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Pensacola Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck and Semi-Truck Accident Attorneys in Pensacola, FL
Dedicated Advocates for Truck Crash Victims and Their Families
Truck collisions can lead to incredibly serious injuries, primarily due to the massive size and weight of these vehicles. Pursuing truck accident claims often proves challenging, as trucking companies along with their insurance lawyers vigorously contest each claim.
At Whibbs Stone Barnett Turner, PA, our Pensacola truck accident attorneys balance the scales. We advocate fiercely for truck accident victims and their families because we recognize their struggles and the pressing need to cover their mounting expenses.
Engaging a truck accident attorney and reaching out to us promptly after an incident is crucial to preserve vital evidence and conduct a comprehensive investigation
Investigating Truck Accidents in Pensacola
In our investigations, our legal team gathers evidence, interviews witnesses, reviews trucking company policies and training protocols, and acquires records related to safety, inspections, and maintenance of the truck and driver logs.
Boasting decades of experience, we possess the necessary resources and expertise in trucking and personal injury laws to achieve significant outcomes. Our attorneys diligently pursue your Pensacola accident case while adhering to the ethical principles fundamental to our practice.
We pursue claims against the owners and operators of 18-wheelers in cases arising from various factors, including:
Aggressive and reckless driving
Backing up carelessly
Blind spots
Brake failure
Cell phone use/texting
Defective parts
Driver error
Driver fatigue
Drunken driving
Equipment failures
Explosions
Failure to inspect
Failure to maintain safety systems
Failure to yield the right of way
Failure to signal turns
Inadequate driver training
Lack of crashworthiness
Negligent hiring
Overloading
Overturning trucks
Poor design of the truck or its parts
Shifting loads
Speeding
Sudden stops
Unlicensed drivers
Unsafe driving
Unsecured cargo
Violations of the rules of the road
Weather
Real Help with Tractor-Trailer and Semi-Truck Accidents in Florida
Our Pensacola accident attorneys recognize the distinctions between handling semi-truck accidents and typical car accidents. A semi-truck injury claim involves unique challenges — different local and federal regulations apply to commercial drivers compared to regular motorists, and truck engineering and maintenance standards exceed those of standard vehicles.
Our Pensacola truck accident lawyers often bring in specialists to bolster your case, including:
Accident reconstruction experts
Human factors specialists
Truck mechanics with expertise
Engineering professionals
Medical authorities
In fatal truck accident cases, a Pensacola wrongful death attorney at our firm collaborates with our truck accident legal team to achieve the best results.
What Causes Commercial Truck Accidents in the Pensacola, FL Area?
Incidents involving large tractor-trailers can be particularly complex due to the multiple factors that often contribute, as well as the various entities that may share the blame. Some common causes of semi-truck accidents are:
Speeding/Aggressive Driving: Truck drivers frequently face stringent schedules, pushing them to exceeds speed limits and engage in aggressive driving. Such risky behavior significantly heightens collision risks. Larger trucks, weighing up to 20 times more than standard cars, require considerably more distance to stop. The Utah Department of Transportation notes that a passenger vehicle traveling at 65 miles per hour needs around 316 feet to halt, while a truck of 80,000 pounds at the same speed requires 525 feet. Exceeding speed limits increases the likelihood and severity of accidents. Truck drivers have an enhanced responsibility to operate their vehicles safely, adhering to speed regulations, especially under challenging conditions.
Distracted Driving: The majority of vehicle accidents involve some form of driver distraction. For truck drivers, the temptation to text or engage with smartphones during long hours can be enticing, contributing significantly to crashes. Texting while driving is a notable issue across all vehicle types.
Impaired Driving: To manage job-related stress, some commercial drivers resort to alcohol or drugs, whether prescription or illegal. It’s well-established that such impairments slow reflexes, alter judgment, and drive poor decisions.
Drowsy Driving: Fatigue and drowsiness contribute to many fatal accidents annually. Truck drivers are especially prone to these conditions from extended hours on the road, often at night when fatigue is challenging to combat.
Mechanical Failures: Given that semi-trucks log numerous miles monthly, proper maintenance is critical. Failures in maintenance can lead to accidents. The risk is compounded if vehicles or parts are defective.
Improper Loading: Large trucks have specific weight limits and loading procedures that must be followed. Exceeding these limits or loading them unevenly can lead to rollovers or tipping under certain conditions.
What to Do After an Accident With a Big Rig
The actions you take immediately after an accident significantly impact your health and your legal rights to seek fair and just compensation. Whether you’re reviewing this just after an accident or doing research, here are five essential steps to follow after being involved with a commercial vehicle:
Seek Medical Attention-Doctor First, Lawyer Second
Ensure everyone who may be injured receives necessary medical care. Call 911 for an ambulance; injuries may not be evident immediately due to shock or adrenaline, so getting checked by a medical professional is crucial.
Contact the Police
In accidents involving injuries (particularly with large trucks), police presence is important. The 911 operator typically contacts them, but if not, call directly. Police assist in securing the scene and generating an official accident report, which is important for determining liability.
Document the Accident
While the police compile an official report, gathering your own documentation can protect your legal rights. If able, take numerous photographs of the scene from multiple angles, and use a dashboard camera if available. Then, document your account of the event while it’s clear in your memory or record an audio report for later transcription.
Collect Witness Information
If there are witnesses, gather their contact details and ask if they’re willing to provide statements. Record any verbal statements while there, as memories fade over time.
Exercise Caution in Communication
Be courteous but avoid admitting fault when conversing with the truck driver, witnesses, and police, or during insurance discussions. Anything said could undermine your claim. Stay cautious and allow the experts to establish liability in the accident.
How to Drive Safely Around Large Trucks
Consider the following tips for driving safely around large trucks:
Whether driving behind or in front of a heavy truck, ensure there’s adequate distance to accommodate their needs. Many drivers of passenger vehicles mistakenly believe that large trucks require the same distance to stop or maneuver as smaller cars. This assumption is incorrect; due to their considerable weight, large trucks require much more space. Whether you find yourself behind or ahead of a big rig, maintain a substantial gap between your vehicle and the truck. This distance is crucial, particularly when changing lanes in front of a large truck—never cut off an 18-wheeler.
Be aware of truck blind spots and steer clear of them. Understanding where a truck’s blind spots are is vital when driving near large vehicles. These areas exist because truck drivers cannot see vehicles or objects within them, and trucks typically have larger blind spots than smaller cars. Key blind spots include:
Directly in front of a large truck for 20 ft.;
Directly behind a large truck for 30 ft.;
Two lanes to the right of a large truck; and
One lane to the left of a large truck.
Always pass trucks on the left and avoid what is referred to as the “squeeze play.” Make it a rule to pass large trucks on the left side, as truck drivers may not anticipate cars passing on their right, which has larger blind spots. Additionally, attempting to pass on the right can lead to a “squeeze play.” This occurs when a truck is preparing to make a right turn and shifts to the left lane for more turning space. A driver might misinterpret this leftward movement as the truck continuing straight and attempt to pass on the right. As the truck turns right, the vehicle could get “squeezed” between the truck and the curb, leading to serious accidents.
When You Need a Reliable Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Pensacola, FL
With over 500,000 trucking accidents occurring annually in the United States, and roughly 5,000 resulting in fatalities, trucking accidents are by far the deadliest vehicular accidents happening on the road today. If you or a loved one has been affected, reach out to a knowledgeable and experienced truck accident lawyer at Whibbs Stone Barnett Turner, P.A. We are financially capable of mounting any size defense against the largest insurance and trucking companies in the industry. And with our extensive courtroom experience, we are always trial-ready if a settlement offer is not viable for the injuries sustained by one of our clients. Give us a call for a free, no obligation personal injury consultation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. Remember….Make Your First Call, Your Best Call.
