St. Petersburg, Florida Truck Accident Lawyers

Attorneys for Injuries in Commercial Truck Accidents in St. Petersburg

The roads in St. Petersburg, Florida see a great deal of commercial truck traffic, from tractor-trailers transporting goods to delivery trucks that drive through local streets. These large commercial vehicles can put other motorists at risk of harm. When truck drivers, trucking companies, or other parties act negligently, truck accidents can take place, and they may lead to catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.

Victims of truck accidents may face some unique challenges. These collisions often involve multiple parties who could potentially be liable, and the injuries suffered by victims may be so severe that they can permanently alter a person’s life. Mickey Keenan, P.A. has the experience, resources, and determination needed to handle these complex cases. Our attorneys have earned numerous awards for our advocacy for clients, but what truly drives us is our commitment to every person we represent. Our willingness to fight against well-funded opponents like large trucking companies ensures that we can help truck accident victims obtain the compensation they deserve.

Why Commercial Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous

A fully loaded 18-wheeler may weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, while the average passenger car weighs approximately 4,000 pounds. When a truck that weighs 20 times as much as a car is involved in a collision, the occupants of the smaller vehicle will absorb a tremendous amount of force. Even relatively low-speed collisions can cause serious injuries.

Large trucks have significantly longer stopping distances than passenger vehicles. A fully loaded tractor-trailer truck traveling at 65 miles per hour may need more than 500 feet to come to a complete stop. When road conditions are poor or when the truck is not properly maintained, stopping distances may be even longer. Truck drivers who follow too closely behind other vehicles or who do not react to traffic correctly may be unable to stop in time to avoid collisions.

The height difference between trucks and cars can also lead to serious injuries in accidents. In an underride accident, a smaller vehicle may slide beneath the trailer of a truck. These accidents can cause severe head and neck injuries. While some trucks may have underride guards on their trailers, these safety devices do not always prevent accidents.

Large trucks have significant blind spots where cars can disappear from the view of a truck driver. These blind spots extend along both sides of the truck, directly behind the trailer, and in front of the cab. When truck drivers change lanes or make turns without checking their surroundings and looking for vehicles in their blind spots, devastating collisions can occur.

Catastrophic Injuries from Truck Accidents

The injuries that can occur in truck accidents may require extensive medical treatment, and they can cause permanent impairments. Traumatic brain injuries may occur when a person hits their head in a collision. These injuries can result in cognitive impairments, memory loss, personality changes, difficulty with speech or language, and other issues that may lead to permanent disabilities.

Spinal cord injuries in truck accidents can be especially serious. These injuries can lead to paralysis, loss of control of the bladder and bowels, chronic pain, and other medical issues or disabilities. People who suffer spinal cord injuries will often require extensive medical care and assistive devices, and they may never be able to work again. The financial costs of spinal cord injuries often add up to millions of dollars over a victim’s lifetime.

Multiple bone fractures are common in truck accidents. Broken ribs can puncture lungs or other internal organs. Pelvic fractures may require surgery, and they can cause permanent mobility issues. Compound fractures where bones penetrate through the skin can lead to infection and permanent disfigurement. In serious cases, amputations may be required.

Internal organ damage may not always be obvious after a truck accident, but injuries to the liver, spleen, kidneys, or other organs can be life-threatening. Internal bleeding may require emergency medical intervention, and damage to organs may result in long-term health complications.

Severe burns can occur when truck accidents involve fires or when hazardous materials are spilled. Burn injuries may require multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and extended periods of rehabilitation. Victims of severe burns may face permanent scarring and disfigurement that can affect them physically and emotionally for the rest of their lives.

Negligent Driving Leading to Truck Accidents

Truck drivers are required to follow traffic laws and federal trucking regulations. When drivers act negligently, they can put others at risk of harm. Driver fatigue is a problem in the trucking industry. Some truck drivers may violate hours-of-service regulations and continue driving after reaching the allowed number of hours that they can drive per day. Fatigued truck drivers may have impaired reaction times, reduced levels of attention, and impaired judgment, which can lead them to make mistakes and cause truck accidents.

Distracted driving is dangerous for truck drivers. Texting, using dispatch devices, eating and drinking, or engaging in other distracting activities while driving may affect a truck driver’s ability to pay attention to road conditions and traffic. When a driver does not notice important details, they may be unable to avoid collisions with other vehicles.

Speeding by truck drivers can increase the risks of serious accidents. Trucks that travel at unsafe speeds will need even more distance to stop, and drivers will have less time to react to hazards. Speeding may also be combined with other traffic violations that can increase the risks of truck accidents.

Trucking Company Negligence

Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring that their employees operate commercial vehicles safely. A company may be responsible for negligent hiring, such as failing to properly screen drivers before putting them on the road or failing to conduct drug and alcohol testing. When truck drivers who are unqualified or who have poor safety records cause accidents, the companies that hired them may be held liable.

Negligent supervision may occur when trucking companies fail to monitor the performance of truck drivers and take appropriate action when problems arise. When companies ignore warning signs such as repeated violations or failed drug tests, they may allow dangerous drivers to continue operating commercial vehicles, and they may share responsibility for accidents caused by those drivers.

Inadequate maintenance can lead to mechanical failures that cause truck accidents. Trucks must undergo regular inspections, and any defects that could affect safety must be repaired. Tire blowouts, brake system failures, steering malfunctions, or other mechanical problems may occur due to inadequate maintenance by trucking companies.

Liability of Other Parties

In addition to truck drivers and motor carriers, other parties may share responsibility for truck accidents. Cargo loading companies that do not load cargo correctly or fail to ensure that items are properly secured may be responsible for accidents that occur when cargo shifts during transit and causes a truck to become unstable or roll over. They may also be liable for accidents that occur when unsecured cargo falls from a truck into the road.

Truck maintenance providers that do not perform repairs correctly may be held liable when mechanical failures cause truck accidents. Manufacturers of defective truck parts, such as brakes, tires, steering components, or other systems, may be liable when defects contribute to accidents.

Building a Comprehensive Truck Accident Case

The attorneys at Mickey Keenan, P.A. can conduct thorough investigations into truck accidents. We will obtain police reports and other documentation. We can identify and interview witnesses who saw the accident. We can obtain logs and electronic data, as well as information such as maintenance records and inspection reports.

We work with accident reconstruction specialists who can analyze evidence, review electronic data, and provide opinions about how a truck accident occurred and who was responsible. We consult with medical professionals to fully document the injuries and damages a victim has suffered.

Through our comprehensive approach, we will build a compelling case that clearly establishes liability and demonstrates the full extent of a person’s damages. We will fight to maximize the compensation that an injury victim will receive.

Contact Our St. Petersburg, FL Truck Accident Attorneys

In situations where people have been injured in collisions with large trucks, Mickey Keenan, P.A. has the commitment to see cases through to successful resolutions. We stand by our clients throughout the legal process, providing honest guidance and fighting for their rights. Contact our St. Petersburg commercial truck accident lawyers at 813-412-8226 to set up a free consultation today.