Semi-Truck Accidents

Semi-Truck Accidents in Florida and the United States

On the over 164,000 miles of the US National Highway System, there are millions of semi-trucks weighing over 10,000 pounds sharing the road with passenger vehicles every day. The tremendous amount of freight moved in America throughout the year would be impossible without the work of large trucks and the men and women who drive them. In 2015, the trucking industry moved 11.4 trillion dollars of freight. That is 60% of the 19 trillion dollars worth of freight moved in the US that year, according to the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

A far graver statistic, however, is in that same year there were over 4,000 deaths and 130,000 injuries involving accidents with large trucks and buses according to the US Department of Transportation. When you travel on the highway, sharing the road with semi-trucks is unavoidable, and while the majority of drivers operate their vehicle safely, the sheer numbers of trucks on the road make accidents with passenger cars also regretfully unavoidable.

If you or someone you love has been involved in an accident with a large commercial truck, it is important to discover whether the accident was the result of negligibility on the part of the driver or his or her employer. An attorney can be very helpful in this tough time of need.

Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents

Accidents involving large trucks occur due to a variety of circumstances, many of which are completely avoidable. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the following are some of the most common:

    • Vehicular brake problems
    • Semi-Truck driver traveling too fast for road conditions
    • Distracted driving by commercial trucking driver
    • Impaired driving, including alcohol and over-the-counter medication
    • Reckless driving decisions
    • Driver fatigue, sometimes due to pressure felt from the carrier company, resulting in driving an unsafe and unregulated number of hours.

Who to call if you’re involved in semi-truck accidents in Southwest Florida

When an accident happens to you, it feels like anything but a statistic. If you have been involved in an altercation involving a large commercial semi-truck, it is important to seek legal counsel to get the justice you deserve. The Southwest Florida attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz have over 50 years of legal experience in dealing with personal injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.