Truck Accident Lawyer Coral Gables, FL
Getting into a vehicle accident of any kind can be traumatizing and complicated, as a Coral Gables, FL truck accident lawyer knows. When you got into your car, you had no intention of getting into an accident and becoming injured. However, sharing the road with truck drivers means you need to be vigilant. While car accidents can certainly result in injuries–even life-threatening and fatal injuries–truck accidents are known to cause more serious injuries than your typical car crash. When you have been involved in a truck accident and need help with your injury claim, reach out to the lawyers at Perez Mayoral, P.A. We are here to help you with your claim when you are ready to move forward.
What are the differences between a truck accident claim and a car accident claim?
Sure, the obvious answer to the difference between the two accidents is that trucks are much bigger and heavier. But what does this mean for your claim?
- The injuries you sustain will likely be more serious. When you are in an accident with an 18-wheeler, that means you may have been struck by a truck that weighs anywhere between 35,000 and 80,000 pounds. On top of that, if the driver was not paying attention and did not stop in enough time, they could have been barreling down the road at high speeds. This often sets up truck accident victims for longer periods in the hospital and a greater risk of needing life-saving surgery.
- There might be more parties involved. A Coral Gables truck accident lawyer knows that the more parties that are involved in a crash, the more complicated things can get. When you file a truck accident claim, you might be dealing with the truck driver, the trucking company, the parts manufacturer, the team who loaded the truck, and even other vehicle drivers who were involved in the crash. This can draw out your truck accident claim because your lawyer will need to determine which party (or parties) are liable for your injuries. Things can become complicated when multiple parties are also filing injury claims.
- The regulations surrounding trucks and commercial vehicles. The drivers and owners of trucks know that when it comes to the safety of everyone on the road, they are held to very high standards. There are many things to maintain with trucks and drivers can only be on the road for a certain number of hours. Your lawyer will examine the regulations the trucking company and driver must abide by and see what may have been violated.
What Causes Truck Accidents?
Whether you pay no notice to them on the road or are hesitant when you need to pass them, big rigs are common on roads and it is crucial that you are especially vigilant around them. Even the most experienced truck driver who has been operating a big rig for years can get into an accident, whether it is because a part in the truck failed or the truck driver was overtired. If you were driving on the road and got into an accident with a truck driver, you should seek medical attention as quickly as possible and get the help of a lawyer who deals with truck accidents.
How do truck accidents happen?
Truck drivers have to have special licenses, take extra precautions, and go through specific training. So, how do these accidents happen? While all of this is true, it is still possible to get injured in a truck accident and when this happens, it can lead to life-threatening injuries. These trucks are often moving at very high speeds and it can be difficult for them to stop quickly.
- The driver was impaired. While it may seem surprising, truck drivers may be impaired while driving. More often, this is the case because the truck driver was using some form of painkiller or stimulant medication so that they can stay away for long hours. This can put other drivers on the road in danger when the truck driver is under the influence of whatever drug they were using.
- The driver was distracted. Just as with any other vehicle driver, truck drivers can become distracted. In some cases, this is not intentional. They may be fiddling with their radio, paying attention to something in the cab of their truck, or chatting on the phone. In other instances, a driver may use some form of distraction to try to keep them awake if they have been on the road for a long time.
- The driver was fatigued. Given their long hours, long drivers, and the pressure that comes with making their deadlines on time, truck drivers may forgo a nap that they desperately need in order to get their cargo to the destination. This can result in truck drivers taking micro naps. Additionally, the CDC has stated that being awake for 17 hours can have similar results to having a blood alcohol content of 0.05%. This means that driving while you have not had any rest can equal impaired driving and when a truck driver needs to stay awake for long periods of time, they may be driving unsafely.
- A third party is responsible. While it is easy to point the finger at the driver because they were at the scene of the accident, it is also possible that someone else entirely was responsible for the accident occurring. This could be the local government if the road was damaged, the company that loaded the truck incorrectly, or even the trucking company. Your lawyer will want to look at every possibility when it comes to who is liable for the accident that caused your injuries so that they can file a claim against the correct party.
Get Legal Help After Your Truck Accident
Truck accidents are terrifying. Your life may never be the same again and this is not something you should have to live with without fair compensation. Leave it to the team at Perez Mayoral, P.A. We care about you and your case. Contact our reliable Coral Gables truck accident lawyer to see how we can help with your claim.
