Have You Been Injured In A Truck Accident In South Florida?

Truck accidents often result in serious injuries or wrongful death, and the legal issues can be complex, as both state and federal law govern the trucking industry. That is why you need an experienced Florida truck accident lawyer to help you fight for your rights and get the compensation you need and deserve.

I am Jared K. Newman, Esq., and I am dedicated to providing professional and vigorous representation to truck accident victims and their families. My firm, Jared Newman, Esq., has the resources and staff to tackle complicated and challenging personal injury cases, including truck accident claims. Call my office at 954-495-8500 for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.

Common Types Of Truck Accidents In Florida

Automotive vehicle accidents are, unfortunately, part of driving. However, when large commercial trucks are involved, the resulting injuries are often serious or deadly. Truck accidents happen for various reasons and the severity of injuries often is related to the type of crash. Types of accidents include:

• Jackknife: Large tractor-trailers, or 18-wheelers, are coupled together. When the trailer becomes off-balance or a driver executes a sudden maneuver, the trailer can swing out perpendicular to the cab. This type of dangerous accident is commonly referred to as a “jackknife.” When a trailer is swinging out of control, it can damage multiple vehicles and injure many people.
• Runaway trucks: Large commercial trucks are difficult to control. Should a driver lose control of their truck, either because of the road conditions, their speed or a malfunction, the truck becomes a potentially deadly weapon, crushing any vehicle in its path. These types of accidents typically occur when a roadway or highway drastically slopes downhill.
• Override: Rear-end collisions between two cars often result in damage to the vehicle and maybe cases of whiplash. However, when a truck rear-ends a much smaller vehicle, the resulting accident can be a catastrophic override. An override occurs when a truck actually drives on and over the smaller car, crushing it and anyone inside.
• Underride: When a truck rides over a smaller vehicle, the resulting injuries can be fatal. However, it is also possible that a car drives under a large truck that has suddenly stopped or improperly changed lanes. In many cases, an underride accident is a fatal one for anyone sitting in the front seat.
• Rollovers: Large commercial trucks have high centers of gravity. Therefore, it is not uncommon for them to tip over if a truck driver is reckless or careless, especially when turning or driving around a curve. When a truck rolls over, it can crush any smaller vehicle that is alongside it at the time. Even in situations when a rollover accident does not involve another vehicle, it can begin a chain reaction of events that results in other accidents.
• Cargo spills: Not every truck accident involves a direct impact between the truck and another vehicle. When cargo spills or falls from a truck, it can crash into vehicles that are close by or leave dangerous debris on the road surface. These types of accidents are more common with flatbed trucks.

While the type of accident will impact the severity of a victim’s injuries, the actual causes of these crashes are similar to why other accidents occur on Florida highways. Truck drivers who are driving distracted, including texting or surfing the internet on their smartphones, present a risk to all other motorists. Some truck drivers are also spending too many hours on the road, violating federal and state regulations and resulting in situations in which they are operating their rigs while overly tired. I am dedicated to holding these irresponsible drivers and their employers liable for the harm they cause.

Determining Fault In A Florida Truck Accident Case

if you are a victim of a truck accident or have lost a family member in a fatal crash, you might be entitled to obtain financial compensation through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. To be successful, you will have to show that another party’s negligence caused the accident and resulting injuries.

The first determination that an experienced Florida truck accident lawyer will have to make is identifying which party or parties were at fault. Due to the nature of the trucking industry, there are usually more potential liable parties than just the truck driver.

In most truck accident cases, the driver could be held liable if they were reckless, careless or otherwise exercising poor judgment. Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fatigued or intentionally ignoring traffic rules and regulations are reasons that a truck driver could be held responsible for an accident.

Because of the relationship between a driver and a trucking company, the company itself could be held liable for an accident. There are situations in which a trucking company’s business practices also open the company up to liability. For example, not conducting thorough background checks on drivers or improperly maintaining its fleet of trucks could be grounds for establishing liability.

In other cases, the truck itself malfunctions because of a poorly designed system or a manufacturing flaw. When this occurs, the company that built the truck could share responsibility for any damage or injuries.

Under Florida law, compensation awards in a personal injury lawsuit are based on the percentage that an at-fault party contributed to an injury. Therefore, it is crucial to include all potentially liable parties in your claim.

Call Jared Newman, Esq., For A Free Consultation

Personal injury cases are often challenging and require a knowledgeable and experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney. When an accident involves a large commercial truck, you need an attorney and firm that focuses on complex litigation. At Jared Newman, Esq., I am committed to providing vigorous representation for truck accident victims. To schedule a free consultation to review your case, call my office at 954-495-8500.

I handle all vehicle accidents involving the following:

• Cars
• Motorcycles
• Trucks
• Commercial vehicles
• Bicycles, scooters and skateboards
• Boats
• Water sport and personal watercraft
• Rideshares (Uber and Lyft)

You should never have to suffer due to the negligence of others who:

• Drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Fail to observe traffic regulations
• Text and drive
• Drive tired and distracted