All drivers are human and will occasionally make mistakes while behind the wheel. However, certain facts about the trucking industry make trucks especially dangerous. Below are a few of the most common causes of South Florida truck accidents:
Drowsy Driving – Trucking companies pay drivers according to the number of miles they travel per day. As such, both trucking companies and truck drivers are under enormous pressure to meet deadlines. The result is that truck drivers tend to stay on the road as long as possible, compromising their ability to safely operate the truck. While federal regulations require truck drivers to take rest breaks, these rules are too often ignored.
Distracted Driving – Truck drivers spend hours on the road every day. To help combat the boredom that can come along with these long trips, truck drivers often engage in other activities that can take their attention away from the road—for example, texting while driving, watching television, scrolling social media, and daydreaming are all forms of distracted driving which significantly increase the chance of a serious accident.
Impaired Driving – Drunk and drugged driving continue to play a role in many South Florida truck accidents. Truck drivers may rely on prescription, over-the-counter, or even street drugs to help them stay alert. However, these substances also impact the driver’s decision-making and response time. As the effect of drugs or alcohol wears off, truckers often find themselves even more fatigued, further decreasing their abilities and increasing the likelihood of an alcohol-related accident.
Equipment Malfunctions – Truck drivers must conduct an inspection of their rig every time they set out on a trip. This includes checking the tires, brakes, lights, trailer, and other components that, if faulty, could lead to an accident. If a truck driver decides to continue a trip with defective or faulty equipment, they place everyone on the road at risk. If an accident is caused by defective equipment, the manufacturer may be liable.
Truck accidents don’t just happen. In the vast majority of cases, truck accidents are the result of driver negligence. If you’ve been injured in a Miami truck accident, the truck accident lawyers at Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada can help you understand your rights and what you can do to pursue them.
Damages in a Miami Truck AccidentDue to their size, semi-trucks are capable of causing unimaginable damage. A truck driver’s momentary lapse in judgment can forever change the life of an accident victim. By filing a personal injury lawsuit, accident victims can recover compensation for the damages they sustained in the accident. While every case is different, Florida law allows those injured in a truck accident to recover both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages in a Florida truck accident may include the following:
Additionally, accident victims can recover for their non-economic damages. Non-economic damages compensate you for the impact that the accident had on your life. For, non-economic damages in a truck accident case include payment for the pain and suffering you endured as a result of the accident.
Economic damages are often established by presenting objective evidence, such as medical bills, receipts, and paychecks. However, non-economic damages require you effectively explain how the accident affected your life. Are you unable to participate in the activities you used to enjoy? Are you still dealing with lingering injuries and nagging pain? The compassionate truck accident attorneys at Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada possess over 100 years of combined experience helping clients identify the full extent of their damages, so they can begin the process of moving on with their life.
Contact a Miami Trucking Accident Lawyer for Immediate AssistanceIf you or someone you love was recently injured in a South Florida truck accident, reach out to the law firm of Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada to discuss your case. Unlike many other local law firms that only take the biggest cases, we want to help every accident victim we can. We take an individualized approach to every case, taking the time to understand what is most important to you before developing a strategy. When you bring Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada on your side, you can rest assured that you are in caring and capable hands. We offer free consultations to all accident victims and take cases on a contingency basis, meaning you won’t pay for our representation unless and until we can secure a recovery for your injuries. To learn more, give us a call at 305-448-8585. We serve clients all over South Florida, including but not limited to Miami, Naples, Homestead, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.