Truck Accidents Category Archives - Page 2 of 3 - South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg Published by Miami Accident Attorneys

NHTSA Data Shows Spike in Large-Truck Occupant Deaths

Published on: November 20, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Truck accidents are some of the most dangerous accidents on the road. Unfortunately, these accidents routinely impact people in Florida and across the United States. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident involving a tractor-trailer, you might have the right to recover damages for your medical bills and other losses. With extensive experience in Florida personal injury law, our Miami truck accident attorneys have the skill, experience and compassion to handle your case.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while roadway fatalities decreased 2 percent year-over-year in 2017, that trend was not true for occupants of large trucks. In fact, NHTSA data shows that truck occupant deaths jumped 16 percent from 2016 to 2017 – from 725 to 841 deaths with approximately 40 percent of these occupants not wearing seat belts even though there has been an ongoing effort to educate on the issue. As it stands, there are no precise reasons that were identified for the rise in deaths.

Fuel and Tanker Truck Accidents in Florida

Published on: October 24, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

While all truck accidents are dangerous, fuel and tanker trucks pose an added risk. The force of an accident can cause the flammable liquid that the truck is carrying to catch on fire. In some cases, the force of a crash can lead to an explosion. As such, fuel truck accidents can lead to catastrophic, even deadly harm. If you have been hurt or someone you know has been killed in a fuel truck accident, you need skilled legal counsel. Our Miami truck accident lawyers can help you file a lawsuit against any and all parties responsible for the accident.

Two People Killed in Fuel Truck Accident

Last month, two people were killed in their Chevy Impala in a multi-car crash involving a fuel truck along Florida’s turnpike. The accident was caused by the driver of a Honda Civic who fails to navigate a curve on the northbound entrance ramp of the turnpike and slammed into a Tropic Oil Co. truck, which then crashed into the Impala as well as a Ford van. Passengers of the van and the fuel truck sustained injuries. A hazardous materials team was dispatched to the scene to contain the fuel leaking from the truck and part of the highway had to be shut down for several hours.

Seeking Compensation for Blocking Accidents in Florida

Published on: October 24, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Truck accidents, due to their sheer size and weight, can lead to devastating harm to everyone involved. If you or someone close to you has been injured in an accident in which a truck was blocking a road, you may be able to recover monetary damages for your harm. Our reputable Miami truck accident attorneys have the skill, dedication and experience to handle your case. We will make every effort to settle your case but we are not afraid to go to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached through the process of negotiation.

Blocking Accidents

Blocking accidents refer to accidents that involve a smaller vehicles crashing into with large truck that is stopped or parked in the road or in the shoulder. For example, a car rear-ends a truck that is parked in the roadway. Truck drivers who stop their vehicles in the path of moving traffic can lead to catastrophic wrecks when other drivers come upon the unanticipated obstruction in their path. This is why truck drivers and trucking companies should be careful to place reflective markers or use a flagger to notify drivers that a truck is blocking a lane of travel.

Liability in Blocking Accidents

When a car crashes into a truck that is blocking a lane, the car driver tends to think it is his or her fault. However, this is not always the case. In many instances, the blocking accident occurs because the truck driver or trucking company failed to take steps to minimize the risk of accident. Poor weather conditions, lack of signage and low visibility due to nighttime can all increase the likelihood of an accident. Continue Reading ›

Accident Results in a Truck Dangling over a Florida Bridge

Published on: September 20, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Truck accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries. If you or someone close to you has been injured in an accident caused by a negligent truck driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our skilled Miami truck accident attorneys understand the stress and confusion you may be experiencing, which is why we will handle your case with the utmost compassion.A traffic accident left a truck partially dangling over a Gulf Coast bridge when the driver crashed through a concrete guardrail and caused major traffic delays on one of Florida’s busiest highways. The crash, which occurred last month, left the cab of the truck dangling over the Trooper J.D. Young Bridge on northbound Interstate 75 north of Sarasota for about two hours, essentially blocking all northbound lanes of the highway.

According to one news source, the 49-year-old driver was driving his truck down the highway normally until a car suddenly switched lanes in front of him. In an effort to not hit the car, the driver lost control of the semi-truck and crashed through the bridge’s railing. Fortunately, he was able to get out of the car safely, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.

Florida Distracted Driving Accident Kills 2 Horses and Injures 2 People

Published on: August 29, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Truck accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries and even death. If you or someone close to you has been hurt in a truck accident caused by a truck driver’s negligence, our seasoned Miami truck accident attorneys can help you make a claim for compensation. At our Law Offices, we are committed to holding negligent parties accountable for the harm they cause.

Distracted driving occurs when the driver engages in any conduct that takes the driver’s attention away from the primary task of driving. Distracted driving continues to be a huge problem in Florida and across the United States. The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that as many 40,000 people died in automobile accident crashes in 2016. That is a 6 percent increase over 2015 and a 15 percent increase over 2014, the most dramatic year escalation in 53 years. The NSC estimates that 25 percent of all crashes involve some type of cell phone use. Alarmingly, a new AAA study finds that more than half of millennial-aged drivers are aware of their dangerous driving habits but think they are acceptable.

Last week, a driver dropped his cellphone and was allegedly bending over to pick it up when his truck hit a 9-year-old girl and woman who were riding horses in Southwest Ranches. The two riders were crossing the road on their horses at the time of the accident and, sadly, both were ejected from their horses upon impact. After the crash, a pink riding helmet and two dead horses lay on the rural road. The young girl was airlifted the hospital and the girl’s guide was also taken to the hospital. Both riders suffered possible life-threatening injuries as a result of the collision.

1 Killed in Florida Dump Truck Accident

Published on: August 23, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Strict deadlines placed on dump truck drivers often cause drivers to speed and engage in other dangerous behaviors. If you or your loved one has been injured or killed in a dump truck accident that was not your fault, you need to reach out to a skilled Miami truck accident attorney who can help. At our Law Offices, we are committed to helping South Florida clients obtain the compensation they need to move on with their lives.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly accident that occurred in Southwest Miami-Dade last week. Troopers say a dump truck was attempting to make a left turn into a concrete plant when it collided with a rental car, which burst into flames. Sadly, the 30-year-old driver was burned to death and died at the scene of the accident. He was driving a Dodge Charger at the time. The collision is being investigated to determine if speed was a factor.

A dump truck refers to a truck with a body that tilts or opens at the back for unloading. These trucks are typically used for transporting loose material such as sand, gravel or demolition waste for construction. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, dump and cement truck accidents caused the second most injuries and deaths among all large commercial vehicle crashes in 2015. Given the weight and ungainly distribution of mass, dump trucks can be prone to rollovers, which may lead to serious accidents and injuries. Other causes of dump truck accidents include, but are not limited to:

Pigs Wander Along Florida Highway After Truck Accident

Published on: May 2, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Truck accidents can have devastating consequences for everyone involved. If you or someone close to you has been injured in a crash caused by a truck driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our Miami truck accident attorneys can analyze the facts of your case and help you understand your legal rights and options. With years of experience, we understand how to navigate these types of cases.

Last month, on Thanksgiving morning, a truck crash sent pigs wandering on I-95 in St. Johns County when a semi-trailer carrying them collided with another truck. Upon impact, the truck carrying the pigs overturned, causing the animals to escape onto the shoulder of the highway. The second truck continued down the right side of the highway for approximately 1,000 feet before it partially rolled over as well. The accident took place just before 4 a.m. in a muddy area, which was made worse by rainfall. Miraculously, no one was injured in the accident, but the Florida Highway Patrol warned drivers to use extra care on the highway, due to the possibility of loose livestock. This is not the first time that pigs or other livestock have been left wandering the streets after an accident, and, unfortunately, it probably will not be the last.

Unfortunately, truck accidents are more common than you may think. In 2015, a total of 3,852 people were killed in large truck crashes, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. About 16 percent of these deaths were truck occupants; 69 percent were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles; and 15 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists.

Dump Truck Accidents in Florida

Published on: April 26, 2018 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

If you have been injured in a dump truck accident, you may have suffered serious injuries for which you may be able to receive compensation. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our skilled Miami truck accident attorney can review your case and prepare all of the documents needed to move you through the legal process. We understand this is a stressful time in your life, which is why we will try to make the process as seamless as possible for you.

Earlier this month, a 20-year-old man was fatally struck in Tampa after he walked in front of a dump truck. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, a dump truck was about to turn left on a green left turn arrow. As the truck was approaching the intersection, the pedestrian attempted to cross the street but was not within a crosswalk. As he stepped onto the street, he was hit by the truck and died at the scene of the accident. An investigation into the accident is ongoing.

A dump truck refers to a truck with a body that tilts or opens at the back for unloading. These trucks are typically used for transporting loose material, such as sand, gravel, or demolition waste, for construction. Due to the size, shape, and weight (weighing up to 60,000 pounds) of dump trucks, these vehicles pose distinct hazards to others on the road. Additionally, dump trucks have a higher center of gravity, putting them at a higher risk of tipping over. According to one survey of over 22,000 trucks involving fatality accidents, dump trucks have the highest fatality rate of any type of commercial truck. In fact, per 100 million miles traveled (MMT), these trucks had 5.96 fatalities.

Truck Collides with Florida School Bus, Who is Liable?

Published on: December 21, 2017 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

If your child has been injured in a school bus accident, it is imperative to speak to an experienced Miami motor vehicle collision attorney who can assess the merits of your case. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we can investigate the accident and provide you with an honest assessment of your claim. You can rest assured that we are committed to pursuing the compensation you deserve for your harm.

Earlier this month, a school bus in Highlands County flipped on its side after a crash with a semi truck, which smashed into pieces. Fortunately, all 39 of the students on the bus made it out of the accident alive, although at least 22 people were taken to the hospital following the wreck. The school bus was traveling north on US 27 in the right lane just before 8 a.m., and the tractor-trailer was traveling north on US 27 in the right lane as well, some distance behind the bus. At one point, the bus came to a stop at Lake Ridge Drive to permit students to load the bus. Even though the bus had its flashing lights on, warning other drivers that it was stopped, the truck failed to stop in time and hit the bus.

A number of parties may be liable for a bus accident. In the case at hand, the truck driver who hit the bus would likely be considered negligent and be liable for the crash and any resulting injuries. Negligence occurs when an injury or death occurs due to a person or entity’s failure to use reasonable care. Reasonable care is defined as how a prudent person would act in the same or similar circumstances. Here, a truck driver using reasonable care would have been more vigilant in maintaining a reasonable speed and braking distance and thus would have been able to come to a complete stop when the bus stopped. It is important to note that under Florida law, in some cases, the truck driver’s employer may be liable for the truck driver’s negligence as well.

Florida Underride Accidents

Published on: October 4, 2017 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Truck accidents can have devastating consequences for people in the smaller vehicle involved. If you or your loved one was injured in an underride accident, it is imperative to seek the help of a Miami truck accident attorney without delay. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we can help you hold negligent parties accountable and recover the compensation you deserve for your harm. For years, we have vigorously advocated for South Florida victims and can do the same for you.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 400 people die each year due to underride accidents. The NHTSA further estimates that more than 5,000 occupants of passenger vehicles sustain severe injuries in these types of crashes on an annual basis.

Underride accidents typically occur when a passenger vehicle collides with a truck and runs under it. Even at relatively low speeds, these accidents can lead to serious injuries and even death to drivers and passengers in the car. There are two types of truck underride accidents that may happen: side underride collisions and rear underride collisions. A side underride collision happens when a passenger car slams into the side of a truck and then slides under it. A rear underride collision occurs when a passenger vehicle runs under the rear of a truck or semi-trailer.