The type and severity of trucking accident injuries may vary. Factors such as road conditions, the speed at which the truck was traveling, and the point of impact in the crash, can all affect the injuries that the victim suffered.

Though this is by no means an exhaustive list, these are among the most common injuries that are associated with a trucking accident:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injury
  
• Rib and torso injuries
  
• Lacerations
  
• Loss of limb or extremity
  
• Internal injuries
  
• Paralysis
  
• Seatbelt and airbag injuries
  

It is not unusual for crash victims to suffer from more than one of these injuries, and this may mean that their quality of life will be forever negatively impacted.

An experienced truck accident lawyer knows that there can be more than one cause behind a collision. Although a cause may be relatively obvious, there can be underlying causes that must be addressed in any claim that is made. This is one of the reasons why it is critical that a thorough investigation is conducted.

These are some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Florida:

• Driver fatigue: This is a well-known and widespread problem in the trucking industry. As drivers try to keep up with a tight schedule, they are forced to forego mandatory breaks and sleeping periods. This means that they are drowsy when behind the wheel, and many dangerous, even deadly accidents, are the result.
• Inexperience: Even if you’ve only ever driven a passenger vehicle, then you know how important experience is. This is even truer for a semi-truck driver who is dealing with a much larger, heavier, and more difficult to maneuver vehicle. Sometimes, inexperience plays a major role in causing a collision.
• Use of alcohol and illicit drugs: Ideally, commercial truck drivers would never dream of being under the influence while behind the wheel. Reality is far more complicated than that. Substance abuse issues are widespread in the industry, and many drivers take drugs/stimulants (like amphetamines) to help them stick to a grueling schedule.
• Aggressive driving behavior: As holders of commercial driver’s licenses, truck drivers should know how critical it is to follow road safety rules. Unfortunately, some of them can’t seem to help themselves when it comes to quick, erratic lane changes, speeding, and other infractions that cause accidents.
• Distracted driving: Texting or talking on the phone are major problems with truck drivers. Considering how much room they need to slow down or stop, many of these accidents prove to be lethal because the driver simply can’t react fast enough.
• Poor vehicle maintenance: Sometimes, the truck itself is at least partially at fault. When it hasn’t received routine maintenance, then it is an undeniable hazard to everyone on the road.

The key to getting the compensation that you deserve after a trucking accident frequently comes down to your attorney and the quality of the investigation that is conducted. 

Not only will the attorney need to inspect the truck’s condition post-accident, but it might also be necessary to hire more than one expert witness who can testify that the truck and/or driver had little business being on the road prior to the collision.

For example, it’s critical that the truck’s black box data be thoroughly investigated, as this will reveal how the truck was being operated immediately prior to and during the accident. 

As another example, the truck accident attorney may examine the driver’s employer records to search for a history of egregious traffic violations. This can make it possible to add a claim against the company for negligent hiring and retention.

Additionally, the attorney’s investigation will bring all of the driver’s and the company’s lines of insurance into the light. Most people don’t realize that the truck and trailer may have different owners, which means that there are at least two (2) organizations that may be named in a lawsuit. 

If you have been injured in a truck accident, then it’s time to contact Your Insurance Attorney. In fact, it makes sense to do so even before you get in touch with your insurer or the insurer for the trucking company.

Why?

Because accidents that involve 18-wheelers tend to be quite complicated, and numerous factors may have contributed to the accident. It’s vital that all of these factors be identified, and that means conducting a painstaking investigation.

At Your Insurance Attorney, you’ll never pay a penny unless we win your case. When you need a truck accident attorney in Florida, look for legal counsel who is willing to go all-in on your behalf. It’s the only way for you to be certain that you’re receiving every dollar of the compensation that you deserve.