
Any time two vehicles are involved in an accident, it can result in devastating injuries. While this holds true when the vehicles involved are passenger vehicles, it is even more true when one of the vehicles is a heavy truck. Heavy trucks are just that, and they can weigh as much as 40 tons or more if they are overloaded or oversized. Heavy trucks are unique types of vehicles, and the challenges you will face when filing a claim for compensation are also distinctive. A Fort Lauderdale heavy truck accident lawyer can help you through the process so you can claim the fair settlement you deserve.
Our Fort Lauderdale Heavy Truck Accident Lawyer Handles Claims Involving All Types of Vehicles
Many people often think of tractor-trailers when they think of heavy vehicles, but there are many others, as well. Most commercial trucks are considered heavy trucks, and some of the most common that are involved in accident claims include:
- Flatbed trucks
- Mack trucks
- Garbage trucks
- Cement trucks
- Tanker trucks
- Rental trucks
- Dump trucks
- And more
The type of heavy truck that caused your accident is important. Each type of vehicle will raise its own issues about the laws that govern that vehicle and those who drive it. These laws are important to know when you are holding a truck driver or company liable and need to prove the negligent action or inaction that caused the crash. Speak to a truck accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale for more information.
Heavy Truck Accidents Often Involve Interstate Logistics Companies
A lot of heavy trucks on Florida roads are not managed locally. Many are owned or dispatched by national logistics companies based in other states, with decisions about routes and drivers made from a distance. When something goes wrong, these company structures can affect who is responsible and how your case moves forward.
Florida Crash, Out-of-State Company
Filing a claim against a company based outside of Florida comes with extra steps. There may be questions about where the case should be filed, what rules apply, and how to contact the right people. We help you sort through those details and identify the best legal path forward, no matter where the company is located.
Chain of Command and Corporate Oversight Failures
When a company operates from hundreds of miles away, things can fall through the cracks. Dispatch instructions, maintenance schedules, and safety checks can all suffer without proper oversight. If poor communication or corporate shortcuts played a part in the crash, we will work to uncover those breakdowns and hold the right parties accountable.
Ways Trucking Companies Cut Corners
Some companies take shortcuts they should never take, especially when they think no one is watching. These choices are not always obvious until something goes wrong. If you are wondering what might have been missed before your crash, here are some of the signs we look for:
- Multiple federal trucking violations within the past two years
- High turnover rates for drivers
- Repeated overweight load citations
- Absence of electronic logging devices (ELDs)
- Use of leased vehicles with a poor maintenance history
- Drivers assigned back-to-back long-haul routes
- History of lawsuits involving similar crashes
- Poor inspection pass rates across the fleet
Patterns like these tell a bigger story about how a company operates. When safety gets pushed aside, people get hurt. We know how to dig through records, find what others missed, and build a case that shows exactly where things went wrong.
Hidden Mechanical Failures We See in Heavy Truck Accidents
Heavy trucks have complicated systems that do not always give clear warnings before something goes wrong. Some of the most serious failures are the ones that do not show up in a quick inspection or a basic crash report. Here are two examples of mechanical issues we investigate when the cause of a crash is not immediately obvious.
Coupling System and Axle Detachment Risks
When a coupling system fails, a trailer can detach or shift suddenly, especially during a turn or when coming to a stop. These failures are often tied to worn locking mechanisms, broken welds, or skipped inspections. If a truck’s components were not properly secured or repaired, we know how to trace that problem back to the company or maintenance provider that allowed it to happen.
Load-Shifting Suspension and Brake Imbalances
When a truck’s suspension is off or its brakes are not working evenly, the driver can lose control in seconds. Uneven weight distribution or mismatched braking systems make it harder to steer or stop, especially on curves or inclines. These problems are preventable, but only if the truck was loaded, maintained, and inspected the way it should have been. We help figure out where those steps were skipped.
Our Fort Lauderdale Heavy Truck Accident Lawyer Explains Weight
Just as their name suggests, heavy trucks weigh a lot. It is also important to identify the type of truck that caused your crash because most trucks are subject to weight limits outlined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). A number of factors are considered when these weight limits are determined, including the body style of the vehicle, the number of axles, and how the truck is driven.
It is not uncommon for the weight limit of a truck to be as much as 80,000 pounds. To put that into perspective, the average passenger vehicle only weighs a few thousand pounds. It is easy to see how such a massive truck could cause catastrophic injuries to the occupants of smaller vehicles.
When truck drivers, trucking companies, or loading companies do not properly load a truck, the cargo may be too heavy, resulting in a truck that is over the weight limit. If a truck is too heavy, it can be particularly challenging to slow down the vehicle or bring it to a complete stop. Drivers are not always aware their truck is overloaded, and so, they do not understand they need additional time and distance, making the situation even more dangerous.
Our Heavy Truck Accident Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale Can Help After Injury
Heavy trucks cause some of the worst crashes on the road. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one, our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer at Rosen Injury Law, P.A., can provide the sound legal advice you need. We are passionate about helping accident victims and will work tirelessly on your case so you obtain the full compensation you need. Call us today at 954-787-1500 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.