When you are out driving around and you end up next to a large truck, we know you probably have the same thought that many of us do – “Let me go ahead and get around this thing or back up a bit.”
We are not talking about pickup trucks, but larger commercial vehicles. It is not that larger trucks get into more accidents than other vehicles on the roadway, but we know that they can cause serious damage if something does happen. We see stories about large truck accidents all the time and always hope it never happens to us.
But what if it does?
If you need a truck accident attorney, you can count on Vladimir Tsirkin & Associates, P.A. to be by your side. If a truck driver or company is responsible for your injuries, we will work to recover the compensation you deserve.
Federal And State Statistics
Think about how many large commercial trucks you see in and around Fort Lauderdale on a daily basis. They can include:
- Eighteen-wheelers
- Dump trucks
- Trash pick-up trucks
- Package delivery trucks
- And more
There are thousands all around us, all performing vital functions for our society and economy. Truck traffic has increased recently as more people shift to buying items online. In the United States, there are more than 15.5 million trucks on the roadways. Each of those has the potential to cause harm.
Across the country, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration tells us that Florida is one of the deadliest states when it comes to large truck crash fatalities.
If we look at the latest reports from Florida, we know that there were hundreds of people injured across the state in large truck accidents and that many of them were what the state considers incapacitating injuries.
Devastating Injuries
Because of the size of these trucks, they have the potential to cause catastrophic injuries in an accident. Consider that each of them, when carrying a full load, weighs tens of thousands of pounds, and you can imagine what could happen in an accident.
Commercial trucks often haul hazardous materials, making any potential crash an even more dangerous situation. It is not uncommon for people to sustain the following injuries in a truck accident:
- Traumatic brain injuries or other head injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries that often leave a victim with partial or full paralysis.
- Severe lacerations or even amputations.
- Severe bone damage or crush injuries.
- Internal bleeding or organ damage.
The most immediate concern is stabilizing someone after an accident, but these injuries often involve extensive medical procedures, including surgery. The medical costs of these injuries can rise into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, especially if long-term medical care is needed. If a person is disabled and can no longer work, their family will lose their income and benefits, a hidden cost that most insurance companies do not consider when determining settlement payments.
Truck-Failure Is A Problem
It is up to truck companies and individual owners to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy. If they do not perform regular inspections and maintenance, they are inviting disaster. Many truck accidents are caused by a failure of one or more vital system, including:
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Wheels/tires
- Axels
- Powertrain
- And more
If a part of the truck fails while moving at high speeds, the driver will likely lose control of the vehicle.
Driver-Related Causes
We also know that there are times when the actions of truck drivers lead to an accident. It is up to companies to ensure that every truck driver obtains and maintains their commercial driver’s license. All drivers must be trained to operate each vehicle they are asked to drive.
- Drivers should obey all speed and traffic laws.
- 6% of these crashes in the US were due to driver distraction. The main distraction was related to cell phone usage. Distracted driving is a leading cause of major truck accidents.
- Drivers should never operate a truck while impaired by drugs or alcohol. Doing so will almost always lead to someone being harmed.
- There are strict regulations regarding how many hours a driver can operate each day as well as how much weight they can carry. If these are not followed, serious accidents can occur.
Truck Accident Lawyer Fort Lauderdale
If you end up next to a large truck while driving around, you probably have the same thought as many of us do: what would happen if the truck driver is asleep at the wheel.
If you need a Fort Lauderdale Truck accident lawyer to be by your side at the time of need, you can count on Vladimir Tsirkin and Associates. We will work tirelessly to recover the compensation you deserve if you were injured in a truck accident.
The Job Of An Attorney
While you may think you can handle this alone, you should know that truck accident with injuries can become complex cases. You are not simply dealing with personal insurance issues. Now, commercial companies are involved as well as their insurance companies. Even if it is clear they are at fault, they will fight it.
A qualified and experienced attorney will work to organize your case, beginning with obtaining documentation from police reports, gathering any surveillance of the accident, and getting witness statements. An attorney can help guide you when it comes to continuing medical treatment so there is no question as to whether or not you sustained an injury.
It is important that you do not make any statement to an insurance company before you speak with an attorney. Companies will record your statement and can use them against you if you say the wrong thing. Do not allow that to happen.
After A Major Accident
It is important to act quickly if you or a loved one are injured in an accident with a large truck. Insurance companies move quickly and rarely offer a settlement amount that will cover all of your accident-related expenses. Vladimir Tsirkin & Associates, P.A. will step in and be your advocate when you need a Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorney. We understand the complexities of these cases and can walk you through the entire process.
We know you need help with medical expenses as well as the hidden costs that come with accidents. We will work to secure coverage for everything including lost wages and benefits as well as pain and suffering damages. We will even move to secure punitive damages.You can contact us for a free consultation by calling 800-992-7274.
More questions?
