Truck Accident Attorney
CAPE CORAL, FORT MYERS, LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
How dangerous are large trucks?
Large semi-trucks or 18-wheelers weigh several tons when empty. Add several tons of cargo to them and they become even more dangerous. When moving at 75 mph on the highway, these monsters are like loaded guns, just waiting to go off.
Who is most affected by large truck accidents?
In most fatal trucking accidents, the drivers of the truck are not the ones who are killed, but people in other vehicles around them. Large truck accidents declined in 2006 but there were still almost 5,000 fatal truck accidents in the U.S. The majority of fatalities were occupants of other vehicles. Approximately 106,000 people suffered personal injury in a large truck accident and of those 81,000 were passengers in other vehicles. It is considerably safer to be in the truck than next to it when an accident occurs.
Are large trucks more likely to be in an accident?
There are approximately 2.5 million trucks on the road, which make up 7 percent of all vehicle accidents. Because of the size, weight, and potentially dangerous cargo of these vehicles, when they get into an accident, it is often deadly. These large trucks also age quickly and if not properly maintained the wear and tear on the vehicle could contribute to trucking accidents.
What causes large truck accidents?
There may be several contributing factors to a large truck accident.
- Excessive speed
- Alcohol consumption
- Illegal drug use
- Driver exhaustion
- Improper training
In many accidents, more than one factor contributes significantly to the crash.
Are truck accidents handled differently than other auto accidents?
Over the road truckers, whether they are independent, or working for a large trucking company have special rules and regulations to which they must comply. In many cases accidents relating to negligence in one or more of these extra regulations might be one of the causes of the accident. Large trucking companies are backed by a lot of money and good lawyers, so you'll want to make sure you find a good trucking accident attorney to represent your interests.
If you have been involved in a trucking accident in the Fort Myers or Cape Coral area, you may be eligible to collect damages for your personal injury or wrongful death claim. Please contact Lusk, Drasites, Tolisano & Smith, P.A. today to schedule an initial consultation with one of our attorneys.
