Truckers Who are in a Hurry are More Likely to End Up in a Crash
Commercial trucking is a competitive industry. Unfortunately, some trucking companies (and the businesses that contract with them) push drivers to operate on extremely tight delivery deadlines. A trucker who is rushing is dramatically more likely to be involved in a serious accident. Here, our Miami semi-truck accident lawyers explain the key things to know about crashes caused by truckers who are in a hurry.
Why Truckers in a Hurry Can Be Dangerous
A commercial driver who is under time pressure will predictably cut safety margins. That often means that a trucker will drive faster, leave less following distance, and make more risky lane changes. A fully loaded tractor-trailer requires far more distance to stop than a passenger vehicle. Reduced spacing removes the driver’s ability to react to routine traffic conditions.
Time pressure also drives regulatory violations. Drivers who are trying to meet unrealistic deadlines may exceed federal hours-of-service limits under 49 C.F.R. Part 395. Fatigued driving is dangerous driving, especially when there are tight delivery deadlines. Notably, a trucking company may face direct liability for negligent dispatch, supervision, or retention when it pushes a driver into unsafe conduct.
Know the Law for Truck Accident Liability
Florida is a no-fault state, including for truck accident cases. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits (Florida Statutes Section 627.736) pay a portion of economic losses regardless of fault. A claimant must seek medical care within 14 days to preserve eligibility. No-fault coverage does not resolve the entire case. It serves as a limited, first layer of recovery.
A bad truck crash caused by a trucker who is hurrying can give rise to a fault-based claim. In Florida, a bodily injury claim against the at-fault driver or motor carrier requires proof of a serious injury. The threshold includes significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death.
Recovering Compensation for a Commercial Truck Crash in Miami
Truck accident victims in Miami have the right to seek compensation for their damages. Through a fault-based claim, you can pursue damages for both economic losses and non-economic losses. Do not let an insurance company pressure you into settling your case for less. Along with other types of damages, you may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Vehicle damage;
- Ambulance costs;
- Emergency room care;
- Hospital bills;
- Physical therapy;
- Loss of wages;
- Diminished earnings;
- Pain and suffering;
- Long-term disability; and
- Wrongful death.
Call Our Miami, FL Semi-Truck Accident Attorney Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our Miami semi-truck accident attorneys have the professional expertise that you can rely on. If you were hurt in a tractor trailer crash because a trucker was rushing to meet a tight deadline, we can help. Contact us today for a free, no obligation case review. Our firm has offices in Miami and West Palm Beach and we handle claims throughout all of South Florida.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.736.html
