In 2010, there were 235,461 vehicle crashes in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, of which, many involved large trucks.
Truck accidents can be caused by a number of factors. One of the most common causes of truck accidents is an unexpected road hazard. Often, drivers will brake suddenly or make an abrupt maneuver to avoid the hazard. However, these hazards cannot always be avoided, resulting in a truck accident.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a crash that was caused by an unexpected road hazard, you may have grounds for legal action. Contact an experienced Florida truck accident attorney today to explore your legal options.
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Common Road Hazards in Florida
Throughout the state of Florida, we have many hazards on our roadways. These hazards may be caused by the wear and tear of everyday driving and weather conditions, to something such as a traffic signal not working correctly. Whatever the reason may be, it is our duty to remain alert at all times and ready for all types of road hazards.
Some common road hazards in Florida include:
Construction Zones
Construction zones can pose a serious threat to Florida motorists due to their unpredictable road conditions such as narrow lanes, uneven surfaces, shifting lanes and sudden detours. Drivers should always be on the lookout for workers and construction machinery. Following the speed limit and driving cautiously will decrease your odds of being involved in a collision.
Road debris
Another common hazard for drivers is road debris. Road debris can be either on or off the road. If a piece of furniture falls off a truck or bag that was on the side of the road is blown in to traffic, they both can be hazardous to drivers. Foreign road objects can decrease a motorist’s visibility, puncture a vehicle’s tires or get caught up underneath the car. Road debris can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle and result in an accident.
Potholes
Pot holes are circular shaped openings in the road that can be up to ten inches deep; they are caused by wear-and-tear and weathering of the road. These hazards can be difficult to spot when there is low visibility, such as adverse weather conditions and poorly lit roads. A truck’s wheel can become lodged in a large pothole, causing it to swerve or rollover.
If you were injured in accident that was caused by a pothole, you may be able to file a legal claim against the construction company that built the road or the municipality that is responsible for the upkeep.
Malfunctioning Traffic Signals
Florida drivers depend on traffic lights and signals to control the flow of traffic and to warn them of intersections. When these traffic signals malfunction, drivers are put in harm’s way. While drivers are supposed to treat to a traffic signal that is out of service like four-way stop, motorists often disregard this traffic regulation causing a road hazard. If the traffic light is not serviced in a timely manner, it can lead to a truck accident.
In these situations, the driver that failed to treat the intersection like a four-way stop may be held liable for the truck accident.
Common Injuries Caused By Road Hazards
In many cases, when we are not expecting a road hazard is when the most severe accidents will occur. Most of the time, these accidents will result in an injury, especially if individuals are moving at a high speed of travel. Of course, as with any auto accident, speed will typically play a big factor in the severity of the injury.
Some common injuries caused by road hazards include:
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Facial injuries
- Whiplash
- Lacerations
- Loss of limb
- Broken bones
- Broken glass injuries
- Rib and torso injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Whenever an individual is involved in an automobile accident, our attorney’s advice the victim to seek immediate medical attention. Additionally, these medical documents can be used by our attorneys in the court of law to develop a case against a negligent individual who may have caused the accident.
Need Help? Contact our auto accident attorneys
Road hazard accidents are difficult cases to handle due to the number of parties that may be held responsible for the crash. At Gordon & Partners, we urge all accident victims to seek legal counsel after a truck accident. A knowledgeable attorney can review the accident and advise you on the best course of action to pursue.
Our attorneys and staff are equipped to handle all types of truck accident cases. We have obtained favorable verdicts and settlements for thousands of clients throughout South Florida.
A few other locations we serve include:
- West Palm Beach
- North Palm Beach
- Wellington
- Jensen Beach
- Boca Raton
- Boynton Beach
- Lake Worth
- Riviera Beach
To learn more about our law firm and how we can help you win justice in the court of law, or to schedule a free no-obligation case review, we invite you to contact us today at 1 (855) 722-2552. A member of our intake team will then answer your questions and collect information about your accident, then connect you with one of our auto accident attorneys in Palm Beach ready to handle your specific case.
Begin now by filling out the “Free Case Review” form on this page – It’s That Simple!