Were you hurt in a Florida truck accident? Safety Regulations and Negligence in Truck Accident Cases

The NHTSA or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released some staggering statistics a few years ago according to which a shocking 2,200 truck involved fatalities occurred in the year 2006. As per truck accident lawyers, since 2006, the number of trucks operating on Florida roads has multiplied and the accidents have compounded even more. Most recently in 2012, according to data from the NHTSA, 194 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes in Florida.

Different rules apply

According to Citrus, Florida truck accident lawyers, truck accidents are subjected to an extensive set of rules and regulations and are governed by exclusive trucking laws which are separate from other auto laws. This is why truck accident cases are handled in a much different way from how a car accident case is legally handled.

Truck operators are subjected to both state specific laws and to federal laws that were drafted and enforced by a federal organization known as the Federal Motor Safety Carrier Administration (FMSCA). In addition, you may even qualify for worker’s compensation. Do not assume anything but do not get your hopes up either. Click your mouse right here―this website hits a home run every time. There is factual and salient information on this site that has enabled people to make the right decisions when they needed too.

The reason that there are so many mandates and regulations surrounding trucking operations is fairly obvious. The fact is that trucks are large, heavy vehicles that have the potential to cause catastrophes on a larger scale if not operated as per safety guidelines. Despite the abundance of laws, standard operating procedures and safety guidelines, the number of fatal accidents involving trucks continues to rise every year.  

Florida insurance regulations

There are two organizations that essentially regulate trucking operations in Florida. This includes the D.O.T or the Department of Transportation, a Florida state level department, and the Federal Motor Safety Carrier Administration (FMSCO).

The FMSCA oversees both in-state and inter-state trucking operations. As per insurance mandates, the rules require truck drivers who embark on interstate journeys to be insured for a minimum amount of $750,000 to cover personal injury and property damage expenses. For trucking companies that haul payloads which can be classified as hazardous materials the federal laws require a minimum insurance coverage of at least $5,000,000.

What to do if involved in a truck accident?

If you are the victim of a trucking accident, then the best course of action would be to appoint an experienced Citrus, FL truck accident attorney without any further delay. A legal representative well versed with trucking laws and its complexities will prove invaluable when it comes to gathering evidence and filing the lawsuit and other supporting paperwork.

Filing a lawsuit is stressful. There are no guarantees. But the trucking company is not going to give you enough money to cover your bills, anguish, and enough to replace your car. You will have to dip into your own savings. What if you do not have enough in your savings? Do you want to take a bus to work? You need to file a lawsuit and you need a Citrus, Florida truck accident lawyer to do so. This is where this website comes into the picture: http://accident.usattorneys.com/florida/. You can find the legal assistance you need right there.

Even if you are approached by insurance adjustors representing the trucking company, make sure to consult a Florida truck accident lawyer before making any type of settlement.

For the most part, an adjustor is most likely to offer a settlement much lower than you rightfully deserve. Your truck accident case may be worth a lot more money than you think. Therefore, the first thing you ought to do is speak with a lawyer to estimate what the case may be worth before beginning any negotiations with the adjustors.