Miami 18-Wheeler Lawyer
While we depend on 18-wheelers to transport our food, fuel, and just about all of our other consumer products, these road behemoths—when driven poorly—are a deadly threat to all other road users. 18-wheelers can weigh up to 10,000 pounds without being classified as an oversized vehicle, stretch to over 70 feet long, and stand nearly 14 feet tall. Semi trucks are difficult to navigate on roads designed for much smaller vehicles, and disaster is unavoidable when they are operated carelessly or recklessly by often half-asleep drivers. If you were injured in an 18-wheeler collision, a Miami 18-wheeler lawyer can help you prove that the at-fault driver caused the crash, and that the trucking company must be held financially liable for your extensive damages. Spencer Morgan Law has the experience and legal resources required to win a case against any of the nation’s largest trucking companies.
Damages in an 18-Wheeler Collision
The compensation you stand to receive depends on the extent of your damages, which are impossible to estimate until there is a clear picture of what your medical outcome will be. Damages can include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of joy of life
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- And more
Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Crashes
- Distracted driving—Distracted driving involves doing anything other than operating the 18-wheeler. Examples include texting, using a phone for any purpose, looking at a GPS screen, eating, drinking, and staring out the window daydreaming.
- Aggressive driving—Speeding, following too closely, intentionally violating right of way, and flashing lights/honking are common aggressive driving tactics used by 18-wheeler operators.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol—Drunk driving and driving while under the influence of cocaine, methamphetamine, and other drugs is a recipe for disaster, yet it is unfortunately common practice for some 18-wheeler drivers.
- Drowsy driving/falling asleep at the wheel—Whether a truck driver is following federal hour standards or not, drowsy driving can kill. There is a good chance that the driver who caused your collision was fatigued or falling asleep behind the wheel.
- Overloading or improperly loading the truck—Overloaded/improperly loaded 18-wheelers are more likely to rollover or take too long to brake in an emergency situation. Yet, trucking companies overload trucks all the time to save on expenses.
- Defective truck parts—Because of the heavy load towed by 18-wheelers, defective tires or brakes, for example, are even more likely to cause a collision than potentially defective brakes or tires in a passenger vehicle.
- Negligent maintenance—The trucking company is responsible for maintaining the truck to ensure that all of its safety devices—brakes, blinkers, front lights, tail lights, and other mechanisms—are in good working order.
Contact a Miami 18-Wheeler Attorney
If you were harmed in an 18-wheeler crash, do not wait any longer to speak with an attorney. Moreover, do not discuss your case with the trucking company or their insurance carrier. Call the Miami 18-wheeler lawyer at Spencer Morgan Law today at 305-423-3800 for a free consultation.