Sanford, FL Truck Accident Attorneys

Sanford, Florida is part of a vital corridor for commercial transportation in Central Florida. Large trucks travel through the area on Interstate 4, and they also use other highways and local roads when picking up or delivering goods. These trucks can put people at risk of being injured in collisions, especially when safety rules are ignored. Truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage, and in the most tragic cases, people may be killed.

At The Doan Law Firm, our attorneys represent truck accident victims in Sanford and throughout the region, helping them determine what steps to take to address injuries that were caused by negligence. We work to ensure that the parties who were responsible for a truck accident will be held liable for their failure to protect injury victims, and we will fight to recover compensation that will address the damages suffered in these incidents.

How Negligence Can Cause Commercial Truck Accidents

Truck drivers and the companies that employ them are expected to operate with a high level of care. When they fail to do so, accidents can occur, and they can have devastating consequences. Different types of accidents may be caused by negligence, including:

Rollover Accidents

A truck that rolls over can crush nearby vehicles or spill hazardous materials onto the road, endangering other drivers and pedestrians. Truck rollover crashes often result from speeding, especially on curves or highway ramps, which may require truck drivers to make sudden evasive maneuvers or overcorrections. Unbalanced or improperly loaded cargo can also contribute to rollovers, or drivers may lose control due to distractions or driver fatigue.

Rear-End Collisions

When a truck driver cannot stop in time, they may crash into a slower vehicle or one that has stopped in front of them. A truck may strike a passenger vehicle with force, which can result in spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or other forms of bodily harm. These crashes may be caused by tailgating, fatigue that has impaired a truck driver's reaction time, distracted driving, or brake failure due to poor maintenance.

Underride Accidents

When a smaller vehicle slides underneath the rear or side of a truck's trailer, the driver or passengers can be seriously injured. These crashes are often fatal, and they may result from sudden truck stops, a lack of proper lighting or reflective markings, a lack of underride guards, or improper lane changes by truck drivers. Trucking companies may be liable for failing to equip trucks with adequate safety equipment or failing to maintain lighting and reflectors.

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife occurs when the trailer swings out from behind the cab, forming a "V" shape. These accidents often occur because of mistakes made by inexperienced or inadequately trained truck drivers, such as braking too hard or too fast or losing control on slippery roads. Improper loading that causes weight shifts can also cause truck drivers to lose control. When a jackknifed truck blocks multiple lanes, this can lead to multi-vehicle collisions and severe injuries for everyone involved.

Wide Turn Accidents

Tractor-trailer trucks need more space to make turns than other vehicles. Wide turn accidents can happen when a truck or trailer swings wide into another lane after the driver does not check for other vehicles or when a truck driver misjudges the turn radius of their truck and trailer. These accidents may involve serious crushing injuries when smaller vehicles are caught in the truck's path.

Blind Spot Accidents

Truck drivers must account for large blind spots around their vehicles. Accidents can occur when drivers change lanes without properly checking mirrors or using signals or when drivers fail to notice that passenger vehicles are in the lanes around their truck. In these cases, a truck driver may be responsible for failing to drive safely or failing to make sure side mirrors were adjusted properly.

Who May Be Held Liable for Truck Accident Injuries?

Truck accidents are often more complex than other types of motor vehicle collisions, because multiple parties may share responsibility. At The Doan Law Firm, we will thoroughly investigate each case to identify every potentially liable party, including:

• The Truck Driver: Drivers may be held personally responsible for negligent or reckless behaviors, such as distracted driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving while fatigued, violating hours-of-service regulations, speeding, or violating other traffic laws.
• The Trucking Company: Employers may be held liable for hiring unqualified or poorly trained drivers, failing to enforce safety policies, pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic delivery schedules, or failing to conduct routine maintenance or inspections.
• Maintenance Providers: Third-party contractors responsible for truck upkeep may be liable if brake systems, tires, or other critical components were improperly inspected or repaired or if maintenance records were falsified or neglected.
• Cargo Loaders: When improper loading leads to a crash, the cargo company or loading team may be held accountable for exceeding legal weight limits or failing to balance or secure cargo.
• Manufacturers: If a crash was caused by defective truck parts or safety equipment, the part or vehicle manufacturer may be liable.
• Government Entities: In some cases, local or state agencies may be responsible if dangerous road conditions, poor signage, or lack of road maintenance contributed to an accident or if construction zones were improperly marked.

Contact Our Sanford, Florida Truck Accident Lawyers

The experienced legal advocates at The Doan Law Firm understand the complex factors that can affect truck accidents, and work to ensure that victims can recover the compensation they deserve. Get in touch with us by calling 407-289-0000 and setting up a free consultation to learn how we can assist you with your truck accident claim.