Truck Accidents - Large Truck Litigation Attorney Orlando

Personal injury lawyers focusing on Truck accidents for injured victims throughout the State of Florida

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that since the late 1970s, large trucks have been involved in roughly 12 to 13 percent of all fatal traffic-related crashes. For the year 2000, NHTSA data showed that 4,930 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes; 101,000 large trucks were involved in injury crashes; and 351,000 large trucks were involved in property damage-only crashes.

Why Truck Accidents Can Be Devastating
An NHTSA-sponsored study concluded that car drivers in collisions involving light trucks would die at roughly twice the rate relative to similar collisions in which the car weighed the same amount as the light truck. In addition, passenger car and light truck occupants have higher fatality rates relative to occupants of buses and large trucks.

"Large trucks" weigh at least 10,000 pounds (gross weight) and are divided into single-unit trucks (such as box-shaped delivery trucks) and combination or tractor trailer trucks, which are trucks that tow other vehicles (such as the 18-wheelers that share our highways with us, which in some states stretch to double trucks or longer).

Because of their sheer size and weight, large trucks -- particularly fully loaded tractor trailer trucks -- can crush smaller passenger vehicles upon impact. These horrible accidents can cause traumatic injuries including damage to the brain and spinal cord, broken bones and loss of limbs, and permanent disabilities. Sometimes these accidents are fatal. Truck accidents can bring about lifelong medical expenses for those who survive and funeral expenses for the family if someone dies.

The experienced truck accident attorneys at Overchuck, Byron, Overchuck, PA, can help you secure the compensation that you and your loved ones need to recover from your injuries, pay your expenses, and move on with your lives.

Who Is to Blame in a Truck Accident?
Accidents involving these goliaths of the highway can be devastating. Cases and claims involving truck accidents can also be legally complex and challenging to pursue, because the driver may not be the only one at fault. The vehicle and equipment manufacturer, and/or the trucking company, may share some or all of the blame.

The two general categories of truck accidents causes are (1) driver error due to factors such as fatigue (often blamed for poor judgment and falling asleep at the wheel), inexperience, inadequate training, operating under the influence of alcohol and drugs (both prescription and illegal drugs), and driving at excessive speed; and (2) vehicle maintenance failure.
Truck accident claims and lawsuits become especially complicated when it isn't clear who is liable -- the driver, the trucking company, and/or the vehicle or equipment manufacturer.

While driver fatigue and speed are common causes, the trucking company may also be at fault if the driver were hauling overloaded freight or if he was under pressure to meet unreasonable deadlines. Equipment malfunction may involve manufacturer liability for faulty truck parts, or manufacturer and/or distributor liability for defective tires. If the driver failed to abide by State and Federal Regulations, both he and his trucking company may share the blame as co-defendants.

Both the trucking companies and the insurance companies realize how complicated truck accident cases can be. This is why it is so important for you to contact the experienced truck accident attorneys at Overchuck, Byron, Overchuck, PA, and not speak to anyone from the insurance companies.

In the event that injury or death results from a large truck collision, you will need a skilled lawyer in your corner to prove the accident resulted from another's negligence. Hiring an experienced Florida truck accident attorney can help you and your family meet mounting medical and other bills. The Overchuck, Byron, Overchuck team will work hard to show that the driver, trucking company, or maintenance worker failed to exercise a duty of reasonable care, which ultimately caused the accident and resulting injuries.

If you or someone you love has been in a truck accident, please contact the attorneys at Overchuck, Byron, Overchuck, PA, in Orlando, Florida. Contact our Florida Truck Accident Attorneys for a complimentary legal consultation.

Accidents involving large trucks are among the most serious and most deadly in the United States.  At Overchuck, Byron, Overchuck P.A., we recognize that handeling these cases require a thorough understanding of commercial vehicle regulations on both the federal and state level.  Trucking companies are required to follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation concerning their equiptment.  However we have discovered many fail to comply.  Our firm has the experience to handle all large truck litigation cases. 

Dangerous or careless over-the-road truck drivers cause many accidents. According to its most recent published report, the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA) found that in 2005 alone, there were 442,000 crashes in the United States involving large trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds. In these crashes, 5,212 people died and 114,000 others were injured. An alarming one out of eight traffic fatalities in 2005 resulted from a collision involving a large truck. Sadly, 76% of the deaths were of the innocent drivers and passengers who occupied the other vehicle involved in the crash.

Common causes of truck-related tragedies are:

• Fatigued, sleepy, or inexperienced drivers
• Inadequate training
• Drug or alcohol impairment
• Oversized trucks
• Overloaded trucks
• Poorly maintained brakes
• Absence of under-ride protection under-guard (WILL ANYONE KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?)
• Hazardous safety systems
• Speeding
• Dangerous, reckless, or aggressive driving