Truck Accident Lawyer Delray Beach

Truck accidents often result in severe injuries due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Delray Beach, you need an experienced truck accident lawyer to help you navigate the complexities of these cases. At Lampariello Law, our team is committed to protecting your rights and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call us today at 561-269-4839 to schedule a free consultation and start your journey toward justice and recovery.

How Truck Accidents Are Different from Car Accidents in Florida

Accidents involving trucks and cars in Florida may seem similar at first glance, but the reality is that they differ significantly in several ways. From the physical damage caused to the legal complexities involved, truck accidents present unique challenges for victims. Understanding these differences can help you better navigate the aftermath of such an accident and ensure that your rights are protected. Here’s a closer look at how truck accidents differ from car accidents in Florida and why it’s important to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

Size and Weight Differences

One of the most obvious differences between truck accidents and car accidents is the size and weight disparity. Trucks, particularly large commercial vehicles like semi-trucks and big rigs, can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. In contrast, the average passenger vehicle weighs between 2,000 to 3,000 pounds. This vast difference in size and weight means that truck accidents tend to result in much more severe injuries and property damage.

The force of impact in a truck accident is typically greater, and this can lead to catastrophic injuries. While both types of accidents can cause serious harm, truck accident victims often suffer more significant physical trauma due to the sheer size of the truck involved.

Types of Injuries

The injuries sustained in truck accidents are generally more severe than those in car accidents. The victims of truck crashes are more likely to experience life-threatening injuries, including:

Spinal cord injuries: The severity of the impact and the force exerted in truck accidents can lead to damage to the spinal cord, causing permanent paralysis.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Due to the greater impact in a truck accident, passengers and drivers in smaller vehicles are more susceptible to head injuries, including TBIs.
Broken bones: The immense force in a truck crash can cause broken bones in multiple parts of the body.
Internal injuries: With the added force of a truck collision, there’s a higher risk of internal bleeding and organ damage.
Fatalities: Due to the size difference, truck accidents result in more fatalities than car accidents.

While car accidents can also cause these injuries, the likelihood and extent of injury are generally higher in truck accidents due to the size and force involved.

Insurance and Liability

When it comes to insurance, truck accidents are more complicated. While a car accident typically involves one insurance policy from the driver’s insurer, truck accidents may involve multiple parties and insurance policies. This is because commercial trucks are usually covered by more than just the driver’s personal insurance. They are also covered by their employer’s commercial insurance policy, which can often lead to a more complex claims process.

Additionally, truck accidents are subject to various federal and state regulations, making liability more complicated. Trucking companies are governed by rules from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which sets standards for truck maintenance, driver hours, and more. If any of these regulations are violated, it can play a crucial role in determining who is liable for the accident.

Liability in truck accidents can extend to multiple parties, including:

The truck driver
The trucking company
The company that loaded the truck
The manufacturer of the truck or its parts
Maintenance contractors

In contrast, car accidents usually involve the driver, and possibly the vehicle manufacturer if a defect was involved.

Investigations and Evidence

Due to the complexity of truck accidents, investigations tend to be more thorough and take longer. While the scene of a car accident might yield clear evidence from witnesses or traffic cameras, truck accidents often require more detailed analysis. Evidence that needs to be gathered can include:

Black box data: Trucks are equipped with Event Data Recorders (EDRs), often referred to as “black boxes.” These devices capture valuable data such as speed, braking patterns, and driver behavior leading up to the accident. This data can be crucial in proving negligence or fault in a truck accident.
Driver logs: Truck drivers are required to maintain logs of their hours of service, which are monitored to prevent driver fatigue. A review of these logs can reveal whether the driver was operating the truck beyond the legally allowed hours, which may contribute to the accident.
Maintenance records: Trucking companies are obligated to maintain their vehicles in safe operating conditions. Faulty brakes or poorly maintained tires can lead to accidents, and reviewing maintenance records can help identify any issues.
Witness statements: In truck accident cases, eyewitnesses may provide important details that could help in determining fault.

In car accidents, while gathering evidence is still important, the process is generally simpler and quicker, as fewer regulatory standards are involved.

The Role of Driver Fatigue

Driver fatigue is a significant contributing factor in truck accidents. Truck drivers are often on the road for long hours, and when they exceed the hours of service set by the FMCSA, fatigue can impair their reaction times and judgment. In Florida, fatigue-related truck accidents are more common than many people realize. In comparison, while fatigue can contribute to car accidents, it is more closely regulated in the trucking industry, making it a more prominent factor in truck accidents.

When a truck driver falls asleep behind the wheel or becomes drowsy, the consequences can be devastating. A fully loaded truck traveling at high speeds can take much longer to stop compared to a passenger vehicle, increasing the risk of severe collisions. Fatigue-related truck accidents often involve a greater level of negligence, especially if the trucking company failed to enforce proper regulations.

Legal Complexities

Truck accident claims tend to involve more complicated legal issues than car accidents. Due to the involvement of large trucking companies, manufacturers, and multiple insurers, the legal process can be much more complex. Additionally, truck accident cases are often subject to stricter regulations, such as the FMCSA’s hours of service rules or vehicle maintenance requirements. Proving negligence and fault in a truck accident case can be more difficult, requiring expertise in both the law and the trucking industry.

For car accidents, legal complexities are generally more straightforward, and the claims process is often quicker. However, when you involve an experienced personal injury lawyer, the chances of achieving a fair settlement or favorable judgment in either type of case increase significantly.

Talk to a Truck Accident Attorney Today

Truck accidents often result in serious injuries, and it’s crucial to have a skilled legal team by your side to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. At Lampariello Law, our experienced truck accident attorney is dedicated to fighting for your rights and holding negligent trucking companies accountable. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, contact us today at 561-269-4839 for a free consultation and let us help you take the first step toward recovery and justice.