Most motorists are wary of tractor-trailers, and they allow a wide berth from these vehicles to prevent accidents. Concrete trucks are hazardous on roads due to their large size and spinning barrels full of cement mixture. Their immense weight, coupled with the barrel’s rotating motion, makes concrete trucks unstable and, therefore, prone to rollover crashes.
If you are involved in such an accident, a Palm Coast concrete truck accident lawyer from our firm can handle your case while you concentrate on recovery.
How Our Palm Coast Concrete Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
Crashes involving large vehicles, like concrete trucks, can be devastating. Victims in smaller cars can suffer life-threatening injuries, so larger vehicles only compound these risks.
The aftermath of concrete truck collisions can leave you distressed and not knowing what to do. A Palm Coast concrete truck accident lawyer from our firm can:
- Act as a shoulder to lean on as you receive treatment
- Identify the possible defendants for your case, like the driver, trucking company, or vehicle manufacturers
- During all stages, give you professional advice, including the preliminary stage, depositions, arbitrations, etc.
- Prevent you from making big mistakes, like accepting fault or lowball offers
- Work on a contingency basis, hence eliminating the hurdle of retaining an attorney
Negligence Can Factor Into Concrete Truck Accidents in Palm Coast
Concrete trucks usually transport building materials like cement, aggregate, asphalt, and concrete to construction sites across Florida. Truck driver negligence may play a role in an accident. Other times, a trucking company or manufacturer may be responsible for an accident.
Speeding
Truck drivers have deadlines to meet, and they often rush to deliver concrete before it hardens, as this would render it unusable. This practice fosters reckless behavior on the road, such as driving above speed limits, which can cause accidents or reduce their reaction time in the face of a crash.
Poorly-Managed Construction Sites
The point where regular traffic intersects with a construction area must be adequately supervised to avoid collisions. Budgetary constraints and other factors can make constant supervision difficult, thus paving the way for crashes that didn’t need to happen.
Imbalanced Loads
Poor cement loading can make the vehicle unstable as it navigates different terrains, like uphill, downhill, and on winding roads. More so, a driver may swerve to avoid crashing into another vehicle, and shifting cargo can make the truck overturn.
Distracted Driving
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 2,800 people die, and 400,000 others suffer injuries in accidents resulting from distracted driving every year. Seemingly innocuous things like twiddling with the controls can make the driver go off their lane and ram into oncoming traffic. Other distractions include multitasking, adjusting mirrors, eating, chatting with passengers, and using cell phones.
Poor Weather Conditions
The year started with reports of a blizzard traveling across the eastern part of the U.S., and Florida is no exception. Heavy snow and reduced visibility make it challenging to drive heavy vehicles like a concrete truck. Other dangerous weather conditions include sleet, mist, rain, ice, dust, and fog.
Unfamiliar Driving Route
Many truck drivers are familiar with their driving routes, having been on the same job for many years. Nevertheless, new hires come along due to staff attrition or other reasons. The learning curve for new drivers is challenging, making such drivers more susceptible to accidents.
Injuries You Can Get Following a Truck Accident
Accidents involving concrete trucks have catastrophic outcomes for the victims. Typical injuries emanating from truck accidents include:
- Whiplash
- Internal bleeding
- Fractured bones
- Spinal injuries
- Dental fractures
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Concussion
Various Forms of Evidence Can Support Your Case
Your lawyer will investigate and gather all evidence about the accident. Our investigation may reveal the following:
- Skid Marks: Skidding results from the friction between brakes and the road surface. The length of skid marks can help calculate the vehicle’s minimum speed by measuring when the skidding starts.
- Vehicle Damage: Car manufacturers take pride in advertising how safe their vehicle parts are in the event of a collision. If the side panel of your vehicle was damaged in the crash, your lawyer could check the manufacturer’s rating to compute the force of impact then convert this to vehicle speed.
- Other Damages: The extent of damage to guardrails, trees, road signage, and other structures can be indicative of the speed of the truck during the crash. Additionally, paint transfer will determine which vehicle came into contact with the object in question.
- Debris Pattern: Crashes with concrete trucks will send debris in the form of building material sprawling across the road. Parts of damaged vehicles will also be strewn all over the accident scene. Investigators know how to study the pattern of debris to understand vehicle movement during the crash.
Work With Our Concrete Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Were you hurt in a collision involving a concrete truck? Consult a truck accident lawyer to discuss your legal options. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine handles such cases and helps victims like you.
If negotiations don’t yield the desired outcome, we are ready to defend your rights before a judge. You will receive responsive legal counsel, and we will work to answer all your pressing queries and concerns. We strive to get you the settlement you deserve as you focus on healing. Contact us today at 1-800-747-3733 for a free case review and legal counsel.