Truck accident lawsuits can be complex, especially in states like Florida, where commercial trucks frequently travel on busy highways. These cases often involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company and potentially even the truck manufacturer or its components. Determining liability can be challenging, as multiple factors may contribute to the accident, such as driver fatigue, improper maintenance, or defective equipment.
Types of truck accidents
Truck accident classifications depend on the cause and circumstances of the accident. Here is an overview of the most common types of truck accidents.
- Rear-end collisions occur when a truck hits another vehicle from behind, often due to the truck driver’s negligence in following too closely. Rear-end collisions can result in severe injuries to the other vehicle’s occupants and damage to their property.
- Rollover accidents occur when a truck overturns, usually due to high winds or a sudden change in velocity (such as when braking suddenly). Rollover accidents can be very dangerous, often resulting in fatalities.
- Side-impact collisions, also known as T-bone accidents, occur when a truck hits another vehicle from the side. Side-impact collisions often result in serious injuries, particularly to the smaller vehicle’s occupants.
- Head-on collisions are when two vehicles collide, with each vehicle facing the other, typically at high speeds. Head-on collisions are often fatal for one or both drivers involved.
- Jackknife accidents occur when a tractor-trailer’s brakes lock up, causing the trailer to skid out and fold up against the truck’s cab like a jackknife. Jackknife accidents can be very dangerous, especially if other vehicles are involved.
Significant damages
In addition to identifying the liable parties, there are also often significant damages in truck accident lawsuits. These can include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering for the victims. Given the high costs associated with commercial vehicle accidents, insurance companies and trucking companies will often fight aggressively to minimize their financial responsibility.
Building a case
To build a strong case, it is crucial to have a thorough understanding of the laws and regulations governing trucking and the technical details of the accident itself. This can include analyzing data from the truck’s electronic control module, interviewing witnesses, and consulting experts in accident reconstruction and biomechanics.
In many truck accident lawsuits, there is also a need to deal with the issue of jurisdiction. Trucks often travel across state lines, making it difficult to determine where the case should be heard and which laws apply.