Truck Accidents
About 500,000 truck accidents occur each year in the United States. Regardless of whether the truck involved is a big rig, a garbage truck or even a school bus, these crashes usually result in greater damage and more significant injuries than passenger vehicle accidents. This is because of the heavier weight and larger size of a truck. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, truck accidents account for 12 percent of all traffic accident fatalities.
After a Sarasota or Bradenton Florida truck accident, victims often encounter some debilitating and extremely stressful consequences that may leave them permanently disabled and in dire financial condition. No doubt it is urgent that truck accident victims seek prompt medical treatment. But it is also vital that they consult with an experienced Sarasota or Bradenton Florida truck accident lawyer for FREE initial legal advice.
Truck Accident Causes
Several different factors may contribute to a Sarasota or Bradenton, Florida truck crash, such as:
Debris in the road, such as dead or live animals
Bad weather conditions such as extreme fog, rain or snow
Sleepy driver (Fatigued drivers account for about 30 percent of all truck accidents)
Impaired driver (Driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol)
Defective truck parts, such as tires and brakes
Overweight load or improperly secured loads
Inadequate driver training and/or experience
Bad road conditions such as potholes and unmarked construction zones
Reckless driving or failing to obey traffic rules
Almost 90 percent of all truck accidents result from human error, and about 75 percent are caused by the driver of a non-truck vehicle.
Facts & Statistics on truck accidents
The typical passenger vehicle weighs about 4,000 lbs, while trucks can, and do, legally weigh up to 80,000 lbs.—20 times the weight of most other non-truck vehicles
There are approximately 15.5 million trucks currently driving on U.S. roads
Two million of these are tractor-trailers (also known as semis, big rigs and 18 wheelers)
There are in the range of 3.5 million licensed truck drivers in the U.S.
About two-thirds of truck accidents occur during the day, in rural areas and on the weekends
Most fatal truck accidents occur in Texas, California and Florida (in that order)
Rarely are truck accidents caused by truck driver intoxication, about 1% of the time.
To compare, 22% of car accidents and 19% of motorcycle accidents are caused by intoxication
Truck Accident Help
If you suffered a serious injury like any of these:
1) a brain injury
2) lost limb
3) spinal cord damage, or
4) death of a loved one killed in a truck crash
you owe it to yourself to get the best legal representation. Hiring the right attorney to represent you and your family in your Sarasota or Bradenton truck accident case can make all the difference in the outcome.
Our experienced Sarasota Bradenton Florida truck accident lawyer, Thomas R. Harris of Harris Law Group recognizes the magnitude of truck crashes and will fight hard to ensure our clients receive the maximum amount of money compensation they are entitled to. To find out if Thomas Harris can help you, contact us for a free consultation at 941-366-0860 or toll free 1-888-717-4878. We will respond promply so we can get your case started and help put your financial life back together after devastating physical and financial losses.
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