Commercial truck accidents are an unfortunate reality in Florida. Accidents caused by semi-trucks can be more dangerous simply because of their massive size compared to average cars.
Being in a commercial truck accident can seriously affect your life. Property damage, medical bills, emotional trauma, and lost wages can all reduce your well-being and quality of life.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial truck accident, consider consulting a Florida truck accident lawyer today.
According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department (FHSMV), there were over 33,000 commercial truck accidents in Florida just in 2019. These commercial truck accidents caused around 159,000 injuries that same year. And about 75% of those injuries were in another vehicle besides the commercial truck.
Most people have no idea how common commercial truck accidents are. And accidents caused by semi-trucks aren’t just a problem in Florida. According to statistics provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost 5,000 people died in crashes involving large commercial trucks in 2018, and more than 5,000 people died in commercial truck accidents in 2019. More than 80% of the fatalities in these accidents were people in a vehicle besides the truck.
Specifically, 7.1% of all fatal accidents in Florida involved commercial trucks in 2019. One reason for this is alcohol intoxication, which is not unheard of among commercial truck drivers. In fact, alcohol-impaired large truck drivers were involved in almost 150 fatal traffic accidents in 2018 alone.
In fact, there were 321 deaths in traffic crashes involving large commercial trucks in Florida.
As is the case with all traffic accidents, there are often many factors that cause commercial truck accidents. Driving distractions constitute one main contributor. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found in 2009 that 71% of large truck crashes occurred when the truck driver was doing something besides driving the truck.
Other causes of accidents caused by semi-trucks include:
Given these factors, it is no wonder that truck accidents happen so frequently in both Volusia County and in Florida.
Only Texas and California—each of which has a significantly larger population than Florida—rank higher than Florida when it comes to commercial truck accident fatalities.
One of the reasons that Florida ranks so high on this list is poor weather. Florida is vulnerable to many hazardous forms of weather, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes. In fact, 355 tropical storms or hurricanes have struck Florida since 1900. Severe rain, wind, and flooding all make commercial truck accidents both more common and more serious.
If you are one of the many Floridians who have suffered following a commercial truck accident in Florida, you need to talk to an attorney about your options for seeking compensation.
Here at Rue & Ziffra, we care deeply about protecting you and your rights. We can explain your legal options to you and help ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
With over 40 years of experience and thousands of satisfied clients, we know how to hold the at-fault party accountable. And unlike other Florida truck accident lawyers, we treat you as an individual human being with a story, not just a number. Contact us or call 1-800-JUSTICE today to set up a free legal consultation. Besides in-person consultations, we offer phone and video consultations for your convenience and safety. Don’t delay.