Unfortunately, tractor trailers are responsible for thousands of accidents every year in the U.S. If you or a loved one is a victim of a tractor trailer accident in Clearwater, you may have a right to claim compensation for the damages to your property and injuries.
It may be best to hire a Clearwater personal injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine to learn more about your options and get help with building a successful claim.
Possible Liable Parties in a Pinellas County Tractor Trailer Accident
Lawyers work with experts to investigate the cause of accidents and determine the liable parties. Depending on the cause of the crash, there can be one or more liable parties. Therefore, your lawyer can file a claim or lawsuit against the following individuals and entities:
- The Driver: Trailer tractor drivers can be guilty of drunk driving, fatigued driving, road rage, or distracted driving. Though the employer is responsible for a driver’s conduct, the driver can be liable for the accident if they were an independent contractor or are guilty of gross misconduct.
- Tractor Trailer Company: The trucking company can be partially or fully liable for accidents that result from the driver’s negligence, inadequate tractor maintenance, blind spots, or wide swings.
- Tractor trailer Owner: If the trucking company uses a leased truck and the owner is responsible for maintaining it, you can file a claim or lawsuit against the owner, especially if the accident was due to inadequate truck maintenance or faulty truck parts.
- Truck Manufacturer: The manufacturer can be liable for accidents due to equipment failure. Manufacturers must ensure the vehicles they distribute are high-quality and safe.
- Government Entity: State government or contractors responsible for maintaining the roads can be liable for accidents because of bad roads, lack of signs, or bad road designs.
Note that other vehicle owners or road users can also be partly liable for crashes. Once your lawyer determines the liable party or parties, they’ll file a claim immediately, gather evidence, value your claim, and negotiate a fair settlement. Treating and managing truck accident injuries is pretty costly, so it’s best to hire a Clearwater tractor trailer accident lawyer from our team to help you recover sufficient compensation to help you with the bills.
Your lawyer will advise you on what to do to protect your claim after the crash and ensure you get the right medical care. Since our lawyers work on a contingency basis, you don’t have to worry about any upfront fees and costs.
Causes of Tractor Trailer Accidents in Clearwater Florida
Several factors cause truck accidents in the U.S. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of these accidents. Since tractor trailer trucks must travel long distances, the drivers are prone to fatigue. While fatigued, operating an oversized vehicle like a tractor-trailer poses a huge risk to the driver and other road users.
There are federal laws that outline hours of service for truck drivers to help curb fatigue and reduce accidents. Unfortunately, some trucking companies or drivers fail to adhere to these rules to meet a deadline. The driver can fall asleep behind the wheel and cause a catastrophic accident when this happens. Other causes of tractor-trailer accidents include:
- Drunk Driving: Driving while intoxicated is a crime in several states. This negligent and reckless act is responsible for thousands of crashes. The use of over-the-counter drugs also causes some crashes. If the accident was due to drunk driving, you might claim damages from the driver or employer.
- Distracted Driving: This is yet another leading cause of accidents. Distraction happens when the driver is eating, using their cell phone, fiddling with the GPS or stereo, staring at billboards, or talking to a passenger.
- Speeding: It’s difficult to stop a speeding commercial vehicle, especially a tractor-trailer. With their massive size and weight, these trucks require ample time and space to come to a complete stop. If a driver is speeding, they may not be able to stop in time in the event of an emergency.
- Wide Swings: When tractor trailers need to turn to the right, they may first swing wide to the left. To do this, they need enough room. If the truck doesn’t have enough room, fails to turn, or doesn’t signal correctly, the truck can squeeze into a smaller vehicle.
- Blind Spots: Large trucks such as tractor trailers have several no zones and blind spots on their sides and back. Truck drivers cannot see any motorists or motorcyclists in these spots. The drivers can change lanes or back up and slam into nearby vehicles.
- Equipment Failure: A faulty braking system and tire blowouts can cause crashes. Tractor trailers put their brakes, tires, and other parts under stress. If the trucks are insufficiently maintained or the tractor is fitted with low-quality parts, they can easily crash.
- Inexperienced Drivers: Tractor trailer drivers must undergo extensive training and have a special license before getting behind the wheel. However, a trucking company can employ inexperienced or under-qualified drivers to cut costs in some cases, which is a huge risk.
Several other negligent activities such as failing to obey traffic laws, road rage, and failing to supervise the driver properly can cause an accident. Also, poorly designed roads or insufficiently maintained roads can cause accidents.
Work With Our Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer in Clearwater Florida
If you or a loved one was recently in a tractor trailer accident, it might be best to hire an attorney from our firm immediately. Finding the right lawyer is crucial to the success of your claim. At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we’re ready to answer all your questions, review your claim, and go the extra mile to help you get compensation as you concentrate on recovery.
Contact us for responsive legal care. We work on a contingency basis, thus require no upfront payment to start pursuing your case. Call today.
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