Jacksonville Truck and Semi-Truck Accident Attorneys

You hope that you’re never involved in a car-truck accident, but if you are it’s critical to know what to do. Here are the six basic steps to take:

1. 1. Move to safety: If possible, move your vehicle out of the flow of traffic, such as to the side of the highway.

1. 1. Assess your injuries: Doing so allows you to take the appropriate action in regard to first aid.

1. 1. Call for help: Don’t assume that police and an ambulance will arrive. Call 911 to ensure that this happens as quickly as possible.

1. 1. Receive medical treatment: Paramedics can treat you at the scene, while also quickly transporting you to a local hospital for testing and additional treatment. Even if you don’t think you’ve been injured, it’s good practice to be examined by a qualified medical professional.Remember, Doctor First, Lawyer Second

1. 1. Take action against the negligent party: This generally starts with filing an insurance claim, but could eventually lead to the courtroom. It’s best to consult with a truck accident attorney as soon as possible.

There’s no shortage of questions associated with truck-car accidents, but these are among the most common:

• How much is your truck accident case worth?
• How much does it cost to hire a personal injury attorney?
• How long does it take to obtain compensation from the negligent party?
• Are there any fees associated with a personal injury claim?
• How is fault determined in a truck accident?
• Who is liable in a truck accident? Is it the truck driver or the trucking company? Can it be both?
• What’s the statute of limitations on a Florida truck accident lawsuit?
• Does an insurance policy cover all of your damages?

There’s nothing more nerve-racking than driving near a commercial truck. Even if the person is driving responsibly, it doesn’t change the fact that a minor mistake can result in a serious accident.

Understanding the top causes of commercial truck accidents may help you avoid trouble. Consider the following:

• Drowsy driving: If a trucker becomes drowsy while behind the wheel, there’s a greater chance of an accident.
• Distracted driving: This takes on many forms, including texting, talking on a cell phone, eating, drinking, smoking and even filing out itineraries.
• Driving while under the influence: Alcohol, drugs, and prescription medication can all influence a trucker’s ability to drive safely while following the rules of the road.
• Reckless driving: This includes behavior such as excessive speeding, illegal lane changes, and illegal passing.
• Road Conditions: Not all commercial drivers have the same amount of experience and skills. Florida’s unpredictable weather can cause havoc on roadways especially during frequent rain storms presenting each truck driver with a dangerous road condition.
• Visibility: For every type of manufactured truck on the roadways today, each has its unique limitation in being able to see in front, on the side and other vehicles in close proximity to theirs. Many times, this present an unsafe situation and is one of the most frequent cause of accidents and crashes.
• Vehicle Maintenance: Many commercial trucks are owner by independent agents responsible for keeping their vehicles in proper condition. This does present a danger when trucks and/or semi-trucks are not properly maintained and can lead to vehicle mishaps. Poor or worn tire tread, unstable suspensions, improperly loaded or oversized loads can all contribute to an unsafe driving condition.

If you’ve spent any amount of time driving close to commercial trucks, there’s a good chance you’ve witnessed a trucker doing something that increases the risk of a crash.