Truck T-Bone Accident Attorney
T-bone collisions, also known as broadside collisions, can be one of the most frightening and terrible accidents anyone can experience, especially when it involves a truck. There are thousands of commercial vehicles on Florida’s interstate routes every day. According to the Motor Carrier Safety Progress Report, 103,811 large truck crashes took place in one year in the U.S., causing 3,260 fatalities.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that approximately 15 percent of all fatal truck accidents in the United States are side-impact collisions. Unlike rear-end collisions, in a T-bone accident, the door and window are the only buffers. Passengers in cars do not have a bumper, trunk, and possibly additional seats to blunt the impact.
In most T-bone accidents, the driver and passengers on the impacted side suffer the most significant injuries. However, the severity of the injuries depends on several factors, such as what part of the truck hit, how fast the vehicle was traveling, vehicle weight and construction, and safety features.
The force of the impact may cause one or more vehicles to spin out or rollover.
Common Causes of Truck T-Bone Collisions
Most T-bone accidents happen in intersections. But, of course, traffic is not supposed to cross an intersection at right angles simultaneously. Therefore, one of the two entered the intersection wrongfully; such as a truck that runs a red light and hits a car that is passing through the intersection.
As with other accidents, a variety of factors may cause a crash, including:
Laws Regarding Truck Accidents
All drivers have a responsibility to drive safely. Like all drivers, a truck driver is negligent when they fail to act with the level of care that anyone, under similar circumstances, would have used. A commercial driver’s license is a privilege and not a right. That means operating the truck responsibly and following the standards and regulations for truck drivers under state and federal law.
FMCSA
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is a government agency responsible for providing oversight for commercial vehicles. Its fundamental goal is to reduce accidents, fatalities, and injuries involving commercial vehicles. The FMCSA does this by establishing and enforcing a comprehensive set of regulations.
OCVE
Florida also has laws regarding commercial motor vehicles. The Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (OCVE) enforces such laws. For example, no vehicle may exceed a height of 13 feet and six inches and a width of 102 inches, exclusive of safety devices installed for the safe operation of the truck. Exterior rearview mirrors can only extend the distance that is necessary to provide an appropriate field of view.
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Commercial Vehicle Regulations
State and federal law also regulate other elements of commercial vehicle operation, such as:
Who May Be Liable?
Each collision is unique. There may be more than one person or entity responsible for the crash. The obvious responsible party may be the negligent driver of the truck that broadsided your car. However, the trucking company may also be liable for the actions of its employee. Trucking companies also are responsible for operating their business safely for everyone on the road. It is their responsibility to hire competent, well-trained drivers who have the appropriate licenses to operate commercial vehicles.
The trucking company also must maintain their trucks and keep them in good working order. Commercial vehicle owners must keep strict maintenance records. Federal law restricts how long a driver can stay behind the wheel without a rest period. Requiring drivers to maintain unreasonably long schedules can lead to accidents.
If a mechanical failure or poor truck maintenance led to the accident, the truck owner or the person or entity responsible for its maintenance might be liable. If a defective part, such as malfunctioning tires or brakes, caused the accident, then the manufacturer of the truck or its components may be liable for the resulting harm. If the roads were inadequately constructed or maintained, the appropriate governmental entity might be responsible.
Injuries That Result From T-Bone Truck Accidents
T-bone truck accidents can cause devastating and possibly fatal injuries. The average passenger vehicle weighs approximately 3,400 pounds, while a fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Therefore, if a truck strikes a passenger vehicle broadside, the occupants of the passenger vehicle have a high risk of injury.
Common severe injuries that can result from a T-bone truck collision
Injuries That Result From T-Bone Truck Accidents
If you have been injured in a truck crash, you may face enormous medical bills, lost wages, and an altered future. The damages you may receive depend mainly on the nature and severity of your injuries, their impact on your life, the strength of your case, and the financial resources of the at-fault party.
Generally speaking, victims of T-bone truck crashes can file a lawsuit seeking payment for:
In the event of a fatal T-bone truck accident, family members of the deceased victim may seek compensation for their loss through a wrongful death lawsuit. A wrongful death occurs when one person dies due to the legal fault of another party. State law governs who is entitled to sue for wrongful death. The damages they recover through legal action generally include costs and financial losses related to the death.
Were You Injured in a Truck T-Bone Accident?
Even if you believe you have not been injured or your injuries are minor, it is essential to seek medical attention. Some injuries, such as internal trauma, do not become apparent right away, or you may not be aware of the full extent of your injuries. If you delay medical care, your injuries may worsen. Medical records also are valuable evidence if you pursue a truck accident claim.
Do not leave the scene of a T-bone collision unless you must seek necessary medical care or call the police. If it is dangerous to remain at the scene, move to a safe area and call for help. If possible, take photos of your injuries, the damage to the vehicles, and the accident scene. Note any video cameras in the area that may have recorded the accident. Avoid posting pictures or comments about your accident on social media.
Contact your insurance company, but avoid talking to or signing any documents from the other party’s insurance company without advice from your own attorney. The insurance companies covering truckers and trucking companies against liability will try to pay as little as possible. Their policies often have higher limits and more detailed, complex provisions.
There are strict deadlines for filing lawsuits, called Statutes of Limitations, so contact an attorney as soon as possible. Truck accidents are complicated. Your attorney can handle communications, gather and preserve evidence for your claim, negotiate on your behalf to obtain the compensation you deserve, and take your case to trial if necessary.
If you suffer injuries in a T-bone collision with a truck, you should speak with an experienced, dedicated legal team. For more information or to arrange a free consultation, contact a truck accident attorney today.
Call us now at 1-954-781-2316 to schedule your free consultation. We are available to answer your call 24/7, and we are ready to help you in any way we can. When you choose to work with us, you can rest assured that you have a team of dedicated and experienced attorneys on your side who will fight tirelessly to protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.