Jacksonville Truck Accident Attorneys

Compassionate Representation for Truck Accident Victims Nationwide

Truck, semi-truck, and tractor-trailer accidents are some of the most devastating types of vehicular collisions. When a collision occurs, the consequences are often severe due to the overwhelming size and weight of these vehicles. Victims in these accidents often suffer life-altering injuries that affect their ability to work, with exorbitant medical bills compounding the financial burden.   

If you suffered serious injuries in a truck accident that wasn’t your fault, our team at Edwards & Ragatz, P.A. is ready to help you recover damages. These cases can be especially complex, as liability is not always as straightforward as typical car accidents. With over 150+ years of combined legal experience and millions recovered for accident victims, our Jacksonville truck accidents understand how to investigate these collisions, determine liability, and hold the responsible parties accountable. We will work closely with you to develop a personalized legal approach that aims to secure the full compensation you need to heal and move forward.

Do not wait to get legal advice if you recently sustained injuries in a crash involving a truck. We want to hear from you, so schedule a free initial consultation by contacting us online or calling (904) 295-1050 today.

Federal Trucking Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets regulations to improve the safety of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) and their drivers. These regulations play a crucial role in preventing and managing truck accidents.

Here are some key FMCSA regulations related to truck accidents:

• Hours of Service (HOS): FMCSA's HOS regulations limit the number of hours truck drivers can operate their vehicles to prevent fatigue. Drivers must adhere to specific limits on driving time, rest periods, and work hours. For example, the regulations generally allow drivers to operate a CMV for up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty and restrict driving to 60 hours in a 7-day period or 70 hours in an 8-day period.
• Vehicle Maintenance: FMCSA requires regular maintenance and inspections of CMVs to ensure they are in safe operating condition. Drivers and carriers must perform pre-trip inspections and report any defects. Failure to maintain vehicles properly can contribute to accidents.
• Driver Qualifications: FMCSA sets standards for driver qualifications, including obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), meeting medical requirements, and maintaining a clean driving record. Ensuring that drivers are qualified and healthy helps prevent accidents caused by driver inexperience or health issues.
• Drug and Alcohol Testing: FMCSA mandates drug and alcohol testing for drivers before they are hired, and random testing during employment. This regulation helps to ensure that drivers are not under the influence of substances that could impair their driving abilities.
• Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): ELDs are used to record a driver’s hours of service electronically. This regulation helps enforce HOS rules and provides accurate records of driving and rest periods, making it easier to track compliance and prevent fatigue-related accidents.
• Safety Equipment: FMCSA requires CMVs to be equipped with specific safety equipment, such as functioning brakes, lights, and mirrors. This equipment is crucial for the safe operation of trucks and can help prevent accidents.
• Accident Reporting: In the event of an accident involving a CMV, FMCSA requires certain accidents to be reported. This includes accidents that result in fatalities, injuries, or significant property damage. Proper reporting helps in investigating accidents and improving safety measures.
• Driver Training and Safety Programs: FMCSA encourages motor carriers to implement driver training and safety programs to enhance driving skills and safety awareness. This includes defensive driving courses and other training to reduce accident risks.

If a trucking company fails to adhere to FMCSA regulations, it risks serious consequences that can extend beyond regulatory penalties. Non-compliance can lead to increased accident rates, placing drivers, other road users, and the company itself in significant danger. This negligence can result in hefty fines, legal liabilities, and potential revocation of operating licenses.

Additionally, a company's reputation may suffer irreparable damage, affecting client trust and business relationships. Ultimately, the safety of everyone on the road is compromised, underscoring the critical importance of strict adherence to FMCSA guidelines.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Several types of negligence can lead to truck accidents. Though driver negligence is a common cause, the negligence of one or more additional parties can in some cases play a significant role. Determining the source of negligence often requires careful investigation, and our Jacksonville truck accident attorneys are prepared to ascertain what caused your accident and who can be held responsible for your injuries and losses.

Many Florida truck accidents are caused by:

• Fatigued driving: Commercial truck drivers often face tight delivery schedules and long-distance routes that require them to be on the road for extended periods. This can lead to excessive fatigue, which impairs cognition, slows reaction time, and can even result in “microsleep” episodes where the driver momentarily loses consciousness. When managing such a large vehicle, even a few seconds of drowsiness can lead to catastrophic consequences. Truck drivers must follow rules that limit how long they can drive without mandatory rest breaks. These rules are sometimes ignored to meet quotas, however, putting everyone on the road at risk.
• Intoxicated driving: Consuming alcohol or drugs impairs a driver's ability to operate their vehicle safely. These substances can alter the driver's judgment, coordination, and reaction times, making a collision far more likely. For truck drivers, who are already managing large, heavy vehicles that require more skill to control, these effects can be even more dangerous. It is important to note that intoxication is not limited to illegal drugs or alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs can also impair driving abilities, especially if abused or combined with alcohol. 
• Distracted driving: Any activity that diverts attention from driving, such as texting or using the phone, is extremely dangerous. Trucks require longer distances to stop or adjust their course due to their mass, so a momentary lapse in concentration can prevent drivers from recognizing and responding to changes in the driving environment, such as unexpected obstacles or changes in traffic.
• Insufficient training. Commercial trucks are complex machines that require a unique skill set to operate safely. Unfortunately, some trucking companies may skimp on thorough training programs in an effort to save time and money and ultimately put inadequately trained drivers behind the wheel. As a result, these drivers may lack the necessary skills to handle challenging road conditions, maneuver the vehicle safely, or react properly in emergency situations.
• Improperly loaded cargo: Commercial trucks are designed to carry heavy loads, but if this cargo is not loaded properly, it can lead to dangerous situations on the road. If the weight of the cargo is not evenly distributed, it can cause the truck to become unstable, especially when turning or braking. This imbalance can lead to the truck flipping over or veering off the road. A truck’s cargo may even spill onto the roadway, posing a significant risk to other motorists.
• Inadequate vehicle maintenance: Trucks require regular inspection and maintenance to ensure their safe operation. These vehicles are subject to significant wear and tear due to their long hours on the road and the heavy loads they carry. Critical components such as brakes, tires, steering systems, and lights must be kept in optimal condition to prevent malfunctions. Despite stringent laws requiring regular maintenance and inspections, some trucking companies or drivers may neglect these crucial tasks in an attempt to cut costs or save time, thereby increasing the risk of accidents.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Many truck accident injuries will be immediately apparent, but some may not be. You must seek medical attention as soon as you can after the collision even if you feel fine, however. Some injuries frequently caused by these accidents, particularly brain injuries and internal injuries, may not present symptoms right away but can be serious or even fatal if left untreated.

Our Jacksonville truck accident lawyers can advocate for you if you suffered any of the following injuries due to negligence:

• Brain injuries: These can result from the head violently hitting an object or from an object piercing the skull and damaging the brain. Brain injuries can lead to cognitive problems, emotional changes, and physical disabilities.
• Spinal cord injuries: These injuries occur when the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal suffer damage. In a truck accident, they can be caused by the force of the impact, leading to temporary or permanent paralysis and loss of sensation.
• Broken bones and fractures: The force of a truck accident can fracture skulls, ribs, arms, legs, and other bones. Depending on the severity of the collision, these injuries may require surgical intervention.
• Internal injuries: The extreme forces involved in a truck collision can also cause internal injuries, including damage to the heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys. These injuries can be life-threatening and often require immediate medical attention.
• Burns: If a truck accident results in a fire, occupants of the vehicles involved can suffer serious burns. These are not only extremely painful but can also lead to permanent scarring and disfigurement.
• Lacerations: Broken glass and metal can cause deep cuts or lacerations/gashes that can result in significant blood loss. In severe cases, these injuries may require stitches, surgery, or could even lead to amputation.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Florida Truck Accident?

In any given case, one or multiple parties could bear responsibility for a truck accident. A thorough investigation is usually required to determine the exact cause of the accident and identify all parties who may be held liable. This is just one of the reasons why having experienced truck accident injury lawyers on your side is so important. We will work to identify all liable parties to maximize what you recover.

Any of the following parties could be potentially liable for a Florida truck accident:

• The truck driver: The driver can be held liable if they were driving recklessly or negligently at the time of the collision. Again, examples of negligent behavior include speeding, driving under the influence, or driving while fatigued.  
• The trucking company: The company that employs the driver can sometimes be held liable for a truck accident, especially if they were negligent in their hiring practices, failed to properly train their drivers, or encouraged unsafe practices, such as disregarding hours-of-service regulations. 
• The cargo loading company: If improper loading of cargo contributed to the accident, the company responsible for loading the truck may be held liable. This could include situations where the cargo was overloaded, improperly balanced, or not adequately secured.
• The truck or truck component manufacturer: If a defect in the truck or one of its components contributed to the accident, the manufacturer of the truck or the faulty part may be held liable. 
• The truck’s maintenance company: If the truck accident was caused by a failure to properly maintain the truck, the party responsible for the truck's maintenance can be held liable. This could be an external company or the trucking company itself depending on who was responsible for the maintenance.

You will not owe us a dollar unless we win your truck accident case, so call (904) 295-1050 or contact us online today!