Articles Tagged with: semi truck accidents

Runaway Semi Truck Accidents in Tampa

One of the scariest types of semi truck accident is a runaway accident. This occurs when a semi truck driver loses control of the vehicle or the tractor detaches from its trailer and careens out of control—taking out everything in its path. These accidents often have devastating results including property damage and injury or death to the truck driver or other drivers involved in the accident. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Tampa or its surrounding counties, contact a semi truck accident attorney at the Capaz Law Firm. We will aggressively pursue your case.

What Causes Runaway Accidents?

Many things can cause runaway accidents from driver error to equipment malfunction. An experienced truck accident attorney can investigate your case to determine what caused the accident and who can be held liable.

Brake Failure and Equipment Failure

The most common cause of runaway trailer accidents is failure or malfunctioning of the truck’s brakes or other equipment. This can be caused by improper maintenance or could be the result of faulty equipment.

Speeding

Because of their large size, semi trucks are harder to maneuver and take longer to slow down and make complete stops. Truck drivers should take this into consideration, along with other factors such as weather and road conditions, and adjust their speeds accordingly. When drivers travel at unsafe speeds, they may overcompensate with harder breaking which could cause them to lose control or cause the trailer to detach.

Cargo Overload

When trucks are overloaded, this can lead to brake failure or a tire blowout. If the truck driver, the truck company or the inspectors knew about the overload, they could be held liable for the accident.

Sharp Turns

When drivers turn too quickly or too sharply, their trucks can jackknife causing them to lose control of the truck or causing the trailer to detach from the tractor. If driver error is to blame, he or she may be considered at fault for the accident.

Steep Road Declines

When trucks travel downhill they pick up speed and momentum which could cause the driver to lose control. Sometimes this is due to driver error. Other times poor road design may be to blame.

Who is Liable for Your Accident?

An experienced truck accident attorney will thoroughly investigate your case to determine what caused the accident. The at-fault party may include a number of different parties from the truck driver to the truck manufacturer or other parties.

Contact a Tampa Semi Truck Accident Attorney

If you have been the victim of a semi truck runaway accident, contact the Capaz Law Firm now. We understand the complexities of these types of accidents and the devastating injuries they cause. We will fight aggressively to hold the at-fault party accountable for your accident and get you the fair compensation you need to recover.

AREAS OF PRACTICE

Tractor Trailer Accidents

Commercial Truck Accidents

Delivery Truck Accidents

Tow Truck Accidents

Truck Accidents

Automobile Accidents

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Tampa Semi Truck Accident Lawyer

Types of Semi Truck Accidents

Semi truck accidents occur for a variety of reasons and can cause severe injury or death plus thousands of dollars in property damage. In addition to the most common types of auto accidents like rear-end collisions, semi trucks can cause additional types of accidents such as rollovers, jackknifing and under-ride accidents which are particularly devastating. Though there are strict regulations for how semi truck drivers must load, operate and maintain their vehicles, sometimes those regulations are neglected, leading to extreme accidents that harm innocent victims.

Rollover Accidents

Rollovers can happen to any vehicle, but semi trucks are particular susceptible to rollover accidents due to their massive size. Rollovers usually occur when semi truck drivers take sharp turns while speeding or when the semi truck’s center of gravity shifts due to improper loading. A load that is unbalanced, improperly secured or in excess of regulations can cause a weight shift that leads to a rollover accident.

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife accident refers to when the trailer of a semi truck swings out, forming an acute angle with the cab of the semi. This type of accident can be extremely devastating to anyone in the path of the out of control semi. Jackknife accidents can occur for several reasons, including when truck drivers brake too suddenly or turn too quickly, or when brakes are not properly adjusted. In many instances, jackknifes can be avoided when truck drivers practice proper driving techniques and get routine inspection of their vehicles.

Under-Ride Accidents

Another common semi truck accident is an under-ride accident. This occurs when a small vehicle goes underneath a semi truck and gets stuck. This happens because semi trucks are usually significantly higher off the ground than a small vehicle. In some under-ride accidents, the entire top of the small vehicle can get sliced off causing fatal results. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has made steps to help change this, such as requiring semi trucks to have lower rear bumpers, but accidents like this still occur, especially since a lower back bumper will not prevent small vehicles from getting wedged under the side of the semi truck.

Contact a Semi Truck Attorney in Tampa

If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi truck accident, contact the Capaz Law firm. We represent those who have been injured or killed in accidents due to the negligence of others and will fight to get you the compensation you need to recover from your injuries or the loss of your loved one. Call (813) 551-1405 for your free consultation.