Trucking Accidents

Florida Trucking Accident Lawyer

Carlson & Meissner

Tractor Trailer Accident Claims · I-75 · I-275 · U.S. 19

Trucking accidents are a fact of life in Florida. Tractor trailer trucks, eighteen-wheelers, semi-trailer trucks and other large vehicles with a gross weight of over 10,000 pounds account for a high number of traffic deaths in the U.S. Unfortunately, Florida is among the "Big 3" states for the number of truck involved accidents (along with California and Texas). Tractor trailers are responsible for fatal accidents at a rate that is 50% higher than the rate for all other vehicles on the road.

Assisting Victims in Pursuit of Compensation

The Law Offices of Carlson & Meissner has been assisting accident victims to obtain fair and just compensation since 1971. To schedule a consultation with an experienced Florida truck accident lawyer at our firm, contact us through this Web site or by phone at 800-LAW-5655.

Government Regulations Seek to Prevent Trucking Accidents

In an effort to stem the escalation of trucking accidents in the 1990's, the federal government enacted several regulations to help keep highways safer from careless truck driving. Studies indicated that driver fatigue played a major role in trucking accidents; therefore, limits were set on the number of hours per day a driver could spend behind the wheel. Surveys by consumer groups and highway safety advocates reveal that many drivers of 18 wheelers violate the regulations on hours of service. Other causes of trucking accidents may be:

Overloaded trucks

Dangerous driver with history of accidents or traffic violations

Failure to properly maintain vehicles

Untrained, poorly trained or inexperienced driver

Oversized trucks

Poorly maintained brakes

No underride protection guard installed on truck

Speeding or driving too fast for road and weather conditions

Driving during unsafe conditions: weather, smoke, fog

Aggressive driving

Failure to yield right of way

Inoperative or unsafe vehicle systems such as reflectors, lights, etc.

Losing control, running off road, following too closely

Who is at Fault?

When a truck is at fault in an accident, there may be several at-fault parties: the driver, the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, the shipper, or any other party who in any way contributed to the accident - such as the manufacturer of a defective tire, or the manufacturer of a defective vehicle. Trucking companies keep representatives on call to investigate accidents and may have someone at the accident scene immediately to gather evidence. It is crucial, therefore, that you consider attorney representation immediately so that no evidence is destroyed. Securing the evidence is helpful in proving liability when an accident occurs. An experienced attorney can do this for you.

Contact the trucking accident attorney of Carlson & Meissner to schedule a free initial consultation after a semi truck accident. Learn how we can help you obtain the compensation needed to cover medical bills, lost wages, and needed treatment and therapy that you may require for years to come.