing a large vehicle to stop quickly can result in a fatal accident.
• Use the proper procedure to pass a large truck or bus on the highway. Accelerate slightly and maintain a consistent speed while passing. Wait until you can see the entire cab in your rear-view mirror before signaling and pulling in front of it.
• Observe a truck’s turn signals before trying to pass it. If the truck appears to be starting a left turn, check which way the driver is signaling before passing the truck on the right.
• Give trucks at least four to six seconds of space in wet conditions and at highway speeds.
• Call authorities if you see unsafe driving.
• Do not cut off a truck in traffic or on the highway to reach your exit or turn.

If you are someone you love has been injured in any a semi-truck accident, take a few minutes to call attorneys:

Harris Gilbert 786-371-4431 Cell Phone 24/7
Andrew Smallman 954-661-7371 Cell Phone 24/7