Articles Posted in Truck Accidents

Distracted driving is defined as any behavior that can cause a driver to lose their focus on the task of operating their vehicle safely. When this happens, other drivers, passengers, and innocent bystanders are all placed in very real danger. While truck drivers are paid a living to drive, they are not immune to the effects that distractions can have on driving capabilities.

A distracted truck driver is a recipe for disaster as the size and weight of a semi or box truck can create major damage if an accident occurs.

Watch our Distracted Truck Driver Accident Video to Learn More About How We Can Help 

Below we have outlined the top 3 distracting tasks common for truck drivers:

1. Texting while driving. This is dangerous in any vehicle, but in a tractor-trailer that weighs 10,000 + pounds, an accident that results can be catastrophic. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that all drivers who send and receive text messages while behind the wheel take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds out of every 6 seconds. When traveling at 55 mph, this translates to a motorist driving more than 100 yards without looking at the road. Fortunately, federal law bans truck drivers from texting while driving a commercial vehicle weighing more than 10,000 pounds. A truck driver found to be in violation of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s DOT 14-10 can result in their disqualification as well as civil and/or criminal penalties of up to $2,750 for individual drivers and up to $11,000 for trucking companies that require or permit their drivers to text and drive. Keep in mind, while texting and driving is prohibited amongst truck drivers, this does not mean driver will not engage in this dangerous activity.

2. Eating while driving. Truck drivers have a lot of deadlines placed on them – their job is to get their loads to their drop off points swiftly. They are on tight schedules that can prevent them from taking very necessary and important breaks, so they may feel forced to eat a meal while they are also driving. As we all know, driving requires 100% of our focus, and you cannot divide your attention between two different things.
3. Setting up and adjusting podcasts, playlists, and other entertainment methods. Truck drivers communicate with each other through radios, but using this equipment while driving can place focus elsewhere, leading to a crash. Moreover, truck drivers are on the road for lengthy periods of time, so it not uncommon for them to become distracted by adjusting radio dials, audio books, podcasts, and other entertainment methods or even navigation systems.

If you have been injured in a truck accident that was caused by a truck driver who was partaking in risky activities, like texting or talking on a cell phone, eating or drinking, or adjusting their radio or playlists, then you need to call our Florida Truck Accident Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton for a free initial consultation – 866-608-5529. We have decades of experience handling truck accident cases and will provide you with the aggressive legal representation you need to recover the full and fair compensation you are entitled to. Continue reading

A biker was killed in a fatal wreck involving a large truck on Interstate 4 in Polk County on Monday night around 7:30 p.m.

Reports indicate that the 52-year-old motorcyclist was riding his 2015 Harley Davidson heading west in I-4 when a trooper who was assisting a construction crew crashed into him. The biker was thrown from his Harley Davidson motorcycle and landed in the path of a big rig, which ran him over.

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, according to troopers.

The trooper and the driver of the tractor trailer were not harmed in the crash.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has compiled data involving collisions with large trucks for the latest year available – 2018. They have recorded approximately 499,000 large truck accidents for 2018, with 4,415 fatalities and 107,000 injuries. Most fatal accidents involving semi-trucks occur on Interstates and at night between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. For 2018, the majority of fatal truck accidents (82%) did not involve any occupants of the large truck.

Truck transport is growing by the day in the United States, and 70% of all products reach their destination by some type of delivery truck. With so many trucks on the roadways, we have seen a surge in accidents and injuries caused by these enormous vehicles carrying all sorts of cargo. Due to their size and weight, large trucks can cause very serious injuries when a crash occurs, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal bleeding, head and neck injuries, and more. If a person is lucky enough to survive a crash with a big rig, then they are most likely looking at immediate medical attention and numerous surgeries, which can become quite costly rather quickly.

A large truck is classified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as any vehicle that weighs over 10,000 pounds. The vast majority of truck accidents are not caused by drugs or alcohol, but rather mechanical defects, driver’s switching to new routes, and truck driver fatigue. Issues with tires, wheels, steering wheel defects, brakes, and the weight of the truck are all top contributors of crashes. Large trucks weigh much more than a normal vehicle, and sometimes large trucks surpass 40 tons where a regular passenger vehicle weighs approximately 2.5 tons. Because of the weight of their cargo, large trucks require a greater stopping distance than a traditional passenger vehicle, especially when cargo Is not loaded properly and evenly. While a passenger vehicle may only need 300 feet to come to a complete stop after hitting the brake, a large truck usually needs double that length – around 525 feet – in order to completely stop.

Big rigs injure or kill a person every 15 minutes in the U.S. This adds up to a great deal of accidents, injuries, and deaths. If you or a loved one has been involved in a crash with a large truck, you may be wondering what you can do to hold the at-fault driver accountable for your suffering. Our Florida Truck Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton are here to help guide you through the recovery process. We can be the ally you need during this difficult time, not just your legal advocate. We understand how devastating these accidents are and will listen to your side of the story and take the stress of these situations off your shoulders so that you can focus on what is truly important: getting better.

Truck accidents are quite different from traditional car accidents. When you are involved in a crash with another driver, it is usually that driver that you file a suit against. Trucking accidents can have multiple parties that are responsible, such as the truck driver, the truck company, the loading company responsible for the cargo, the manufacturer of the truck parts, and the maintenance crews responsible for safety inspections. Truck accidents can also involve both state and federal laws, further complicating these matters. You need an attorney who knows trucking regulations and laws and has the resources needed to fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve. Continue reading

A 28-year-old Dade City man was killed Saturday night when the pickup truck he was driving rolled over and ejected him. 

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) believes the man has issues negotiating a curve in the road around 10:50 p.m. near Zephyrhills. 

His truck left the road and rolled over on the shoulder. He was not wearing a seatbelt, according to the FHP. 

Any type of motor vehicle crash can be dangerous, but a truck rollover is especially risky as the truck usually crushes whatever is in its path. A pickup rollover collision can result in serious injuries and even death. If you or someone you love has been involved in a truck rollover crash, you need legal help right away so that you can understand whether or not you can seek financial compensation for the damages incurred in the accident. Our Tampa Truck Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can help you determine if you can file a personal injury or wrongful death claim. 

Trucks can rollover for a variety of reasons, but the two main ones include having an uneven load and driver error. Our Truck Accident Lawyers often see rollovers happen as a result of: 

• Speeding and failing to negotiate a curve in the road
• Speeding in inclement weather 
• Steering errors
• Poorly loaded cargo
• Cargo that has not been secured properly 

What Should I Do After a Truck Accident in Tampa? 

• Get Police to the Scene 

You absolutely MUST file an accident report when you are involved in a crash with a truck. Even if you think you are not injured and there is no damage or very little damage to your car, you need to get a police report of the crash so that you have this crucial piece of evidence if your case does move forward to trial. 

• Get Medical Care ASAP

After any type of crash, you need to make sure you get medical attention as your health is the number one priority. Certain types of injuries may not show symptoms for a few weeks or months, so you need to get checked out by a doctor to rule out any injuries. Keep in mind that if you refuse medical care, then this could be used against you later on in court. 

• File a Report with Your Insurance Company 

This is where things can get tricky. Our Tampa Truck Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can walk you through this process and make sure you do not say anything that may be used against you later on. But, if you speak with insurance adjusters before reaching out to us, just remember to watch what you say and keep conversations at the scene of the crash to a minimum. If you end up speaking with the at-fault party’s insurance provider, stick to the facts and don’t offer up any extra information. 

• Call Our Tampa Truck Accident Lawyers at 813-221-3200 or Contact Us Online

We are truck accident attorneys in Tampa that understand the complicated liability factors that arise in truck accident cases. We will immediately gather evidence for your case, contact the insurance companies involved, and fight for your rightful compensation.  Continue reading