Truck Accident Attorneys

Florida Truck Accident Lawyers

Attorneys Specializing in Truck and Commercial Trucking Accident Lawsuits

Commercial trucking accidents in Pensacola and across North Florida represent some of the most devastating traffic accident injuries. Commercial trucks typically carry loads weighing more than 26,000 pounds. The weight of the typical commercial truck’s load is so excessive that it significantly impedes the reaction time of the vehicle, creating a greater risk of accident. When commercial trucking accidents do occur, the weight of the vehicle is such that it can cause severe damage resulting in serious personal injury or death for those involved. Our Pensacola trucking accidents lawyers can help consumer who have been injured in a truck accident to receive the proper compensation.

Causes of Commercial Trucking Accidents

Commercial truck drivers spend the majority of their time behind the wheel carrying shipments from point A to point B. The commercial trucking industry revolves around ensuring prompt delivery, requiring drivers to work long hours and endure significant levels of physical and mental fatigue. In order to compensate, it is not uncommon that truck drivers attempt to combat such fatigue through alternative means, such as drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes, or using drugs. While the drivers may be able to combat fatigue in this manner, they foster additional safety issues vis-á-vis their effects on the body.

Some of the more common causes of commercial trucking accidents include:

  • Driver fatigue
  • Irresponsible driving
  • Poor truck maintenance
  • Defective trucking parts
  • Improperly secured loads

Many times accidents can be related to negligence or poor judgment on the part of the owner and/or driver. The government has tried to eliminate these types of accident causes by instituting various regulations.

Commercial Trucking Regulations

In an attempt to limit the number of accidents, injuries and fatalities caused by large trucks and/or buses, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was established on January 1st, 2000 to serve as a watchdog organization. A division of the U.S. Department of Transportation, the FMCSA was created as a result of the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999.

Driver Fatigue – In effort to combat driver fatigue, the FMCSA initiated a federal regulation preventing commercial truckers from logging more than 10 consecutive hours or 11 cumulative hours in a single day. Similarly, commercial truck drivers are also prohibited from logging more than 60 hours in a week (7-day period). In addition to complying with federal regulations regarding drive-time, commercial truck drivers may also have to abide by certain state regulations.

In order to ensure that their employees are abiding by state and federal drive-time regulations, commercial truck employers require their drivers to maintain a log detailing the amount of time they spend behind the wheel. The employers are liable for any injuries or damages resulting from trucking accidents caused by their employees. Therefore, it is in their interest to ensure that their employees abide by all safety guidelines.

Irresponsible Driving – In effort to combat irresponsible driving habits (like speeding), the FMCSA prohibits commercial trucks from carrying loads exceeding 80,000 pounds. Such weights would severely inhibit driver response time. Companies are always looking to maximize the amount of goods they can ship in a single load in an effort to save/make money. Weigh scales are spread throughout the country on which commercial trucks must demonstrate their compliance with the commercial trucking weight regulations.

Commercial Trucking Accident Lawsuits 

Commercial trucking accidents can lead to serious injuries and/or death. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed as a result of a commercial trucking accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation from any liable parties. The truck accident attorneys of the law offices of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz have a great deal of experience litigating personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. If you have been injured, contact our truck accident lawyers today at (844) 794-7402 to get information about your rights.

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