If you live in an area with increased big rig traffic due to manufacturing businesses such as Alienware in the Hammocks, and were involved in an accident with a big truck, call an experienced truck accident attorney to assist you through insurance and legal processes involved.
Impacts to economy.
The United States economy is driven by the nearly $700 Billion in shipped goods that rely on truck transport, starting with raw materials through the manufacturing process to the delivery to end users or distributions centers. Almost 71% of all U.S. freight is moved by trucks and the importance of truck transport impacts every corridor of the U.S. market, including food and beverage; healthcare dependent basic medical supplies and medicine; design and manufacturing businesses such as Alienware in the Hammocks; fossil fuel delivery necessary for power; mail and package delivery and waste removal, to name a few that impact activities of daily living in every neighborhood. For example, even though it seems like food supplies never wane because stores always seem to have what we need, experts say that it might only take three days without long-haul drivers on the road to cause grocery shortages, Floridians have a first-hand glimpse of this during hurricane season when truckers may not be able to get through storm conditions.
Driver restrictions.
Even though truck drivers are restricted on how many hours during a day, or week they are allowed to drive, most drivers average 2-3 thousand miles per week, increasing the possibility that roadway accidents may occur. Because the long-haul transport system is deadline driven, sometimes drivers and companies will push the envelope and drivers can become fatigued or distracted, reducing their full attention to safe travel.
CDL licensure.
Drivers of big rigs and tankers must have proper training and licensure to handle and maintain their carriers in a safe manner. It is the law to have a commercial driver’s license if you want to drive a load-carrying vehicle. Commercial driver’s records can show ticketed repeat offenses including speeding or improper maintenance of vehicles, and may have some bearing on a truck accident case.
Insurance and fault.
If a truck accident occurs, fault will need to be determined so that insurance claims or litigation can remedy any losses to victims. Florida Motorist Compliance mandates that all owned and registered motor vehicles are insured to make sure drivers involved in automobile accidents can be compensated for their injuries and damages.
Commercial Motor Vehicles require additional liability insurance under Florida Statute 627.7415. Florida Statute 627.7415, and Bodily Injury Insurance. Certain trucks and commercial vehicles in the State of Florida must carry bodily injury liability coverage, which is additional protection against claims from others for personal injuries an accident with a truck. If a truck driver does not carry bodily harm coverage, they can have their CDL suspended and if they have no insurance at all, their license, tags and registration may be suspended for 20 years or until a final court judgment has been satisfied.
Case support.
A legal professional can assist with the collection and analysis of related accident data to determine the percentage of fault for each driver. This data includes police reports, witness reports, travel logs, maintenance reports, car damages, roadway marks and other factors present at the time of the accident.
Hire an attorney.
Seeking effective legal counsel who have experience in truck accident cases is in your best interests to get the proper attention to your case, and a comprehensive settlement for accident damages in your individual situation.
Sources:
https://flhsmv.gov/pdf/crashreports/crash_facts_2017.pdf
https://www.businessinsider.com/grocery-stores-hospitals-gas-stations-would-suffer-without-truckers-2019-1?utm_source=msn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=msn-slideshow&utm_campaign=bodyurl
https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/trucking-industry-facts-us-truckers-2019-5-1028248577
