Big trucks lead to big accidents, big injuries, and big headaches. Truckers, their employers, and their insurance companies are prepared to fight insurance claims and deny liability. Meanwhile, victims of their accidents are often severely injured, confused, missing work, and unable to represent their interests adequately.
When you are in an accident with a truck, the most important thing is to get prompt medical attention. The shock of an 18-wheeler collision can lead people to overlook injuries and delay getting much-needed medical care. However, getting medical attention is essential. It can help prevent injuries from getting worse. It also provides documentation of your injuries. Both can be critical in the aftermath of serious injury truck accidents in Miramar Beach.
Truck accidents are more likely to cause injuries—including severe injuries—than car accidents. That is generally due to the sheer size of trucks. A big rig with a loaded trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. The average passenger vehicle is less than 5,000 pounds, with even large passenger trucks weighing less than 7,000 pounds. So, tractor-trailers are easily ten times as heavy as passenger vehicles. Since force is mass times acceleration, that means that they carry at least ten times the force of a car at the same speed.
The result is that few truck accidents are minor. Instead, they often cause tremendous amounts of property damage and severe injuries. With that comes chaos and confusion, which not only impacts victims at the scene but can also impact their personal injury claim against a trucker.
After a car accident, victims are frequently able to collect evidence — witness names and phone numbers, photographs, and other information that can help establish liability. After a truck accident, people may need emergency medical care, which prevents them from engaging in the evidence-gathering stage. One reason people may need a lawyer who handles serious injury truck accidents in Miramar Beach is to help collect evidence.
Under Florida Statutes § 768.81, more than one person can be responsible for a traffic collision. Therefore, even if a driver contributed to the accident, they may still be able to recover from a trucker for injuries. For example, it is safer to stay out of a truck’s blind spots. If a driver cannot see a truck’s mirrors, then the trucker cannot see them. However, avoiding those spots while driving through regular traffic can be challenging.
Fortunately, the factfinders will examine who shares what percentage of the blame. Ultimately, professional drivers handling big trucks have a greater responsibility to look out for traffic than other drivers. They have larger blind spots, greater turning radii, and less maneuverable vehicles. So, they carry the responsibility of being the more careful driver.
In addition, truckers are often up against unrealistic deadlines. They must make their deliveries on time or face consequences—even when traffic, weather, or other conditions make that difficult. As a result, they may drive while distracted or tired. While federal regulations dictate required hours of rest and other safety factors, they can only do so much to ensure truckers pay attention to the road.
After suffering a severe injury in a Miramar Beach truck accident, you should consult with a qualified attorney at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon. One of our proactive lawyers could gather evidence to help determine who was responsible for the accident. Based on that information, they could advise whether you have a claim and the list of potential defendants. In addition to truckers, some third parties may share liability. They include employers, loaders, truck manufacturers, and more.
A trucker’s livelihood depends on their ability to continue driving. So, they are incentivized to avoid liability for any accidents, even if they were responsible. Since they are often uninjured after an accident, they may have an unfair opportunity to present their version of events to police, insurance companies, and other investigators.
Fortunately, you are not alone. A lawyer who handles serious injury truck accidents in Miramar Beach could help. They could investigate the circumstances of the case, proving liability on the part of the trucker and any third parties. Our diligent legal professionals at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon could also evaluate your injuries and provide you with a realistic outlook on the lifelong cost of your injuries. Then, they could fight to get you the settlement or judgment you deserve. Call today to discuss your case with one of our committed lawyers.