Many Florida drivers are afraid of large trucks (also known as 18-wheelers, big rigs, Mack trucks or tractor-trailers), concerned that their size and weight could push an ordinary car off the road. The truth is worse: In an accident, trucks have the power to crush cars. The massive weight of a large commercial truck brings a much greater physical force to the accident than a passenger car or truck can produce, and its higher bumper puts that force right at head level for most cars' occupants. That’s why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that three-fourths of all fatal truck accidents in 2007 killed the people in the other vehicle, not the truck drivers.

Passenger vehicles share some blame for truck accidents, but far too many are the result of bad choices or carelessness on the part of trucking companies and their drivers. Federal laws are supposed to strictly regulate truckers' hours on the road, but many truckers or their employers ignore these laws in an effort to make tight deadlines and maximize their profits. For the same reasons, truckers might be encouraged to drive through dangerous weather, drive too fast or even abuse drugs in order to stay awake. And trucking companies that put profits over their own people's safety may send drivers out with defective equipment, poorly maintained rigs or improperly secured loads that could cause a fatal accident when they fail.

When victims survive a trucking accident, their injuries can be very severe. Common injuries include brain damage, broken bones, amputations and paralysis. If you were injured in an accident involving a big rig, you have the right to sue the trucking company for the costs of your current and future medical expenses, applicable lost wages, and other expenses from your injury. You are also entitled to compensation for more intangible losses, such as the wrongful death or permanent disability of a loved one.

Cohn & Smith can help. At a free consultation, our dedicated attorneys can go over your case with you and explain your legal rights and options. We have more than three decades of experience helping people who’ve been seriously injured on Florida roads, including those with very serious injuries. We know all of the common tricks insurance companies use to avoid paying what they owe, and we will use that knowledge to cut through the tricks to get you the best possible compensation for your injuries.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, contact us online or call us at 954-431-8100 or 305-624-9186 to set up a free consultation.