MIami Truck Accident Lawyer

Given their size, it's no surprise that trucks are capable of causing devastating accidents. Anyone on the receiving end of a truck accident in Miami is likely to suffer a catastrophic injury or extensive damage to their vehicle. This means they’ll need medical attention, as well as an experienced Miami truck accident lawyer . 

If you are lying in a hospital bed or injured at home, the last thing you want to worry about is paying your bills or other financial considerations. That is where a Miami truck accident lawyer comes in. Our experienced attorneys will aggressively fight for your interests and get you the compensation you deserve.

At Neufeld Law Firm, we have more than 100 combined years of experience representing injured clients. Our experience partnering with trusted medical professionals gives us a clear understanding of victims’ injuries and how they may impact the rest of their lives. These types of injuries ultimately cost a great deal of money, not to mention the emotional toll they can exact.

In 2005, Neufeld Law Firm represented a client who was hit by a large truck hauling automobiles. The accident resulted in devastating injuries. We pursued just compensation and were able to receive a $25 million jury verdict in Miami.

A Miami truck accident lawyer will aggressively pursue every legal avenue to ensure your financial stability through these challenging times. Most importantly, you don’t need to worry about hidden fees or unexpected costs when we represent you—we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we don’t get paid until we secure your compensation.

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COMMON CAUSES OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS IN MIAMI

Truck drivers are under a great deal of pressure to deliver their loads quickly. If they can complete a run before the expected delivery date, they stand to make more money. With this motivating them, it is no wonder that some drivers let safe driving techniques fall by the wayside. 

Accidents can be caused by many factors, including driver fatigue, speeding, and other unsafe behaviors.

IMPAIRED DRIVING

Impaired driving encompasses anything from driver fatigue to drunk driving. It means operating a vehicle while you are anything less than alert, awake and focused and sober.

Driver fatigue is one of the top safety violations that results in trucking accidents. While there are laws and regulations in place to prevent truck drivers from staying on the road for longer than they should, some drivers ignore these rules. Still, others are encouraged to ignore safety guidelines by their employers or clients in pursuit of profit.

Because companies make more money when their employees drive greater distances in shorter periods, they often encourage drivers to stay on the road as long as possible. While some companies are ethical and care about the safety of drivers and the general public, others are exclusively about their bottom line. If you or someone you know was injured in a truck accident in South Florida, call the personal injury attorneys of Neufeld Law Firm today! Do not hesitate or delay to make sure your personal injury claim falls within the statute of limitations.

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is irresponsible and dangerous when done by any driver. When a truck driver is under the influence, however, things are even worse. Why? Because trucks are perfectly suited to cause large amounts of damage due to their immense size. Beyond that, truck drivers are employed by trucking companies—their career is built around driving. It is reasonable, therefore, to expect that they (above other drivers) maintain a clear mind behind the wheel. But much of the time, that isn’t the case. If you or a loved one was injured by a truck driven by someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol, contact us today.

Distracted driving is another top cause of truck accidents in Miami. Common culprits include texting while driving and adjusting the radio or GPS system while a vehicle is in motion. Reading the average text message can take a driver’s eyes off the road for five seconds - more than enough time to cause a catastrophic accident. 

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HOURS OF SERVICE RULES

Violating the hours of service rules (FMCSA Regulations, Part 395) is a common cause of truck driver fatigue and truck accidents.

The primary hour of service rule is called the "11-hour" rule. It states that a property-carrying truck driver can only be on the road for a maximum of 11 hours after he or she has had 10 consecutive hours off in the last 14 hours. As far as passenger-carrying drivers go, they can stay on the road for up to 10 hours after eight consecutive hours off duty.

If you or someone you know was injured by a truck in an accident, it’s your attorney’s job to investigate the situation and determine whether the driver was following the hours of service rules and other regulations. If they were not following the rules, they may have been negligent in their duties to other drivers. As such, you likely have a case, meaning you stand to receive compensation for your injuries.

SPEEDING

Speeding is one of the most dangerous things a truck driver can do. Even in a sedan, speeding can result in injuries. In a truck, the danger of speeding is escalated because trailers can actually make trucks unstable and more likely to cause accidents.

TRUCK LOAD

There are load limits in the state of Florida and around the country that detail how much weight a truck is allowed to carry at any given time. Too much weight can make a truck difficult to handle, increasing the risk of an accident. Ignoring or neglecting load limits is a common cause of Florida truck accidents.

Certain truck accidents may be caused by unbalanced loads. If a truck is not properly loaded, it can become unbalanced and either tip over or impair the driver's ability to stop and turn. This can cause accidents and result in injuries to other drivers.

TAILGATING

More than other vehicle types, trucks must maintain proper stopping distance at all times. Failure to do so can result in catastrophic injury. If you or someone you know was rear-ended by a truck, call the personal injury attorneys at Neufeld Law Firm today.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Lights, a horn, and other safety equipment are essential to the functioning of every truck. Improper lighting or other broken safety equipment can cause accidents and result in a lawsuit.

HOW A MIAMI TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER CAN HELP

Semi-truck accidents can have devastating results for you and your loved ones. Our attorneys work as a team to ensure you receive the finest representation in a court of law and secure the compensation to which you are entitled. It is important to work with a law firm that has the experience and knowledge necessary to address trucking litigation issues. 

For example, a qualified Miami truck accident lawyer lawyer will know that truck drivers’ log books can be falsified. Sometimes there are two sets of logbooks—the actual trucking logbook and one that might be colloquially referred to as the comic book or joke book. Given the recent switch to government-mandated Electronic Logging Devices, we expect to see a decrease in falsified driving records—but it’s also possible that truck drivers may find a way to hack these devices.

Your lawyer should be familiar with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations and how they impact your potential case and the responsibilities of truck drivers and commercial carriers.

Our firm will consider all potentially liable parties in your personal injury case. In addition to the driver, the motor carrier or employee leasing company who hired the driver may be liable. Often, the truck driver's employment file will contain inaccuracies that were not properly vetted through the hiring company. There may also be undisclosed criminal records, driving safety violations, and other factors that can strengthen your case. In addition, the motor carrier has an obligation to make sure that their trucks are properly maintained and fitted with safety devices. Any violations will only add to your claim.

An experienced Miami truck accident lawyer will be ready to:

• Take the deposition of the motor carrier's safety director in addition to the truck driver— looking for evidence of fatigue, destruction of evidence, evidence of safety regulation violations, irregularities in the carrier's fleet-safety program, and pre/post-trip inspections.
• Take the deposition of the motor carrier's dispatchers, mechanics, accident reconstruction experts, and other corporate representatives.
• Submit motions to obtain the truck's safety data and the company's/driver's historical safety records and delivery schedules.
• Obtain EOBRD (Electronic On-Board Recording Device) downloads.
• Examine interstate truck tire tread depths.
• Examine interstate truck brake parts.

MIAMI TRUCK ACCIDENT STATISTICS

Well over 50,000 automobile and truck accidents occur every year in Miami. With that number sometimes rising well over 60,000, truck accidents pose a real threat to drivers. A serious accident can cause life-threatening injuries or death, and you deserve legal representation that can fight for you.