Orlando Truck Accident Attorney

One of the worst nightmares for most people is thinking about getting involved in an accident with a truck whether a tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler or other large commercial trucks. These lethal weapons dominate our roads and highways in larger numbers than at any time in the past, and the number of fatal accidents involving tracks has increased approximately ten per cent in the ten year period between 1992 and 2002. The figures may be even higher now but those are the last statistics available currently. In spite of the combined effort of trucking companies and legislators to address roadway safety with these giants, they continue to become involved in deadly accidents at an alarming rate. Unfortunately the passengers who share the road with these vehicles pay the price with their lives.

Although there are people who feel safe on the road with these trucks and would not hesitate to drive in between them, the statistics speak for themselves. Perhaps when you think of the number of hours they spend on the road, it doesn’t look bad; however, any accident is one too many. Some of the reasons that cause fatal accidents with large trucks include the following:

1. Driver error or fatigue
2. Intoxication
3. Loads that are excessively large and/or lack stability
4. Failure of the equipment
5. Driving carelessly
6. Disregarding inspection standards
7. Failure to adhere to traffic laws
8. Carrying dangerous or hazardous materials
9. Delivery deadlines that are unreasonable

Those victims who do survive trucking accidents usually do so with extensive property damage as well as serious back, neck, brain and/or spinal cord injuries that cause a complete change of the victim’s lifestyle and abilities.

According to statistics, every 16 minutes someone is killed or injured in a trucking accident, and transportation experts report that of all the accidents on the road, one out of nine involves a track. Traffic violations including speeding as well as driver fatigue are cited as the cause in more than 40 percent of fatal accidents that involve tractor trailers while people in passenger vehicles account of 98 percent of the fatalities in tractor trailer crashes. Twenty to forty percent of crashes involve driver fatigue.

In most cases of personal injury involving tractor trailers and other large trucks, you are not only going to obtain information from the driver for a potential personal injury case but also the trucking company or employer. Unlike crashes with other cars, when there is a truck involved, the employer or trucking company also must assume some level of responsibility for that driver. For instance, if the driver is speeding to meet a tight deadline or to make up time because of a traffic jam, the trucking company should assume responsibility and make certain the person to whom the goods are delivered understands the delay. This usually doesn’t happen, thus there is an increase in accidents as well as personal injury cases involving trucks and passenger vehicles.

If you are involved in an accident with a truck, make sure you have all of the information concerning the accident including the trucking company or employer. This is information you will need to provide to your personal injury attorney in the event the company is not willing to handle the case out of court. You still need your attorney so that you obtain everything to which you are entitled.