Fort Lauderdale’s Top Truck Accident Attorney.

You need an experienced Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer on your side, and you can contact David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer P.A. for help.

Attorney Fuchs has decades of personal injury experience, and he can determine the cause of the crash and protect your rights throughout all stages of your case.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We will work hard to hold the appropriate parties accountable for your injuries and losses and help you get the money you need to move forward with life.

Why Choose Our Firm?

When trying to recover compensation for your injuries and losses following a truck accident in Ft. Lauderdale, you want to choose the right attorney for your case. Attorney Fuchs has more than 30 years of experience handling truck accident claims in Florida, and he delivers personalized attention and aggressive advocacy to improve your odds of getting the successful outcomes you expect and deserve.

Speaking of results, we have obtained substantial verdicts and settlements for our injured clients, including numerous six-figure awards for clients injured in trucking accidents. Although we can’t guarantee how much money you’ll receive, we can promise to do all we can to maximize your financial recovery so you can realize the fullest physical recovery possible.

For a thorough review of your case from a highly experienced and zealous legal advocate who has your best interests at heart, contact David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer P.A. today for a free consultation.

$1.8 million for the victim of a traumatic brain injury.

$325,000 for a client hurt in a multi-vehicle accident.

$250,000 in a car accident case.

$225,000 for the family of a victim in a wrongful death lawsuit.

$120,000 in a Broward County car wreck case.

Is this an emergency? Call 954-568-3636

Truck Accident Laws & Regulations

Commercial vehicles are heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This federal agency creates and enforces trucking regulations. When you are hit or rear-ended by a semi-truck, attorney David Fuchs will gather as much evidence as possible to determine what happened and why.

He will scrutinize the cause of the accident to determine if one or more trucking laws have been violated. Evidence of a regulatory violation may be useful in proving the other party was negligent and is liable for your injuries.

There are many trucking regulations companies and truckers must follow, including:

• Hours of service regulations, which define how long a trucker can drive within a certain period.
• Intoxication regulations, which place the legal limit for a trucker’s blood-alcohol level at .04 percent – not the typical .08 percent.
• Load regulations, including the maximum size and weight of the vehicle with the cargo.
• Inspection regulations, including when and how often a truck driver must inspect the vehicle.
• Hiring regulations dictate that trucking companies cannot hire drivers with histories of DUIs, poor driving records, or other issues that make them unable to drive safely.
• Licensing regulations require that truck drivers have a valid commercial driver’s license and any additional endorsements necessary for specific types of trucks or cargo.

If a trucking company violates laws and requirements and their truck causes an accident that injures you or claims the life of a close family member, you should hold them accountable with the help of a Ft. Lauderdale trucking accident attorney.

What is Considered a ‘Commercial Vehicle’ in Florida?

Commercial vehicles are generally defined as being used for business as opposed to private purposes. Florida Statute 320.01 (25), however, specifically defines a commercial vehicle as:

• Not being owned or operated by a government entity
• A vehicle that uses special fuel on public highways
• Has a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more
• Has three or more axles, regardless of weight
• When used in combination has a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more

This definition focuses almost exclusively on size and weight. The definition of a commercial vehicle listed in the Broward County Code is perhaps more helpful. It defines a commercial vehicle as “any vehicle designed, intended, or used for transportation of people, goods, or things, other than private passenger vehicles and recreational vehicles.”

Types of Commercial Vehicles Often Involved in Crashes

State includes several examples of commercial vehicles:

• Semi-trucks
• Delivery trucks
• Buses and vehicles designed to carry 10 or more people
• Dump trucks
• Tow trucks
• Utility vehicles
• Any vehicle with a business name displayed on it

Any of these commercial vehicles could become involved in a sudden crash, and our Fort Lauderdale team is here to help in the event of an accident.

Common Causes of Trucking Accidents

Most truck drivers are professionals who strive for safety, but many of them, especially long-distance truckers, often work long hours and are under enormous pressure from trucking companies to stay on schedule. This constant pressure can lead to stress, fatigue, and, ultimately, driving errors. Truck driver inexperience can also lead to judgment errors, as can improper training of drivers. All of these actions can, unfortunately, lead to devastating wrecks.

Intoxicated Driving

Alcohol and/or drug use by truck drivers or drivers of other vehicles can lead to crashes. Unlike the .08% alcohol limit for most drivers, the blood alcohol limit (BAC) for truckers is .04%.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a deadly and prevalent driver habit. Despite being responsible for heavy and dangerous commercial vehicles, many truck drivers are guilty of distracted driving. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) claims distracted driving caused accidents that took the lives of 3,450 people in a recent year.

Distracted driving can describe eating, drinking, texting, making phone calls, chatting with passengers, personal grooming, looking at a map, or engaging in any other activity that distracts a driver’s attention from the road. Avoid distracted driving accidents by always paying attention to the road, and steering clear of truckers who appear distracted.

Speeding and Aggressive Driving

Due to their sheer size and weight, large trucks require a longer stopping distance than passenger vehicles. A tractor-trailer going 65 mph will require a much longer distance to stop when compared to the average passenger vehicle. This often leads to rear-end collisions because a semi-truck cannot stop in time to avoid an accident.

Unsecured or Overloaded Cargo

Loading trucks in an unsafe manner can lead to the vehicles becoming unbalanced and cause tip-overs, rollovers, and other accidents. Open flat-bed trucks carrying cargo such as logs can be extremely dangerous for passenger vehicles. Cargo can fall from the trailer and land on a vehicle, crushing the occupants inside. Falling cargo can also create havoc on the road as cars swerve to avoid the debris. This can lead to serious accidents in which the truck is not directly involved, but parties such as the truck driver and cargo loaders could be held accountable.

Turning Truck Accidents

Large trucks and trailers can’t make sharp turns. Instead, they must bow outward, making a wide turn. A turning accident can occur if a passenger vehicle tries to pass a turning truck, or ends up trapped between the turning truck and the curb (in the driver’s No Zone).

Parts Defects and Equipment Malfunctions

Big rigs rely on many different components, parts, and pieces of equipment to function safely and properly. The breakdown of just one piece of equipment could cause a fatal trucking accident. Tire blowouts, brake failure, rollovers, and lost loads are all common truck accident types that can stem from equipment failures or defects.

Although you may not have any power over how well a trucking company maintains its fleet of vehicles, you can avoid these accidents by keeping your distance. Always keep enough room between yourself and a commercial truck to brake or maneuver away in the event of an equipment malfunction. The trucking company or part manufacturer may be liable for these types of accidents.

Violating Trucking Regulations

As mentioned previously, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has trucking regulations in place to make the industry safer. When these regulations are violated, either by trucking companies or drivers, accidents can happen.

Road Construction or Poorly-Designed Roads

Sometimes, road construction and other road conditions cause dangers for trucks. Bad weather can also be a factor. If a truck driver is driving too fast for weather conditions, your attorney could use that to establish liability. Likewise, if a poorly maintained road caused the truck accident, you could have a claim against the local or state government responsible for road maintenance.

Other Motorists

The dangerous actions of other drivers may cause large trucks to crash and potentially harm innocent drivers on the road. For example, a vehicle might cut a truck off, and because large trucks can’t maneuver quickly, the truck might swerve to avoid crashing with that vehicle and hit other vehicles on the road.

Fort Lauderdale Lawyer David Fuchs can assess the cause of any truck accident to prove who is responsible and help hold this party accountable through a civil claim.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

Trucks can get into many of the same types of accidents as passenger vehicles, such as head-on collisions and T-bone accidents. However, trucks can also cause accidents that are unique based on the size and design of the truck itself. These types of accidents include:

• Jackknife Accidents: This occurs when the trailer of a truck swings outward, forming an angle with the cab. It can happen when the driver loses control and the trailer swings to the side.
• Rollover Accidents: Trucks can roll over onto their side due to factors like high speeds, abrupt steering maneuvers, uneven road surfaces, and shifting cargo.
• Underride Accidents: An underride accident occurs when a smaller vehicle slides under the trailer of a truck. This type of accident is particularly dangerous and can result in severe injuries or fatalities for the occupants of the smaller vehicle.
• Override Accidents: In contrast to underride accidents, an override accident happens when a truck runs over a smaller vehicle. This can occur if the truck fails to stop in time or misjudges the distance.
• Blind Spot Accidents: Trucks have large blind spots where smaller vehicles may not be visible to the truck driver. Accidents can occur when a vehicle is in the blind spot, and the truck changes lanes or makes a turn.

Understanding these common types of truck accidents is crucial for promoting road safety and developing strategies to prevent such incidents. If you’re involved in a truck accident, seeking legal advice promptly is important to protect your rights and pursue compensation for any injuries or damages. Attorney David Fuchs has handled a wide range of truck-related cases, so contact us today for a free consultation on how we can help you hold a negligent truck driver or trucking company accountable so you can get the money you need.

Who Can I Hold Liable for a Truck Accident in Ft. Lauderdale?

Determining liability in a truck accident in Ft. Lauderdale involves assessing various factors, and multiple parties may share responsibility. Potential parties that could be held liable for a truck accident include:

• Truck Driver: The truck driver may be held liable if their negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, or impaired driving, contributed to the accident.
• Trucking Company: The company that owns or operates the truck may be held responsible for the actions of its employees. This can include inadequate training, negligent hiring, or failure to maintain the trucks properly.
• Truck Owner: If the truck is owned separately from the company operating it, the owner may bear responsibility for maintenance issues or other factors contributing to the accident.
• Maintenance and Repair Contractors: Entities responsible for maintaining or repairing the truck may be held liable if their negligence in servicing the vehicle leads to a mechanical failure causing the accident.
• Truck Manufacturer: If a defect in the truck’s design or manufacturing contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be held liable for product liability.
• Cargo Loading Companies: If the accident resulted from improperly loaded or secured cargo, the company responsible for loading the cargo may share liability.
• Third-Party Contractors: If a third-party contractor, such as a maintenance or logistics company, played a role in the accident, they may be held liable for their contribution.
• Government Entities: In some cases, government entities may be held responsible for accidents caused by poorly maintained roads, inadequate signage, or other infrastructure issues.

Determining liability is a complex process that requires a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the accident. Evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, truck maintenance records, and electronic logging device (ELD) data can be critical in establishing who is at fault.

Truck Employer Negligence

With many truck accidents, fault and liability lie with the driver’s employer – the trucking company. Trucking companies have significant resources to spend on combating lawsuits and insurance claims. Don’t let them step on your rights in the name of profitability.

The trucking company is ultimately responsible for the safety of other drivers on Florida’s roadways. Many trucking accidents in Florida come down to acts of truck employer negligence, such as:

• Failing to conduct background checks before hiring drivers
• Hiring unfit, unsafe, or unqualified drivers
• Ignoring driver drug and alcohol testing requirements
• Maintaining inadequate new driver training procedures
• Pressuring drivers to meet deadlines, even if it means driving past hours-of-service regulations
• Offering bonuses to drivers who beat their deadlines
• Failing to properly maintain fleet trucks
• Disobeying truck inspection requirements
• Breaking cargo securement rules to save time or money

A truck employer will also be vicariously liable for the actions and behaviors of its truck drivers in many situations. Our dedicated Fort Lauderdale attorneys could help prove vicarious liability and keep a commercial vehicle accident claim on track.

Calculating Compensation for a Truck Accident in Fort Lauderdale

When you are injured in a trucking accident in Fort Lauderdale, an attorney from David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A. can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Depending on the circumstances, attorney Fuchs may pursue a claim with the truck driver or trucking company’s insurer and/or a lawsuit directly against the liable party.

Through this claim or lawsuit, you can seek compensation for your:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Reduced earning potential

If you were hit by a semi-truck, a settlement might be your best option. By working with an experienced attorney who will negotiate your settlement, you can have the funds you need to move forward in life months before a lawsuit would be resolved.

Before you rely on a truck accident settlement calculator available online, work with David Fuchs. It is impossible for anyone to give you a potential value for your claim without going through an in-depth investigation of your case.

Too many factors can influence your potential recovery. By hiring a Fort Lauderdale lawyer, you ensure you receive accurate information and experienced insights each step of truck accident claims process. Attorney Fuchs will work closely with you, your medical providers, and various experts to increase the value of your case, and to determine the best and worst-case scenarios for a settlement or jury award.

How Much Time Do I Have to File a Claim After a Truck Accident in Ft. Lauderdale?

In Florida, injured individuals have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit or settle their claim for injury. If they fail to file or settle within that timeframe, they may forever lose their rights to seek compensation for their injuries and other damages. That said, just about any personal injury lawyer will tell you that it is best to file a claim as soon as possible after an accident to ensure your rights are preserved.

What Should I Do After a Truck Accident in Fort Lauderdale?

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Fort Lauderdale, taking certain steps immediately after the incident is crucial for your safety, well-being, and potential legal claims. Here’s a guide on what to do after a truck accident:

Our Ft. Lauderdale Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help

After a serious trucking accident in Florida that leaves you injured or mourning the loss of a loved one, call attorney David Fuchs as soon as possible. By hiring a semi-truck accident lawyer right away, you have someone to guide you in obtaining appropriate medical care and preserving your rights for a truck accident claim. An attorney from our law firm will gather evidence to support your claim for compensation and will fight hard to obtain you the financial recovery you deserve.

To talk with a Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorney, contact David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A. online to schedule a consultation.

If you cannot come to the Fort Lauderdale office, accident attorney David I. Fuchs will send a representative to see you. His staff speaks English and Spanish.