Miami Truck Company Liability Lawyer

Semi-truck trailers, flatbeds, dump trucks, and other large trucks pose a very large risk to other road users. Truck drivers have little to no visibility behind or to their sides, heavy trucks are slow to stop and hard to maneuver out of emergency situations, and they pose a great risk during lane changes and merging situations due to their length. And, when crashes do occur, the massive size difference between an 80,000 pound truck and 2,000 pound car means the Miami truck company liability lawyer at Spencer Morgan Law can help you hold the responsible party accountable for your damages.

Top Causes of Truck Crashes

• Distracted Driving—Truckers, particularly those covering long distances, are prone to distracting themselves just like the rest of us. Examples include cell phone use (including texting), watching movies or TV, daydreaming, and eating or drinking.
• Aggressive Driving—Aggressive and impatient driving includes speeding, tailgating, refusing to allow another vehicle to merge onto the highway, cutting other road users off, going through red lights, and changing lanes without yielding the right of way.
• Truck Driver Fatigue—The truck driver either fell asleep at the wheel or was driving in such a fatigued state that they were impaired.
• Drunk or High Driving—Statistically, truck drivers have a high substance abuse rate when they are behind the wheel. While drunk driving is actually fairly low among truck drivers, the use of cocaine, amphetamines, and other stimulants (used to stay awake) is much higher than car drivers.

When The Trucking Company is Liable

Truck drivers are insured by auto policies, just like car drivers. The difference is that their insurance is provided through the company they work for. As such, even if the truck driver is responsible for causing the crash—by falling asleep at the wheel, for example—an injured plaintiff can file a personal injury claim with the trucking company, as the trucking company is the liable party in this scenario. “Independent contractors”  or “owner operator” are terms used to describe independent truck drivers who are not employed by any one company; they carry their own insurance policies, and any victims of their negligence will likely seek damages through this independent contractor.

Minimum Liability Insurance for Trucking Companies in Miami

Minimum commercial trucking insurance policies are required by all trucking companies, including independent contractors, in every state, including Miami. The minimum liability amount varies based on the type of cargo the truck is carrying, as well as where the cargo is being transported to. For example, the minimum liability insurance for a truck carrying Hazmat cargo out of state is significantly larger than the minimum amount needed by a truck carrying household goods within state.

Call a Miami Truck Company Liability Lawyer Today

Trucking companies generally carry very large insurance policies to protect their business assets, and unlike a collision with a private car driver, these large policy limits are likely to be able to cover your full damages if you were severely or catastrophically injured. Call Spencer Morgan Law today at 305-423-3800 to schedule a free consultation with a Miami truck company liability lawyer.