Miami Truck Accident Lawyer

Florida highways are full of trucks. When these large vehicles are not driven carefully, serious truck accidents often occur. In most truck accidents, it is the drivers and passengers of smaller vehicles who suffer the most injuries. 

At Lorenzo Law, we represent motorists who were injured or killed in truck accidents on Miami roads and highways. We fight to get you compensation for:

• Property damage; 
• Past and future medical bills;
• Past and future lost wages; 
• Pain and suffering; 
• Disability;
• Disfigurement;
• Mental anguish;
• Punitive damages, and more 

In addition, if your loved one was killed in a Miami truck accident, we will fight to get you wrongful death benefits. Call us at (305) 999-5411to discuss your case with an experienced and reputable Miami truck accident lawyer.

Truck Accident Statistics

Large trucks go by many names––18 wheelers, tractor trailers, or big rigs. These types of vehicles are extremely heavy, sometimes weighing as much as 80,000 pounds. So, when they collide with a smaller vehicle, the results can be devastating, many times, resulting in death or catastrophic injury, as well as:

• Lifelong disabilities;
• Pain and suffering;
• Extensive property damage; and
• Enormous medical bills.

In 2017, more than 4,000 people were killed in truck accidents across the country. Of these, 17% were truck drivers, 68% were the drivers and passengers of cars and other vehicles, and the other 14% were pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. 

Most truck accidents occur on major roadways, freeways, and interstates in rural areas or between major metropolitan areas. And most surprising, the majority of these accidents occur between noon and 3 pm in the afternoon. 

Common Causes of Truck Accidents 

The number one cause of truck accidents is driver fatigue. Many truck drivers who were involved in a truck accident report feeling overly tired prior to the accident.

In an effort to limit fatigued driving, the law limits the number of hours that drivers can drive per day and how many consecutive days drivers can work. However, drivers are usually paid for each mile they drive, which gives them the incentive to drive beyond the number of hours allowed under the law. 

Drivers routinely falsify their log books to show that they have driven fewer hours than they actually have, so that they can keep driving and earn extra money. Trucking companies often encourage this behavior or turn a blind eye to it, because it keeps their trucks on the road longer and, thereby, increases their profits. 

Other common causes of truck accidents include:

• An unbalanced or improperly secured load that might have shifted, causing the driver to lose control of the truck
• Improper maintenance of the truck. It is estimated that as many as 27% of all trucks involved in trucking accidents are reported to have had some sort of brake problems.  
• Alcohol or drug use by the driver 
• A distracted driver
• An improperly trained or inexperienced driver 

When you hire Lorenzo Law, we will investigate all possible causes of the truck accident, such as whether the trucking company or the driver has violated any law, including the limit on the number of hours allowed to be driven. To do so, we will evaluate all evidence, including the driver’s log book, satellite tracking devices, invoices, and gasoline purchases, to track the number of hours a driver had driven prior to the truck accident occurring. 

The Differences Between Truck Accidents and Other Motor Accidents

If you have been in an accident with a commercial vehicle, your case is completely different than if you have been in an accident with a private vehicle. There are both state and federal regulations that come into play and the damages are often exponentially greater than in the average car accident. 

The forces involved in a truck accident often result in much more serious injuries and the insurance policies available are much larger. Trucks that haul freight must carry between $750, 000 and $5 million dollars in insurance coverage. 

Furthermore, commercial truck drivers must have special training to ensure they can operate a truck with special care. Moreover, someone who has a commercial driver’s license has a higher duty to the other drivers on the road than a person who has an ordinary driver’s license.

Because of this, professional trucking companies expect to pay a premium for any accidents their drivers are involved in. In fact, insurance companies pay out $29 billion per year in truck accident settlements.

Compensation for a Miami Truck Accident

The vehicles that truck drivers operate are often the largest on the road and when they get into an accident, it is likely to cause much more damage than smaller motor vehicles. Because of this, they are required to operate their trucks with the highest level of care. 

When a truck accident occurs in Miami and, as a result, you or someone you know is injured or killed, a number of different parties can be held liable to compensate you for your injuries and losses, including:

• The driver;
• The trucking company;
• The person who rented the truck;
• The person who leased the truck;
• The shipper;
• The loader;
• The maintenance company; as well as
• The manufacturer of the truck, its parts, or other trucking products.

However, truck accidents cases can be both legally and technically complicated and a thorough investigation will need to be performed to determine which laws have been violated and why the accident occurred. For this, you will need the assistance of an experienced truck accident attorney. 

But, to successfully handle a truck accident case, a lawyer must have more than just a basic understanding of personal injury and road safety laws. A good truck accident lawyer must also have knowledge of the federal and state rules and regulations that govern the trucking industry, interstate commerce, and accidents involving commercial vehicles. 

Contact Lorenzo Law: Miami Truck Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a Miami truck accident, call Lorenzo Lawat (305) 999-5411, or get in touch with us here online for a free consultation with an experienced Miami truck accident attorney who can investigate your truck accident case and assist you and your family with recovery the compensation you deserve.