Truck accidents in Daytona Beach can be devastating, often resulting in serious injuries or even fatalities. If you or a loved one has been in a truck accident, seeking legal representation is crucial to get the compensation you deserve.
At Joe Horrox Law, we specialize in helping truck accident victims recover the damages they’re entitled to. Our experienced attorneys will work tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable and secure the financial compensation you need to move forward.
Truck Accident Statistics in Daytona Beach
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in 2020, there were 1,126 crashes involving large trucks in Volusia County, including Daytona Beach.
Of those, 172 resulted in injuries, and 12 were fatal. It’s important to seek legal help if you find yourself in this situation.
Understanding Federal and State Truck Laws
Federal and state truck laws are regulations that govern the operation of commercial trucks on the roads in the United States. These laws are in place to ensure the safety of all drivers and passengers on the road and protect the environment and the economy.
Federal truck laws include regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations cover hours of service for drivers, required safety equipment on trucks, and driver qualifications. Some specific examples of federal truck laws include the requirement for truck drivers to maintain logbooks of their driving hours, limitations on the number of hours a driver can operate a commercial vehicle on a given day or week, and mandatory drug and alcohol testing for commercial drivers.
Florida state truck regulations laws cover a range of topics related to the operation of commercial trucks on the state’s roads. Some key regulations include on the state level include the following:
- Vehicle weight limits: Florida has specific weight limits for commercial vehicles, which vary depending on the type of truck and the number of axles it has. Overweight trucks can cause damage to the state’s infrastructure and increase the risk of accidents.
- Driver qualifications: Commercial drivers in Florida must meet certain qualifications, including age requirements, driving experience, and passing a skills test. They must also maintain a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) and adhere to federal regulations.
- Hours of service: Florida has adopted federal regulations for hours of service for commercial drivers. These regulations limit the hours a driver can operate a commercial vehicle on a given day or week and require drivers to maintain accurate logbooks of their driving time.
- Equipment requirements: Commercial trucks in Florida must meet certain equipment requirements, such as having working brakes, headlights, and turn signals. Trucks must also display proper reflective markings and warning signals.
- Insurance requirements: Florida law requires commercial trucking companies to carry a minimum amount of insurance coverage to protect against accidents and injuries caused by their vehicles.
Violations of Florida state truck regulations laws can result in fines, penalties, and even license suspensions or revocations. If these regulations or laws were not being followed when an accident occured, this could be used as evidence to help victims recover compensation.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Daytona Beach
Truck accidents can happen for many reasons. While this is true, some causes are more common than others. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Daytona Beach include the following:
Driver Error
Driver error is a common cause of truck accidents in Daytona Beach. This can include reckless or aggressive driving, speeding, distracted driving (such as texting or using a phone while driving), driving while intoxicated, or failing to obey traffic laws or signals.
Commercial truck drivers are held to high safety standards and must comply with federal regulations governing their behavior on the road.
Fatigue
Fatigue is another common cause of truck accidents in Daytona Beach. Truck drivers often work long hours, sometimes driving for days without adequate rest breaks.
Fatigue can impair a driver’s judgment, reaction time, and ability to stay alert, increasing the risk of accidents. To combat this, federal regulations limit the hours a commercial truck driver can drive in a day or week.
When truck drivers and trucking companies fail to comply with these regulations and cause an accident due to fatigue, they may be liable for the resulting injuries and losses.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a significant cause of truck accidents in Daytona Beach. Distractions can include anything that diverts a driver’s attention from the road, such as texting or talking on the phone, eating, drinking, adjusting the radio or GPS, or even daydreaming.
Commercial truck drivers are prohibited from texting while driving, and the use of hand-held phones is also restricted. If a truck driver causes an accident due to distracted driving, they may be liable for any resulting injuries and losses.
Speeding
Speeding is a common cause of truck accidents in Daytona Beach. Large commercial trucks are much heavier than passenger cars and require longer stopping distances. When truck drivers exceed the speed limit or drive too fast for the road or weather conditions, they increase the risk of accidents, especially in areas with heavy traffic or road construction.
Federal regulations require commercial truck drivers to obey posted speed limits and reduce their speed in adverse weather or road conditions. If a truck driver causes an accident due to speeding, they may be liable for any resulting injuries and losses.
Mechanical Issues
Mechanical issues can also be a cause of truck accidents in Daytona Beach. Commercial trucks require regular maintenance to ensure they are in good working condition.
Neglecting to perform necessary repairs, failing to inspect equipment before a trip, or using defective or worn-out parts can all lead to mechanical failures on the road. Mechanical issues that can cause accidents include brake failure, tire blowouts, and steering problems. If mechanical issues cause a truck accident, the trucking company or mechanic responsible for maintaining the truck may be held liable for any resulting injuries and losses.
Improper Loading
Improper loading or securing of cargo can also cause truck accidents in Daytona Beach.
Commercial trucks carry large and heavy loads that must be properly secured to prevent shifting or falling off the truck during transit. If the cargo is not loaded correctly, it can cause the truck to become unstable or even tip over, resulting in a serious accident.
Federal regulations require commercial truck drivers and their employers to properly load and secure cargo before the truck is driven on the road. If a truck accident is caused by improper loading, the trucking company or loading crew responsible for the cargo may be held liable for any resulting injuries and losses.
Potentially Liable Parties in a Daytona Beach Truck Accident
In a truck accident in Daytona Beach, there can be several potentially liable parties depending on the case’s specific circumstances. These may include:
- The truck driver: If the driver was negligent or violated federal regulations, they may be liable for the accident.
- The trucking company: The company that owns the truck and employs the driver may be liable if they fail to properly maintain the truck or encourage the driver to violate federal regulations.
- The manufacturer or seller of a defective truck or truck part: If a mechanical issue caused the accident, the manufacturer or seller of the truck or the defective part might be liable.
- The cargo owner or loader: If the accident was caused by improperly loaded or secured cargo, the cargo owner or the loading crew might be held responsible.
Determining liability in a truck accident can be complex, and it’s important to work with an experienced attorney who can investigate the circumstances of the accident and identify all parties who may be liable.
Proving Liability in a Daytona Beach Truck Accident Case
Proving liability in a truck accident can be a complex process that requires a thorough investigation of the accident and the parties involved. To prove liability, our legal team will do the following:
- Obtain evidence: This can include police reports, witness statements, photos or videos of the accident scene, and other relevant documents.
- Analyze the evidence: An attorney will review the evidence to determine the cause of the accident and identify any parties who may be liable.
- Consult with experts: An attorney may work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical experts, or other professionals to analyze the evidence and determine the extent of damages.
- Review records: An attorney may review the truck driver’s logbook, maintenance records, and other documents to determine if federal regulations were violated.
- File a lawsuit: If necessary, an attorney may file a lawsuit on behalf of the victim to hold the liable parties accountable and obtain compensation for damages.
Proving liability in a truck accident can be a complex and challenging process, but with the help of our experienced attorneys, we can help victims obtain the compensation they deserve.
Our Experienced Daytona Beach Truck Accident Attorneys Are Here To Help
If you or a loved one were in a Daytona Beach truck accident, seeking legal help from a skilled and experienced attorney is important. At Joe Horrox Law, we specialize in helping truck accident victims recover the compensation they deserve.
Our attorneys understand the complexities of truck accident cases and will fight tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable for your injuries and losses. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
