An average of half a million large truck accidents happen in the United States annually. Heavy trucks like 18-wheelers fill Florida’s roads, ferrying nearly a trillion pounds of freight to their destinations.
Passenger vehicles routinely share the road with big rigs on highways and city streets. A comfortable commute can turn catastrophic after a truck accident.
The average passenger vehicle weighs between 4,000-5,000 pounds, compared to a semi-truck, which can weigh as much as 45,000 pounds fully loaded. Severe injuries and wrongful death may result from a crash.
These cases are more challenging because of the often more severe injuries, the federal regulations surrounding commercial truck operations, and truck crashes often involve multiple vehicles.
An experienced truck accident lawyer can help navigate these complicated cases to protect our clients. The experienced Pompano Beach truck accident lawyers at Kaiser Romanello are skilled at investigating a truck accident scene and working with trucking companies to gather evidence to establish liability.
We have assisted truck accident victims throughout Florida with a special focus on the Pompano Beach, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach areas. Call us today at (844) 877-8679.
Why Choose Kaiser Romanello for Your Pompano Beach Car Accident Claim?
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured or killed in a truck crash due to someone else’s negligence, contact the Pompano Beach truck accident lawyers at Kaiser Romanello. We have in-depth knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations governing the trucking industry and have experience handling these claims.
Our legal team has handled hundreds of personal injury and wrongful death cases from truck accidents in the Pompano Beach area. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help navigate these complicated cases. We have the legal knowledge to ensure you are fairly represented.
There is no cost or obligation to talk to one of our truck accident attorneys. Contact us today for a free consultation and evaluation of your case.
Our Pompano Beach Office Location and Headquarters
Kaiser Romanello P.A. is located at 11555 Heron Bay Boulevard in Broward County, Florida, approximately 23 miles north of Miami and 42 miles south of Palm Beach. You can call us at (844) 877-8679 to meet with one of our personal injury attorneys to discuss your claim.
Pompano Beach Truck Accident Statistics
The most current national injury data compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that compared with the nation’s six most populous states, Florida’s injury death rates were highest in the following categories: motor vehicle injuries, suicides, drowning, pedestrians, and pedal cyclists.
Pompano Beach is considered one of Florida’s most dangerous cities for motor vehicle accidents. It has the third-highest accident rate in Florida. Although it is only the tenth most populous city in Florida, it sees an average of 5,648 traffic accidents per 100,000 residents.
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) records accident statistics on its Florida Crash Dashboard. The most recent report tallied 276,492 crashes in the state, which accounted for 2,331 deaths and 176,029 injuries.
Recent numbers compiled by the National Safety Council found an average annual rate of 5,788 deaths in the United States attributed to traffic crashes involving large trucks. Florida accounted for 373 deaths and had the third-highest rate of deaths connected to large truck accidents.
In its annual Large Trucks data report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) noted that, on average nationwide, 8.9 percent of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes were large trucks. Florida had the second-highest number of large truck occupant fatalities, at 45, and was among the top three states for fatalities among non-large truck occupants, with more than 50 deaths.
Types of Truck Accidents
The sheer mass of an 18-wheeler makes it capable of causing severe damage and injuries in the event of a collision with a smaller and lighter passenger vehicle.
The most dangerous accidents involving 18-wheelers and passenger vehicles are underride crashes. As the name suggests, an underride crash involves a passenger vehicle moving underneath the truck’s trailer in a crash. Rear and side underride accidents often lead to severe consequences, including catastrophic injuries and wrongful death.
- Rear underride accidents occur in a rear-end accident when a smaller vehicle collides with the back of a truck and slides underneath it. Rear underride crashes may result in severe injuries or fatalities, including decapitation. Federal regulations require tractor-trailers to install rear underride guards that meet a minimum standard for safety to prevent the smaller vehicle from going under the truck.
- Side underride accidents happen when a smaller vehicle collides with the side of a truck and slides underneath it. These accidents can occur when a truck makes a wide turn, changes lanes without seeing the smaller vehicle, or if the smaller vehicle tries to pass the truck on the side. These accidents can kill the occupants of the passenger vehicle. No laws require side underride guards on commercial trucks in the U.S.
Other common types of truck accidents are blind spot collisions, where a smaller vehicle is traveling in a truck’s blind spot so the driver doesn’t see them until too late; tire blowouts, which can lead to loss of control and dangerous debris in the road or striking other vehicles; crashes in wide turns; cargo spills; jackknife accidents; and rollover accidents.
Determining Liability for a Truck Accident
Multiple parties, including one or more trucks and passenger vehicles, may contribute to a Pompano Beach truck accident. Commercial trucking companies also operate under state and federal regulations that may affect liability.
Liable parties may include:
- Truck Driver: The truck driver can be held liable if their actions, such as speeding, reckless driving, driving under the influence, or fatigue, contributed to the accident. Truck driver negligence can contribute to trucking accidents in various ways due to the unique challenges and responsibilities of operating large commercial vehicles.
- Trucking Company: You may hold the trucking company that employs the driver responsible for accidents caused by their driver’s negligence, as well as for issues related to maintenance, training, or scheduling that could have contributed to the accident.
- Truck Manufacturer: If a defect in the truck’s design or manufacturing contributed to the accident, you may hold the manufacturer of the truck or its components.
- Maintenance or Repair Companies: If inadequate maintenance or repairs contributed to the accident, you may hold the companies liable for maintaining or repairing the truck.
- Cargo Loading Companies: If improper loading or securing of cargo leads to an accident, you may hold the company liable.
- Government Entities: Poor road conditions or inadequate signage can sometimes contribute to truck accidents. In such instances, you may hold the government entities responsible for road maintenance and safety liable.
- Other Drivers: Other drivers can cause a truck accident. You may hold them liable if their actions, such as sudden lane changes or failure to yield, led to the accident.
An attorney experienced in truck accident cases in Florida can provide a comprehensive understanding of liability issues in a particular situation and how this can affect your personal injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me After a Car Accident in Pompano Beach?
Handling a car accident case and a truck accident case involves some key differences.
- Severity of Injuries and Damages: In truck accidents, injuries and damages tend to be more severe due to the size and weight of trucks.
- Regulations and Laws: Trucking companies and drivers are subject to specific federal and state regulations that don’t apply to regular car accidents.
- Multiple Parties: Truck accident cases often involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, and potentially others like cargo loaders or manufacturers.
- Insurance Coverage: Trucking companies typically have more extensive insurance coverage than individual car owners.
- Evidence Complexity: Truck accidents often require more extensive evidence gathering, such as maintenance records, driver logs, and black box data.
- Liability Issues: Determining liability can be more complex in truck accidents, involving factors like driver fatigue, maintenance, and company policies.
- Legal Experience: Handling truck accident cases may require particular knowledge of trucking regulations and industry practices.
- Negotiations and Settlements: Negotiating with trucking companies and their insurers may be more challenging due to the higher stakes involved.
- Litigation Potential: Truck accident claims are more likely to result in a personal injury lawsuit due to the complexities involved and the higher potential damages.
Florida also has state laws designed to regulate and ensure the safe operation of commercial vehicles, including trucks. These state laws work in conjunction with federal regulations established by agencies like FMCSA to promote safety in commercial trucking. Trucking companies and drivers operating in Florida must comply with state and federal regulations.
While car and truck accidents involve personal injuries and property damage, truck accident cases are often more complex, with higher stakes and more parties involved. Consult an experienced attorney who understands the nuances of each case for a successful resolution.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim
In the worst-case scenario where someone is tragically killed in a truck accident, a strong attorney-client relationship is essential during the sensitive and challenging process of pursuing a wrongful death claim. Many factors can influence a wrongful death claim in a truck accident that differ from those in a car accident.
Wrongful death claims arising from truck accidents are often more intricate due to the nature of trucking industry regulations, the potential multiple parties involved, and the severity of damages.
Look for an attorney with a proven track record of successfully handling wrongful death cases involving truck accidents. You need a lawyer with experience in this specific area of law. Ensure that the attorney deeply understands relevant laws and regulations related to wrongful death cases in your jurisdiction and knows the local and state laws affecting the trucking industry.
How Much Is My Pompano Beach Truck Accident Claim Worth?
Your lawyer will negotiate to secure a fair settlement for your losses due to a truck accident in Pompano Beach. If an agreement can’t be reached, your attorney can file a personal injury lawsuit and go to court to fight for the compensation you deserve.
A lawyer will consider many factors to evaluate your truck accident claim.
- Medical Expenses: Victims of truck accidents may recover compensation for medical bills, including hospitalization, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care.
- Lost Wages: If the accident results in the victim’s inability to work, they may receive compensation for lost wages and future earning potential.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation may be available for physical and emotional pain and injuries from the accident.
- Wrongful Death Damages: In fatal truck accidents, surviving family members may seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional distress.
- Property Damage: Compensation can cover repairing or replacing damaged vehicles and personal property.
- Loss of Consortium: Spouses or family members may seek compensation for the loss of companionship and support resulting from the injury or death.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence or misconduct by the truck driver or company, punitive damages may punish the wrongdoer and deter similar actions.
- Insurance Claims: Victims may file claims with their own insurance policies, such as health insurance or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, to cover medical costs or income wages.
- Third-Party Liability: In some cases, parties other than the truck driver, such as the trucking company, maintenance providers, or manufacturers, may share liability and pay you compensation.
Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state, so drivers must buy Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage to pay for their medical bills and related expenses after an accident, regardless of fault.
Florida also now follows a modified comparative negligence rule that allows for the allocation of fault in personal injury cases, where each party’s level of fault is determined, and damages are adjusted accordingly.
Your attorney will know how to navigate these laws on your behalf.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Case in Pompano Beach?
Florida’s statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is typically two years. Your lawyer will advise you on how this applies to your claim. If you don’t file your claim within the required timeframe, you may lose your right to seek compensation.
How Much Does a Pompano Beach Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
Kaiser Romanello works with clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning fees depend on the case’s successful outcome. Contingency fee arrangements level the playing field, making it possible for individuals to obtain fair compensation from a big insurance company and its team of lawyers.
There are no upfront costs to you. The attorney only gets paid if we obtain a favorable settlement or win the case in court.
Contact Kaiser Romanello Today
If you or a loved one has suffered a severe personal injury or wrongful death due to a truck accident, contact the experienced team of Pompano Beach personal injury lawyers at Kaiser Romanello today. Let us handle the details.
We will stand by your side every step of the way as we negotiate to secure the maximum compensation for your losses. Our firm has over 20 years of combined experience handling truck accidents in Pompano Beach and throughout South Florida. We are comfortable navigating the complex rules and regulations that affect these types of cases.
Kaiser Romanello P.A. offers a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with our lawyers to evaluate your potential claim. Call us today at (844) 877-8679 or fill out the contact form on our website to meet with us.
