Rollover crashes involving heavy commercial trucks, such as tractor-trailers, are highly dangerous and often result in severe property damage, life-altering injuries, or death. The size of the vehicles and force of impact can leave those involved with debilitating crush injuries, spinal cord damage, internal bleeding, or brain damage.
Truckers are professional drivers and must make road and highway safety a priority. When wrecks occur because of operator carelessness, those with damages and losses have the right to pursue compensation from the liable party. Contact a qualified truck accident attorney seasoned in Lake County rollover truck accidents for help with your case.
Typical Causes of Rollovers
As with any crashes involving all types of vehicles, rollovers can happen for many reasons. However, some of the most common reasons they happen to trucks include:
- Tire blowouts from defects or lack of maintenance
- Lack of adequate driver training or experience behind the wheel
- Truck operator errors, such as abrupt braking or taking turns too fast
- Defective roadway conditions, such as potholes or construction zones
- Improperly loaded or overweight cargo can shift, leading to rollovers
- Lack of maintenance or defective mechanical parts, such as the steering or braking systems
- Truck operator distractions, such as changing the temperature or radio station or using their smartphone
- Traveling above the posted maximum speed limit or too fast for poor weather and road conditions reduces the semi-truck’s stability and increases the risk of losing control
Truckers and their employers can help reduce rollover truck crashes in Lake County by ensuring compliance with the guidelines of traffic and safety rules and statutes.
Most Crashes are Preventable
Most rollover crashes in Lake County involving commercial vehicles, such as 18-wheelers, are preventable through adequate training, compliance with the regulations, and remaining attentive and alert. When someone’s carelessness causes others harm, civil laws allow the injured parties to pursue payment for their damages and losses. Truckers must undergo extensive training in the classroom and behind the wheel to pass skills tests, receive medical certification, and obtain a CDL before they can operate the massive vehicles legally.
Trucking Companies Must Prioritize Safety
Trucking companies must prioritize safety over delivery deadlines, leading to unrealistic schedules. Failure to do so can lead to drivers and related parties cutting corners, such as improper and overweight cargo loading, leading to avoidable collisions resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.
The Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement
The Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement promotes safety throughout the state by performing inspections to ensure compliance with the regulations. According to the information provided by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, state troopers undergo specialized commercial vehicle training to ensure compliance and enforce:
- Hazardous materials guidelines
- Commercial driver’s license (CDL)
- Compliance with the federal hours of service (HOS) rules
- Commercial vehicle maximum weight guidelines and special permits
- Authenticate appropriate and current heavy commercial vehicle registration
- Verify that truckers use electronic logging devices (ELD) and they are up-to-date
Failure to adhere to federal and state regulations is the primary cause of roadway incidents, including Lake County rollover truck collisions.
Speak With a Lake County Attorney About Your Rollover Truck Accident Case
Rollover 18-wheel crashes are among the most severe and deadly on the roadways and often result from negligence. When collisions occur because of someone else’s recklessness, you can initiate legal action to hold them accountable by collecting the appropriate settlement to cover your damages and losses.
A proficient lawyer experienced with cases resulting from rollover truck accidents in Lake County could provide skilled legal advice and guidance and help you navigate the process. Call today to schedule an appointment and review your case specifics and options.
