Truck accidents

March 15, 2024

How Laws are Different for Florida Truck v. Car Accident Cases

Truck accidents are fortunately not among the most common traffic-related incidents in Florida, but they do tend to cause extreme devastation when they happen. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that there are around 9,640 crashes every year involving semis, 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, and other large commercial vehicles. More than 300 people are killed and another 5,050 victims are injured in these collisions. In other words, approximately 55 percent of all truck accidents lead to at least one casualty, usually in the passenger vehicle.

Under Florida law, truck crashes are very similar to auto collisions in many ways. Therefore, you could qualify to recover compensation if you were injured or lost a loved one. However, there are some critical distinctions you need to know. You can rely on your Miami truck accident attorney to handle the details and meet legal requirements for your claim. Plus, it is useful to review the differences between truck and car collisions.

Potential Parties

April 15, 2023

Mistakes to Avoid When Settling a Miami Truck Accident Claim

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Truck accidents are responsible for causing massive devastation, injuries, and loss of life when they occur, so it is a blessing to know that they represent a small percentage of the total crashes in Florida. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that there are approximately 10,100 collisions involving tractor-trailers, semis, 18-wheelers, and other large trucks annually. This figure is just 2.5% of all accidents on Florida roadways, but these incidents are still tragic. Almost 350 people are killed and more than 5,160 are injured in truck crashes every year. Crunching the numbers shows that 55% of all truck collisions lead to at least one casualty.

Fortunately, victims of truck crashes have legal remedies. Many of these cases settle out of court, but it is critical to ensure the agreement is fair. Mistakes with settlement can harm your interests, and one of the biggest errors is trying to negotiate an agreement yourself. Instead of putting your rights at risk, work with a Miami truck accident lawyer to avoid the following pitfalls.

You are still in treatment for your injuries. Beyond the emergency care and immediate treatment, you may be seeing medical specialists and health care providers for months after a truck crash. Therefore, you do not have a total of what your medical care will cost, and these expenses comprise a considerable portion of your compensation.

October 17, 2022

What Causes Jackknife Truck Accidents in Miami?

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Interstates 95 and 75, the Florida Turnpike, and many other busy highways run through South Florida, and these routes carry heavy traffic from large trucks. Therefore, it is no surprise that crashes involving semis, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and other commercial vehicles are common. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there are more than 10,000 truck accidents yearly, causing 345 fatalities and injuries to almost 5,200 people.

Though any truck collision can cause serious harm, some types lead to massive destruction.

One of the most horrific scenarios with truck accidents is a jackknife, in which the trailer goes in one direction and the cab heads in the other. The result is an L-shape similar to a jackknife that skids sideways, taking down everything in its path. Florida law provides you with rights if you were hurt or lost a loved one, and a Miami jackknife truck accident attorney will handle the legal process. It is also helpful to understand how these collisions happen.

January 20, 2021

How Choice of Court Affects Miami Truck Accident Claims

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

With I-95, Florida’s Turnpike, I-75, and many other heavily trafficked commercial access highways feeding into South Florida, it is no surprise that truck accidents occur frequently in the Miami area. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports that there are around 8,700 crashes involving 18-wheelers, semis, delivery trucks, and other commercial vehicles every year in Miami-Dade County. These incidents lead to dozens of fatalities and injuries to almost 1,400 victims, many of whom have legal rights through a truck accident lawsuit.

However, one of the factors that makes truck collisions more complicated than other motor vehicle crashes is that victims have options in terms of which court to file suit. The issue is something you can trust your Miami truck accident attorney to handle, but you should be aware of some general considerations.

Factors Regarding Choice of Courts

October 21, 2020

Miami Truck Accident Statistics Reveal the Dangers for Motorists

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

There can be no question that truck accidents lead to devastating loss of life, but you may not realize the extent of the problem until you have statistics to put things into perspective. In its Traffic Crash Facts 2018, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported that there are more than 16,000 large truck collisions in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties every year. For injured victims and their families, the physical, financial, and emotional losses are overwhelming.

If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a crash involving a semi, 18-wheeler, or other large truck, Florida law does provide you with options. You can rely on a Miami truck accidents attorney to assist with the legal process and help you recover fair compensation for your losses. Some additional truck crash statistics shed light on the severity of these incidents.

Summary of South Florida Truck Crash Statistics and Trends

August 26, 2020

Top Causes of Miami Truck Accidents and How to Avoid Them

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Even though truck accidents are nowhere near as common as other motor vehicle collisions, they tend to be the most catastrophic incidents on the road. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), semis, 18-wheelers, and other commercial vehicles account for around 13% of all traffic deaths in the US. Plus, Florida is in the Top 10 among all states when it comes to the highest percentage of fatal truck crashes; together with the other nine, these states make up more than half of all truck accident deaths.

With these statistics in mind, you will definitely do all you can to avoid being involved in a Miami truck accident. Prevention starts with recognizing the hazards, so you are in a better position to react and avoid them. The top causes include:

Improper Lane Change Collisions

August 19, 2020

Self-Driving Trucks Becoming a Reality: Pros and Cons for Miami Motorists

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Autonomous automobiles have gained significant traction in the US in recent years. It is logical to assume that the same technology will lead to self-driving freight trucks traveling our nation’s highways. According to a recent article published by online news source Vox, it would seem that the future is now: Startup company TuSimple announced that it is laying the foundation for an entire fleet of autonomous trucks, following in the footsteps of Daimler, Embark, Aurora, and other companies. In a statement, a TuSimple spokesperson noted that it intends to have self-driving commercial vehicles in Florida by 2023.

Self-driving technology for semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and other large trucks carries many of the same questions as it does for passenger vehicles – namely, safety concerns and the potential for serious collisions. It is critical to retain a Miami truck accidents lawyer no matter who was behind the wheel during your accident, but some background on the pros and cons of self-driving trucks can be informative.

Self-Driving Freight Trucks Offer Numerous Safety Advantages

December 10, 2019

How an Insurance Company Investigates a Miami Truck Accident

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

When you file an injury claim after any type of motor vehicle accident in Miami, you know there will be an investigation into the causes and nature of your bodily harm. Insurers always carefully review the details before paying you, since the situation represents a loss for the company. If you were hurt in a truck crash, the basic process will be the same, but there are additional complications when you file a claim with the truck insurance company. The investigation will be far more detailed and intensive for a number of reasons.

Recovering from your injuries should be a priority after such an incident, so it is smart to rely on a Miami truck accident lawyer to handle the claims process on your behalf. Still, some information about how insurance companies investigate truck collisions may be useful.

Why Insurance Companies Investigate Truck Accidents

December 3, 2019

Passenger Rights in Miami Truck Accident Injury Claims

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

It is common for the driver of a smaller vehicle to be severely hurt in a Miami truck crash, but these incidents also put any occupant in the car at risk of serious, catastrophic injuries. Some experts would argue that the threat of bodily harm is even greater for passengers who are not in the driver’s seat. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that many sedans, SUVs, pickups, and other vehicles have major weaknesses when it comes to protecting occupants who are not behind the wheel.

Fortunately, you do have rights as an injured passenger, including legal options for recovering compensation for your losses. You should trust a Miami truck accidents lawyer to handle the details, but you may find some general information useful.

Liability in Miami Truck Crash Claims

October 31, 2019

Proposed Changes to Hours of Service for Miami Truck Drivers

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Trucker fatigue has been a severe problem on US roadways for decades, as drivers push the edge of their physical limits in the rush to deliver cargo on time. All this time behind the wheel takes its toll and wears them out, potentially leading to fatal and injury-causing truck accidents. Years ago, the federal government implemented regulations to reduce the frequency of fatigue-related crashes. Hours of Service (HOS) rules impose strict restrictions on how long drivers can work and requirements for breaks, among others. Recently, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced proposed changes to HOS rules, enabling more flexibility for truck operators.

However, opponents of the proposed regulations argue that increased flexibility could lead to safety issues. If you were involved in a crash, it is important to work with a Miami truck accidents attorney when filing a claim for compensation. A summary HOS rules and modifications may also be helpful.

Overview of Hours of Service Regulations