Coral Springs Truck Accidents

Tractor-Trailer Crash Lawyers Helping Coral Springs Residents

The small South Florida city of Coral Springs was first incorporated in the 1960s. In the decades since then, it has been transformed from a marshy land with few residents into a thriving, carefully planned community of over 120,000 residents. Of course, with this progress has come increased traffic, including tractor-trailers and other large commercial vehicles. Accidents caused by semi-trucks may be devastating for people in passenger vehicles like cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs, and a truck accident attorney may be needed to assert their legal rights. The Coral Springs truck accident lawyers at Cohn & Smith, P.A., regularly represent people who have been hurt by careless truckers and trucking companies.

Although the community of Coral Springs does not have a major interstate passing through it, a seemingly endless stream of big rigs pass along busy roads in the area like Florida’s Turnpike, the Sawgrass Expressway, and Highways 834, 817, and 814. Florida law places many duties on truck drivers and trucking companies. When one of these duties is breached, and a motorist (or passenger) suffers damages as a proximate result, the injured party may seek monetary compensation through a negligence lawsuit. The claimant has the burden of proof in a negligence case and must convince the jury by a preponderance of the evidence, which essentially means that their version of events is more credible than the defendant’s version.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents may happen in many different ways, but excessive speed, inattention, and equipment issues are among the most common causes of serious crashes. A truck accident attorney in Coral Springs can investigate the specific cause of your accident and determine which parties may be liable. Tractor-trailers are very large and heavy, requiring a significantly longer distance for them to slow down or stop. If a trucker is driving too fast, it may be difficult or impossible for them to respond to slowed or stopped traffic in time to avoid an accident. This is especially true if the trucker is distracted by a cell phone or another electronic device or if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Bald tires, bad brakes, or an unbalanced load may further exacerbate the situation. In addition, a trucker who is fatigued because of having been on the road too long may have a slowed reaction time or may even fall asleep at the wheel, increasing the chances of an accident. A trucking company that does not require its drivers to obey state and federal laws, such as maximum shift times and mandatory rest periods, may be held liable when the driver causes an accident.

People who are hurt in accidents caused by negligent truckers or trucking companies must file suit within a certain time period in order to preserve their right to seek compensation. In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is four years. In wrongful death cases, the time limit is much shorter – just two years. There may be other deadlines in a particular case, such as a notice requirement in a case involving a governmental entity or employee or a statute of repose in a product liability case arising from a truck accident, so it is important to talk to an attorney as soon as possible after a serious or fatal collision.

Seek Guidance from a Truck Accident Lawyer in the Coral Springs Area

Holding a trucker or trucking company liable for injuries suffered in a crash is not an easy process. A thorough investigation of the accident scene is just the beginning, but it is a critical step. The trucker’s insurance company will be at the scene within hours, busily looking for any evidence that might help pin the blame for the crash on the injured motorist or even a third party. To talk to a Coral Springs truck accident attorney about representing your interests, call Cohn & Smith, P.A., at 954-431-8100 or contact us online. We offer a free consultation with an injury lawyer, so there is no reason to delay in seeking legal counsel.