Commercial trucks in South Florida experience some of the most dangerous roads in the U.S. This is partially due to the area’s tourism that brings millions of additional drivers into the state each year. Many of them are unfamiliar with Lauderdale roads.
And even with new driving technology, many drivers still make poor driving decisions, get lost or find themselves in accidents with other drivers. As a popular spring break destination, experienced Fort Lauderdale drivers deal with a seasonal influx of young and largely inexperienced drivers. This adds to the likelihood of a tractor-trailer accident.
Truck crashes are more likely in Ft. Lauderdale due to its proximity to the interstate I-95. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that the I-95 corridor in South Florida is one of the most dangerous. Thousands of catastrophic injuries occur on this stretch of road each year, some of them fatal.
How can the Brian Pabian law firm help you with an accident claim?
Accidents involving large trucks must be handled differently than other types of accident claims. This is because there may be more than one party involved. Not only is the truck driver potentially liable, but so is the company he or she drives for. This makes the process more complex. When you contact Lauderdale truck accident lawyer Brian Pabian, he and his team can provide the following type of legal advice and counsel:
- Establishing liability: Who does the blame rest on? Who are the responsible parties involved?
- Sending Spoliation Letter: The letter requests the trucking company to provide access to evidence.
- Fact-finding: Discovery of the driver’s impairment, if any, reviewing truck logs, interviewing witnesses, etc…
- Estimating damages and compensation: Calculation of all the compensation you deserve.
- Scheduling appointments and arranging transportation: Help with medical appointments, and getting to them if you are unable to drive yourself.
Experienced a large truck accident in Ft Lauderdale FL? Call Brian Pabian today at 954-337-2288 for a free consultation.
Truck Accident Facts in Ft. Lauderdale
In order for a big rig to be considered a semi-truck by law, it must weigh 10,000 pounds. This means the truck driver must be highly trained and must allow for longer stopping distances than a regular car.
Large motor vehicles such as this must undergo regular inspections by safety inspectors. This determines whether the driver and the vehicle are safe to be on the roads. When it is determined it is not in compliance, the truck, or the driver (or both), is unable to drive for more than 10 hours consecutively. The tractor-trailer is then considered to be “out of service”.
However, it does not mean the truck is required to be parked and not on the road. It just means it can only be in operation for a limited time. If at the time of your car accident the truck or driver, or both, were found to be operating out of service, then it could increase the findings of liability.
How many truck drivers and trucks still operate when they are “out of service”? The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported the following for 2017:
- 5% of drivers were driving with out-of-service violations.
- 20% of the trucks were driving as out of service vehicles.
- 3.5% of Hazmat trucks did not pass inspection.
- 7.4% of all crashes in the U.S. involve a bus or large truck.
The statistics on traffic accidents in Fort Lauderdale, and South Florida in general, are 16x higher than the national averages. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a fatality reporting system. It shows that historically Florida’s highway system and turnpikes are some of the deadliest when it comes to collisions with trucks. Most accidents were due to either speeding or distracted driving.
What should you do if you are in an accident with a large truck in Ft. Lauderdale?
In the aftermath of a Fort Lauderdale truck accident, the last thing you think about is who is going to pay for the damages. Most are left shocked and often in pain, even after leaving the scene.
However, there is much to be done right after an accident in addition to recovering from your injuries or dealing with your grief. The pain and suffering that exist in these types of accidents can be traumatic, well after the actual event. Medical bills can pile up and become astronomical.
The state of Florida limits the amount of time you have to file a claim in such instances. Making a decision about filing a claim should be one of your top 10 things to do after a large truck accident in Ft. Lauderdale Florida. Other steps to follow include:
- Getting a copy of the police report.
- Getting medical attention.
- Bringing evidence to your lawyer.
- Documentation involving the incident and recovery.
Worst Places in Ft. Lauderdale for Large Truck Crashes
According to several reporting bureaus, Ft. Lauderdale the exits from State Road 84 are some of the deadliest in the county. To date, at least six people have died there. Most of the accidents occur when drivers try to take the tight turns too fast. When truck drivers do this, the results can be disastrous. The speed limits drop from 35mph to 15mph, but many drivers ignore this posted warning. As a result, semi-truck drivers lose control, hit the concrete barrier on S.R. 84 and often cross the westbound lanes. Dubbed the region’s deadliest road by the South Florida Sun Sentinel, multiple truck accidents occur for many reasons, including:
- Rollovers: When a truck driver overcorrects after swerving to one side. The quick correction flips the truck and it rolls.
- Pileups: Trucks cannot stop as fast as cars and in the event of an accident ahead of them, trucks often plow into the cars in front in an effort to stop.
- Jackknife: This occurs when a tractor trailer driver slams his brakes when going down an incline. This causes the trailer to swing side to side.
- Brake failure: Most larger trucks use hydraulics and air brakes. If they fail the driver is left with little recourse but to try and slow the truck by going off the road.
- Rear ending or head-on collisions: This happens primarily due to distracted driving or a driver falling asleep.
- Lost loads: Sometimes, the tethers come loose and a truck loses their load the road causing accidents.
Many accidents happen because others are negligent. If you have been involved in a large truck accident in Ft Lauderdale FL, or a loved one experienced a wrongful death, call Brian Pabian today to discuss your case.
About Ft. Lauderdale
According to the most recent census, Fort Lauderdale is home to more than 160,000 residents. That does not include the 12 million visitors who come into the area each year. Broward County has a plethora of highways, turnpikes and state roads. All of them become congested during peak tourist season.
Many of the state’s agricultural products use these highways. This places more commercial vehicles on the road with drivers coming into the state. Take the time to understand the best way to travel within Ft. Lauderdale before you visit to remain safe.
Ft. Lauderdale Information
Tourism is one of Ft. Lauderdale’s largest industries, accounting for more than 100,000 jobs. Tourists spend in excess of $10 billion dollars each year and use the infrastructure of the area including the cultural venues and seashores. Some of the more critical Ft. Lauderdale, Florida departments are listed below.
Ft. Lauderdale Courthouse
201 SE 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33301
954-831-6565
Ft. Lauderdale Medical Center
1600 S. Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
www.browardhealth.org/services
954-355-4400
Ft. Lauderdale Police Department
1300 W Broward Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
(954) 828-5700
Ft. Lauderdale Fire Department
528 NW 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
www.fortlauderdale.gov/departments/fire-rescue
(954) 828-6800
Ft. Lauderdale City Hall
100 N Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/
(954) 828-5000