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At MLG Injury, our Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida personal injury attorneys know that our southern states rely heavily on semi-truck traffic to meet our economic needs. The reality is, just over 72% of all consumer goods are transported by 18-wheelers throughout the country. That means heavy commercial vehicle traffic is common on our interstates, city streets, and rural roads.

Just as driver negligence is a common cause of passenger vehicle collisions, commercial truck accidents are also commonly caused by drivers who are distracted, intoxicated, or speeding.

Unfortunately, those are not the only causes of truck accidents. Here are some of the most common ways truck drivers and trucking companies are placing the public at risk.

Most Commercial Truck Accidents in Florida, Louisiana & Mississippi Can Be Prevented

When an 18-wheeler collides with a much smaller passenger vehicle, the crash and injuries that result are often catastrophic or even fatal.

In addition to distractions, impairment, and violating the speed limit or other laws of the road, other catastrophic semi-truck accidents are caused by driver fatigue. When drivers do not take the required rest breaks and time off, they are not only exhausted — which is just as dangerous as driving impaired — they are violating the federally-mandated Hours-of-Service regulations.

Hours of Service violations are often the result of drivers forcing extra pick-ups or deliveries to get home faster, or trucking companies providing driver incentives to pick up/deliver more in less time.

As the holidays draw near, increases in shipping and delivery needs also increase driver demand, which can result in trucking companies placing incompetent, inexperienced, and potentially dangerous truck drivers on our roadways.

When trucking companies place profits over safety, they may avoid running background checks, or fail to administer medical, drug, and alcohol screenings for drivers to ensure they are physically capable of operating a potentially 80,000-pound vehicle.

The U.S. Department of Transportation annually publishes the National Training Standards for New Truck and Bus Drivers, which requires all related employers to properly train their employees before they can operate these large vehicles.

When they fail to do so, they violate federal trucking industry standards and may be held liable for any collision that occurs as a result.

Have You Been Injured or Lost a Loved One in a Florida, Louisiana, or Mississippi Truck Accident? We Can Help.

Contact our skilled Mississippi Louisiana or Florida truck accident attorneys at MLG Injury to schedule a free consultation today by calling 888-904-2524 to learn how we can help you pursue the negligent party that caused your injuries, so you can make informed decisions about your case, and get your life back on track.

At MLG Injury, our Florida truck accident attorneys know that commercial trucks, including semi-trucks and other heavy cargo vehicles, require approximately 350 feet to come to a complete stop when traveling at 60mph.

Because of the truck’s weight and depending on the speed at which the truck driver is traveling, the required stopping distance between the truck and a much smaller passenger vehicle can become impossible. When that is true, the occupants of the car, light truck, or SUV the truck driver collides with will pay the price.

Who Is Liable for a Florida Truck Accident When the Commercial Vehicle Does Not Stop in Time?

If you have been injured in a Florida truck accident because the vehicle could not stop in time to avoid a crash, there may be more than one person or party responsible for the collision, injuries, or fatalities.

That may include:

• The Truck Driver

When truck drivers are following another motorist too closely, are distracted, speeding, fatigued, or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, he or they may not have ample time or room to brake without causing a collision.

• The Truck’s Maintenance Crew

Semi-trucks require proper, on-time, and accurate maintenance to ensure they are operating safely.

When a commercial vehicle’s maintenance crew fails to correct a problem with the brakes, they could fail when the driver attempts to stop.

• The Trucking Company

In many cases, the trucking company is responsible for the commercial vehicle’s maintenance. When they fail to maintain their fleets to ensure they are safe, they could be responsible for the crash that results.

Other times, the trucking company may be putting profits ahead of public safety, placing fatigued, inexperienced, or improperly trained drivers on the road, which can lead to collisions.

• The Truck or Truck Parts Manufacturers

A manufacturing or design defect can compromise the safety of an oversized truck, especially when braking is a factor. The truck’s inability to stop — due to a manufacturing or design defect — can cause substantial injuries and fatalities throughout Florida.

• Cargo Companies

Improperly loaded or secured cargo can cause a commercial vehicle’s weight to shift, delaying its ability to stop.

Our Florida personal injury attorneys can help you determine who is liable for the crash and pursue their insurance coverage(s) for your full financial recovery.

Contact Our Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers in Florida for a Free Consultation

Contact our experienced Florida truck accident attorneys at MLG Injury to schedule a free consultation today by calling 888-904-2524 to learn how we can help you pursue the liable party’s insurance coverage for your complete financial recovery.