What is a Trucking Company’s Responsibility to Maintain Safety?
Summary A trucking company's responsibility to maintain the safety of their trucks on the road is a very important aspect of their business they must comply with. Trucking companies must follow strict state and federal regulations governing truck maintenance and safety. Companies must regularly inspect their trucks and take any vehicles with mechanical issues out of service. Federal law also mandates that companies follow regulations concerning cargo loading. Trucking companies must hire qualified drivers and take steps to ensure those drivers adhere to federal and state hours of service rules. A personal injury lawyer can help you take action if a trucking company fails to follow regulations and you suffer an injury due to its negligence. [lwptoc depth="3" skipHeadingText="summary"] Many people assume the truck driver is to blame when a truck accident occurs. That’s true in many cases since commercial vehicle drivers often drive fatigued, are distracted due to smartphone use, or are impaired by drug or alcohol use. Also, truckers will often drive much too fast to meet deadlines. However, trucking companies can also share or get the full liability outright. They're also responsible for maintaining their trucks so those vehicles are safe on our state’s roads and highways....
Common Misconceptions About 18-Wheeler Accidents
Truck drivers often face liability for 18-wheeler accidents. Passenger vehicle occupants are hurt or killed much more often than truck drivers when an accident occurs. You can't obtain fair compensation for your accident-related losses without an attorney. You can take action against a deep-pocketed trucking company. The Eberst Law Firm has a long track record of winning truck accident cases. [lwptoc width="full"] The devastation associated with 18-wheeler accidents is horrible. There were nearly 5,000 accidents involving commercial trucks and buses in 2020, killing 847 people. Those lucky enough to survive often suffer catastrophic, life-altering injuries. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation regarding truck accidents. We’ll address some of the more common misconceptions in this article. If you lost a loved one or were severely injured in a commercial vehicle accident, please contact an 18-wheeler accident lawyer with The Eberst Law Firm. We have an extensive track record of success in similar cases and will do all we can to help you obtain maximum compensation. You can use our online form or call 1-888-CALL-JON for a free consultation. Misconception #1: Truck Drivers are Rarely Found Liable in 18-Wheeler Accidents Many people think that truck drivers routinely escape blame when 18-wheeler accidents...
Florida Truck Accidents Caused by Unqualified Truck Drivers
An estimated 3.4 million drivers operated commercial trucks on U.S. roadways in 2022. But just because someone is behind the wheel of a vehicle that can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds doesn’t mean they’re qualified to do so. That same year there were 99,600 accidents involving semi-trucks, leading to 5,276 fatalities. In Florida, 10,436 crashes resulted in 303 deaths. Many of these tragedies occurred because the person driving the truck had no business trying to operate such a complex piece of machinery. Truck accidents can have devastating consequences due to the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles. When these accidents occur due to the negligence of unqualified truck drivers – and the trucking companies that hire them – the risks escalate significantly. Unqualified truck drivers lack the necessary skills, training, and experience to operate these complex vehicles safely, leading to a heightened potential for accidents and injuries. The Eberst Law Firm will work passionately to help you obtain maximum compensation if an unqualified truck driver caused an accident that led to a severe injury or fatality. We have extensive experience in these cases and a long track record of success. Schedule a free consultation by contacting us online...
How to Win a Florida Truck Accident Case
If you've been in a Florida truck accident, you may wonder how to win your case and get the compensation you deserve. Winning a truck accident case in Florida can be a complex process, but with the proper guidance and preparation, it's possible to come out on top. That’s precisely what the attorneys with The Eberst Law Group do regularly. Our team of skilled, passionate attorneys knows how to win cases similar to yours. We’ll do everything possible to build the strongest case and help you obtain the maximum compensation you deserve. If you would like to schedule a free consultation, we urge you to contact us as soon as you can. Please contact us online or call 1-888-CALL-JON to learn more about how we can help. Identify the Liable Party and Gather Strong Evidence The first step in winning a truck accident case is identifying the liable parties and gathering strong evidence to support your case. The liable party will often be the truck driver or the trucking company. However, other parties may be involved. These parties could include the manufacturer of a faulty truck part, the contractor responsible for loading the trailer, or others. It’s essential to act...
Should I Accept a Settlement Offer After a Truck Accident?
If you’ve been in a truck accident, you may receive a settlement offer from the insurance company of the trucking company or the driver who caused the accident. It can be tempting to accept a quick settlement offer so you can move on with your life. But you need to understand the risks and potential consequences of doing so. The experts with The Eberst Law Firm will be here for you. Our team of attorneys will work to make sure you get every penny you have coming. We won’t let an insurance company keep you from obtaining rightful compensation. If you would like to schedule a free review of your case, you can contact us online or give us a call at 1-888-CALL-JON. Insurance Companies Aren’t Your Friend Insurance companies are in the business of making money, not helping accident victims. They aim to minimize the amount of money they pay out in claims. They’ll do everything they can to pay you as little as possible, including denying your claim or offering you a lowball settlement. They may even try to blame you for the accident. Insurers use a variety of tactics to try and get accident victims to accept...
Choosing a Truck Accident Lawyer: What to Look For
If you’ve suffered an injury in a truck accident, you’re probably going through a lot of stress and confusion. You know you weren’t to blame, and someone owes you money for your medical bills and other expenses. But you’re not sure how to go about getting that money. Choosing a truck accident lawyer can be stressful, but The Eberst Law Firm is ready to help. Our firm has the skill and resources it takes to help clients obtain the compensation they deserve for someone else's negligence. Truck accidents continue to rise in Florida, and people are suffering throughout the state. We have a team of attorneys who know how to handle all of the complexities involved in this kind of case and how to take on huge insurance companies and defeat them. Here are some tips for finding the best truck accident lawyer for your specific case. If you want a free consultation from The Eberst Law Firm, you can contact us online or call us at 1-888-CALL-JON. 1. Experience Winning High Settlements The most critical factor in choosing a truck accident lawyer is results. What kind of track record does the firm have in cases like yours? Getting the results...
Drug Use Among Truck Drivers Causes Accidents
Truck Driver Drug Use and Accident Risk Truck drivers are known to struggle with a number of issues that accompany their difficult lifestyle. The trucking life is not for everybody and it definitely shows. Semi-truck drivers are much more likely to suffer from serious health issues such as obesity, diabetes, alcoholism, and addiction to drugs. These health issues, especially addiction to drugs, make semi-truck accidents significantly more likely to occur. Truck drivers turn to substance abuse for a number of reasons related to the trucking lifestyle, and they all hurt both truck drivers and the people they share the road with. Which Drugs do Semi-Truck Driver’s Use? Truck drivers must operate their vehicles for exceptionally long amounts of time in which they are seated and staring at the same road view stretching on continuously. This has a way of wearing a person down and leading them to seek respite in a number of different vices. Some of the drugs that semi-truck drivers turn to as a result of their job’s conditions include: Cannabis The most common drug that is used amongst truckers is Cannabis, more commonly known as marijuana or weed. The usage of cannabis amongst semi-truck drivers has become even more prevalent since...
Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents
Semi Truck Accident Common Causes Semi-truck accidents have the potential to cause unprecedented levels of damage on the road to drivers simply trying to make their commute. One of the most terrifying things about semi-truck accidents is how easily they can happen. All it takes is a single mistake for a semi-truck to start an accident that can severely injure and possibly kill several people. These semi-truck accidents happen with terrifying speed and intensity after the first domino falls. There are some mistakes and issues that lead to a semi-truck accident occurring more than others. Those that have been involved in a semi-truck accident will have likely suffered some significant injuries. It is not unusual for victims of a semi-truck accident to survive the ordeal only to have to contend with a newfound disability, immense mental trauma, as well as being placed in dire financial trouble because of massive medical expenses, and lost wages. Luckily semi-truck accident victims can recover compensation for their injuries when they file a semi-truck accident injury claim against a negligent party that is liable for their actions. These semi-truck accident claims can often be complex affairs where no two are ever the same. Your case will have a...
Motor Vehicle Accidents Caused by Truck Blind Spot
Truck accidents occur on a far too regular basis on Florida highways. Unfortunately, truck drivers often engage in dangerous behaviors that increase the risk of a potentially fatal collision with a passenger car. One of the most common is failing to check their blind spot before trying to change lanes. When a car is traveling by a huge semi-truck, and that truck suddenly changes lanes with no warning, the results can be catastrophic. If this has happened to you or someone you love, you need to get in touch with the skilled truck accident attorneys at The Eberst Law Firm as fast as you can. We will get to work investigating why the accident took place, and collect the evidence needed to make your case as strong as possible. We’ll work to obtain a fair settlement on your behalf, but we’ll also be more than ready to take the case to court if necessary. You can speak with one of our attorneys by calling 1-888-CALL-JON or using our convenient online contact form for a free consultation. [caption id="attachment_2628" align="alignnone" width="900"] Cape Town, South Africa - February 17, 2022: Door and side mirror of MAN Trucks Brand Semi Tractor[/caption] Understanding Semi-Truck Blind Spots Every vehicle has a blind spot...
Defective Parts as a Cause of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents in Florida continue to rise. One of the reasons this is happening is that trucking companies, as well as truck drivers, are under more pressure than ever to make their deliveries on time. When they cut corners, such as failing to properly maintain their equipment, accidents are inevitable. Another reason, however, is that manufacturers will sometimes produce defective products that can fail at the absolute worst time. This can lead to a horrible collision. If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a defective part, The Eberst Law Firm is ready to help. Our firm has a team of truck accident attorneys who will do everything they possibly can to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Please use our online form or give us a call at 1-888-CALL-JON for a free consultation to learn more. Semi-Truck Accidents Caused by Mechanical Failure or a Defective Part It can be unnerving enough to have to share the road with an 80,000-pound commercial truck. When a motorist notices that a tire on a truck has blown out, or it can’t stop because the brakes have failed, that can be terrifying. There are a lot of reasons that truck accidents occur. Most of the time, it’s because a truck driver violated Federal...
Why Are Truck Accidents Increasing in Florida?
Truck accidents are not only incredibly dangerous. But they’re also incredibly costly for victims who suffer severe, debilitating injuries. Unfortunately, these devastating collisions continue to increase in number. Fatal trucking accidents in Florida jumped by 4% in 2020 compared to 2019. And trucking accident deaths have increased by nearly 40% in the last decade. In 2020, 344 Floridians lost their lives – the third-highest total in the United States. Why is this happening? As you might expect, there are a number of factors that seem to be playing a role. If you or a loved one has been severely hurt in an accident caused by a large truck, the attorneys with The Eberst Law Firm are ready to help. We will walk you through the process of getting what you deserve for your truck accident. And we’ll do everything we can to help achieve a positive outcome on your behalf. Please contact us online or call 1-888-CALL-JON as soon as you can to learn more about what we might be able to do for you. In the meantime, here are a few of the factors that have contributed to an increase in truck accidents on Florida’s highways. An Increase in Truck Deliveries Because of COVID-19 Anyone who visited a grocery store during the height...
Trucker Hours of Service Law and How it Impacts Personal Injury Claims
While truck accidents lead to horrible consequences, what’s even worse about these collisions is the fact that, in many instances, they’re entirely preventable. Truckers often cause devastating injuries and deaths because they push themselves too hard, and decide to drive while severely fatigued. Even though truckers are well aware of federal laws that are designed to stop fatigued driving, they often ignore those rules. In some cases, however, the trucking company is to blame for ordering drivers to continue to stay behind the wheel. Whoever is to blame, the attorneys with The Eberst Law Firm know how to investigate trucking accidents and determine who is at fault. If you’ve suffered an injury in a trucking accident caused by a violation of FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) hours of service rules, please get in touch with us for a free consultation. You can give us a call at 888-CALL-JON, or you can contact us online. What is the Hours of Service Rule? In an effort to reduce instances of fatigued driving, the FMCSA imposed hours of service limits on commercial truckers. These rules cover the number of hours truckers can be behind the wheel. Here’s a quick look at the weekly and daily hours limits, as well...