Panama City Truck Accident Lawyer

Holding Negligent Truckers Accountable

While all drivers have a responsibility to avoid causing accidents, this is especially true for truckers, whose vehicles weigh as much as forty times more than normal passenger automobiles, and are capable of causing devastating physical damage in a collision. AtSeaton Law Offices, P.A., we are committed to defending the rights of accident victims and their families, and by choosing us to represent your personal injury or wrongful death claim you will have a former prosecutor on your side, fighting for you.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Trucker fatigue is among the leading causes of collisions, as the drivers are frequently under major pressure to meet stiff delivery deadlines and will often stay on the road far longer than is safe. In fact, the Federal Government has taken action to combat this hazard, enacting Hours of Safety Regulations to limit the amount of time a trucker can drive before stopping to rest. Fatigue decreases the driver's ability to react to an emergency and prevent causing an accident, similar to being under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medications-which is another common cause of collisions. Other accidents are attributable to recklessness, such as cornering or braking too quickly, as well as distracted driving behaviors such as texting on a cell phone.

Types of Truck Accidents

Semi-trucks and 18-wheelers are involved in all the normal types of accidents, such as head-on, rear-end and side-impact collisions, but they are also prone to certain unique varieties due to their size, weight and structure. Jackknife accidents occur when the driver hits the brakes too hard at high speed, causing the trailer to swing around, pivoting on the trailer hitch at the back of the truck cab. This has the effect of creating a wall into which following vehicles may crash, as well as potentially pinning and crushing a vehicle between the trailer and the cab.

Underride accidents take place when the truck stops suddenly, forcing a following passenger vehicle to ride underneath the back of the trailer and potentially crushing into the driver and front passenger. Truck accidents of all types are usually preventable, and the driver can, and should, be held accountable.