A compact SUV traveling eastbound on I-4 near Mango Rd rear-ended a semi-truck Thursday morning, June 6, 2019. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the semi-truck had pulled over earlier because its engine had overheated. When he finished cooling it off, the driver pulled out into the outside lane right in front of the SUV.
The impact caused the driver of the SUV to die at the scene, and the truck driver was not injured. The FHP said that the accident was still under investigation and that it’s too early to tell if any charges will be filed.
Semi-Truck Accidents
Large commercial trucks such as semi-trucks are dangerous to all vehicles around them. Typically, studies have shown that truck drivers have a much lower accident and fatality rate than other drivers. However, even a small mistake in a vehicle that can weigh up to 80,000 lbs fully loaded can cause significant injury and even death.
Fault in a Rear-End Accident
Although we have no idea regarding fault in the above accident, most people have heard that if you hit someone in front of you, it’s your fault. While that’s generally true, there are exceptions. According to Florida personal injury law, for someone to be liable for another’s injuries, they must have been negligent.
In a typical rear-end accident, the driver doesn’t stop in time and hits the car in front of them. However, if a vehicle changed lanes right in front of another car, then that driver was careless by not yielding to the right-of-way to the other driver. In that case, even though a driver rear-ended another vehicle, the fault could be with the vehicle that changed lanes too quickly.
Wrongful Death
When a person is killed in a car accident, the family members can file a claim for wrongful death. The court will look at whether the alleged at-fault driver acted negligently, and if so, then the family members can collect certain damages based on the loss of their family member.
The most common of these damages are:
- Medical bills of the deceased, if related to the accident
- Funeral and Burial Expenses
- Loss of financial support for dependent family members
- Loss of companionship (for children) and consortium (for spouse)
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured or have a loved family member that has been killed by someone else’s negligence, then you should at least talk to an attorney. The insurance company will not tell you the law or give you a heads up of an upcoming deadline. It’s their job to pay out as little money as possible.
The Truck Accident Lawyers at RHINO Lawyers have the experience and knowledge to go up against the insurance companies. Call our personal injury team today for a free consultation. Their personal mission is to empower Florida’s families to “Take Charge!”
