Tallahassee Truck Accident Lawyer

Accidents involving large trucks are among the most serious and most deadly in the United States. At Shapiro Law Firm P.A., our Tallahassee truck accident lawyer recognizes that handling these cases requires a thorough understanding of commercial vehicle regulations on both the federal and state level.

Trucking companies are required to follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations concerning their equipment and their drivers' hours of service. In Florida, the Department of Transportation is also charged with the task of adopting regulations regarding the safety of motor carriers. Fla. Stat. § 316.302.

Because of all the regulations truckers have to follow, it is wise to get legal counsel to ensure that you get the financial compensation you deserve after getting into an accident involving a truck driver.

Understanding the Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Florida

The state of Florida has many laws in place to regulate the trucking industry. These laws control how long a truck driver can drive in one sitting, the weight distribution of the truck, and safety protocols. Even with regulations in place, accidents involving semi trucks still have the potential to impact your life and health.

Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding or reckless driving
• Drunk or drugged driving
• Truck defects or improper loading
• Inadequate safety equipment
• Unsafe driving conditions
• Driver fatigue

What You Need to Know About Driver Fatigue

Driver fatigue is a common problem, as hours of service regulations are routinely violated. Careful examination of records after an accident often shows serious and even fraudulent violations of those safety regulations.

Florida attempts to deal with this by imposing strict rules on the number of hours a driver can be at the wheel of a large truck. Generally, any person who operates a commercial motor vehicle solely in intrastate commerce not transporting any hazardous material may not be on duty more than 72 hours in any period of 7 consecutive days. Fla. Stat. § 316.302.

Despite this rule, careful examination of records after an accident often shows serious and even fraudulent violations of those safety regulations. However, trucking companies are only required to maintain many of those records for six months.

Without obtaining those records before they are destroyed, the injured person or survivors of a person killed in a truck wreck have a much more difficult time proving the trucking company's negligence.

Protecting Your Rights After a Truck Accident in Tallahassee

In order to effectively pursue a Tallahassee trucking accident case to its fullest potential, the lawyer you hire must be experienced in the field and well-versed in the laws surrounding trucks and their drivers. Our Tallahassee truck accident attorney can offer this and more!

Contact our Tallahassee trucking accident lawyer at (850) 629-7226 today so we can begin advocating for the maximum compensation to which you are entitled.