Common Injuries and Causes of Truck Accidents in FL
Recently, four people needed to be airlifted to the hospital and several others transported by ambulance for severe injuries after a commercial truck driver failed to slow down and barreled into five different passenger cars on Interstate 75 in the Sarasota area. Reports do not state what caused the truck driver to hit the slowed vehicle, but failing to stop in time is a common cause of truck crashes, and negligent truck drivers and their employers should be held accountable.
If you suffered injuries in a crash, you might be entitled to compensation, and you should contact a Sarasota and Tampa truck accident lawyer right away.
Serious Injuries from Truck Crashes
Commercial trucks are much larger and heavier than other types of vehicles on the road. When a truck crashes into a smaller passenger car, it can result in severe damage and injuries. Some common injuries from truck accidents include:
- Concussions and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Crush injuries
- Fractures
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Soft tissue injuries
All of these injuries need medical treatment, and many people require emergency transportation, such as the victims of the above-mentioned truck collision. Medical care is costly, and injuries can also keep you from working and hinder your daily life. You should always have a lawyer evaluate the best way to get your losses fully covered.
Causes of Truck Crashes
In Florida, your no-fault PIP coverage will compensate you for your medical expenses and lost income up to a certain amount. However, these policies are often limited, so if your injuries are severe, your attorney can examine whether you can file a fault-based claim. This requires your attorney to nail down the cause of your truck accident to determine who can be held liable.
Some causes that lead to injury claims are:
- Distracted driving, including using an electronic device, watching videos, having distracting passengers, reaching for items in other parts of the cab, eating and drinking, and more.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, including prescriptions drugs. Note that a truck driver’s legal limit for alcohol is only 0.04 percent, compared to 0.08 percent for most other drivers.
- Fatigued driving, which happens often to truck drivers. They regularly drive at night, which can increase fatigue, might have less-than-ideal sleeping accommodations, may have untreated sleep apnea, or might exceed the hours of service rules and drive for too long on the road.
- Speeding, which is a common violation of the law for truck drivers who are trying to fit in as many deliveries as possible. It can be difficult to stop a speeding truck in time to avoid a collision.
There are, of course, many additional causes that could lead to a truck accident claim.
Speak with a Sarasota Truck Accident Attorney Today
If someone else was to blame for your truck crash and injuries, a Sarasota truck accident lawyer at Matthews Injury Law can help. Contact us for more information and a free case evaluation.