West Palm Beach Truck Accident Attorneys

Alarming Truck Accident Stats in Florida

The following Florida truck accident statistics are based on the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Traffic Crash Facts Annual Report 2020:

• 2,764 traffic crashes involving light to heavy trucks in Florida resulted in injuries that ranged from mild to incapacitating and life-changing. 36 people also died from truck crashes.
• Crashes involving light trucks resulted in 387 injuries and four
• Crashes involving medium to large trucks resulted in 597 injuries and 32 deaths.
• Lucie saw 569 truck and bus crashes that resulted in 107 injuries and seven deaths in 2020.
• Palm Beach saw 2,813 truck and bus crashes that resulted in 608 injuries and 15 deaths in 2020.
• According to 2019 NHTSA FARS data, large truck crashes resulted in 340 deaths in Florida. More than half of these deaths, 174, were caused by tractor-trailers. 66 deaths were caused by trucks weighing more than 26,000 pounds, and 47 deaths were caused by trucks weighing between 10,000 pounds and 19,500 pounds.

COMMON CAUSES OF SOUTH FLORIDA TRUCK ACCIDENTS

Truck accidents that occur in and around West Palm Beach can happen for a variety of reasons. One of the most common causes of South Florida truck accidents is truck driver error and negligence. In some instances, these accidents happen when a truck driver is operating his or her vehicle in a reckless, aggressive, or careless manner under the circumstances.

For example, the truck driver may have violated a Florida rule of the road, such as by failing to yield the right of way to the proper vehicle, running a red light at a traffic intersection, or running a stop sign and colliding with another vehicle. The truck driver might have also been unlawfully tailgating another vehicle or weaving in and out of traffic without using the proper turn signals. Likewise, the truck accident may have occurred because the truck driver did not comply with federal or state motor carrier regulations – including those regulations that apply to load limits, weight limits, and overhead/undercarriage lighting on the tractor and trailer.

At other times, truck accidents occur when drivers operate their vehicles while distracted. For example, the truck driver might have been paying attention to a tablet, smartphone, or another device instead of watching the road like he or she was supposed to be doing. Serious truck accidents might also occur when drivers are intoxicated or fatigued while they are operating their vehicles on highways around West Palm Beach.

Some truck accidents are completely or partially the result of trucking company negligence. Trucking companies are responsible for hiring responsible drivers to operate their vehicles, and when they fail to hire, retain, or supervise their drivers, and those drivers are involved in accidents, the trucking company could be fully or partially to blame for the resulting accident.

These are only a few examples of possible causes of truck accidents. The experienced West Palm Beach truck accident lawyers at Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa can investigate the factual circumstances which led to your truck accident. We can then pursue the necessary insurance claims or lawsuit against all potentially responsible parties for your accident. We will also ensure that your claim or lawsuit is filed in a timely manner and well within the Florida statute of limitations that is applicable to personal injury claims – including those that involve truck accidents.

Common Injuries in Truck Accidents

Because trucks are significantly larger and heavier than other motor vehicles, drivers and occupants of smaller vehicles suffer the most injuries in accidents. These injuries, including the ones below, normally require prompt medical treatment and extensive to lifelong treatment, which can be immensely costly and stressful:

Brain and Head Injuries

Head injuries can be as mild as a bruise that will not require any treatment or a serious concussion that will require prompt medical attention. Brain injuries, on the other hand, can have severe effects. In more severe cases, injured victims may become comatose temporarily or for the rest of their lives.

Spinal Cord Injuries

These cause complete, temporary, or partial paralysis. The spine is the body’s main information superhighway since its nerves send messages from the brain to all the other body parts. This means an injured spine can easily wreak havoc on your overall health.

Neck and Back Injuries

The neck and back have tiny delicate ligaments and bones that can easily be damaged in a truck accident. Whiplash can occur when the neck and head snap forward and backward rapidly, but the torso remains in place. In some cases, whiplash may not manifest right away but then appear several hours to a month after a collision.

Broken Bones

Although simple fractures can heal over time, more severe fractures will require extensive physical therapy and rehab. Otherwise, the bones may not heal properly and cause mobility problems and other issues in the future.

Severe Cuts

These can occur from shattered glass, metal, and other objects that fly around inside the vehicle during a collision. In more serious cases, cuts can lead to potentially fatal infections, disfiguring scars, and severe blood loss.

Burns

Severe burns can be potentially deadly since they can result in fluid loss, serious infections, permanent scarring and disfigurement, and even amputation.

Amputation

Amputation can occur due to the impact of the crash or from other injuries, such as severe burns and infections. Amputees typically require ongoing medical care and the use of adaptive devices, such as prosthetics.