Dangers of Semi-Trucks and Rear End Accidents
What Causes Semi-Truck Accidents?
Driver fatigue is one of the top causes of semi-truck accidents. Once a driver has reached the driving limit of 11 hours out on the road, they are required to be off duty for 10 consecutive hours (or equivalent) before driving the truck again. Truck drivers are required to log their hours. However, drivers may log their information incorrectly. Other causes of accidents include speeding, improperly-maintained trucks, aggressive driving and reckless driving.
Why are Semi-Truck Accidents Dangerous?
If a semi-truck collides with a smaller vehicle, then the results can be catastrophic. The size of these trucks is one of the reasons that it is so dangerous to get in an accident with one. The average semi-truck weighs 80,000 pounds, whereas passenger vehicles typically weigh around 3,000 pounds.
In many cases, the driver of the truck is not injured at all. Truck drivers are more protected because they are much higher off the ground. By contrast, people in cars often sustain serious injuries when they collide with a truck.
Head injuries, back injuries, amputations, burns, broken bones and lacerations are some of the most common semi-truck accident injuries. People may also be injured by the airbag or seatbelt. Even though these devices are designed to save lives, they can cause a serious injury. For example, the airbag can strip the skin from the driver or passenger. Additionally, seatbelts can injure the user’s abdomen and chest.
It is important to get a medical evaluation if you have been involved in a semi-truck accident. If you do not receive a medical evaluation, then serious injuries may go unchecked.
The Importance of Contacting Personal Injury Lawyers in Tampa FL
If you have been hurt in a semi-truck accident, then you may be entitled to compensation. Accident lawyers in Tampa FL can help you get compensated for future and current medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering and disfigurement. If your loved one has been involved in a fatal accident, then you may be able to get compensation for their death. Contact Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore today!
Construction work is one of the most dangerous jobs in America. The four deadliest construction site accidents are called the “Fatal Four.” Out of 991 construction-related fatalities in 2016, most were caused by the fatal four. If you have been hurt on a construction site, you want to be represented by personal injury lawyers in Tampa Florida that has years of experience in this area of the law.
The Fatal Four
- Falls from High Places
Falls are the leading cause of construction site accidents. Every year, more than 100,000 construction workers are injured or killed because of falls. Even when death is not the result, the injuries are often life-threatening. Employers should have guard rails and toe-boards around elevated areas and dangerous equipment and machines. If you were injured on a construction site that did not follow safety measures, accident lawyers in Tampa FL can help. - Struck-By-Objects
Objects that fall from above, are thrown, that swing, or that roll can kill or injure workers. Incidents involving objects happen fast and there is no time to react. Safety glasses, goggles, and face shields can provide protection when caught off-guard. And hard hats should be worn at all times on the construction site. - Electrocuted Workers
Electrical mishaps annually cause more than 200 deaths and more than 3,000 injuries on U.S. construction sites. One way to combat this hazard is to provide safety training for employees. Workers should also understand the importance of wearing safety equipment at all times. - Caught In-Between Objects
Getting caught in-between objects is the fourth leading cause of construction site deaths and injuries. This type of accident is when a worker is squeezed or crushed between equipment. Unguarded machinery, rolling equipment, and collapsing materials are often the cause. Workers should stay clear of unguarded machinery and avoid walking underneath suspended loads or equipment.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
Have you been injured on a construction site? Did one of the fatal four affect a loved one? Accident lawyers in Tampa FL can represent you. If your claim against the construction company is valid, an attorney can negotiate on your behalf with insurance companies. An experienced lawyer will know how to handle the complicated claims process.
The majority of rear-end accidents are minor fender benders. These accidents often happen at low speeds in places like parking lots. In a minor accident, nobody is injured and there is only limited damage to the vehicles involved. However, as experienced accident lawyers in Tampa FL will tell you, not all accidents involving a read-end collision are fender benders. Some are far more serious.
Rear-End Accidents Can Result in Serious Damage to Vehicles and Personal Injuries
A rear-end collision is a type of traffic accident that happens when one vehicle hits the back of another one. There are many cases when a rear-end accident involves a driver hitting the back of another vehicle at near full speed. These accidents can have numerous causes, such as driver distraction, fatigue, mechanical failure or impaired driving.
If a rear-end accident happens at a high speed, significant damage to the vehicle being hit can result. The occupants of the vehicle, particularly those in the back seats, also risk potentially serious injuries. This is especially the case if a car gets rear-ended by a larger and heavier vehicle, such as a truck or commercial delivery van.
What to Do If You’re Involved in This Type of Accident
If you have been injured as a result of a rear-end accident, it is important that you consult a Tampa personal injury law firm right away. Under Florida law, you only have a limited amount of time to take legal action against a driver that has caused you to suffer a loss as a result of a traffic accident.
Specialized accident lawyers in Tampa FL can help by offering you a free consultation during which your case will be evaluated. They can give you advice on whether you will be able to obtain compensation for your injuries and material damage. If another driver has rear-ended you, they may be responsible for covering the costs of your medical bills, time off work and damage to your vehicle.
A knowledgeable Tampa personal injury law firm will be able to negotiate a fair settlement for you or take the case to trial if necessary. Having an experienced lawyer at your side is a great way of ensuring that your legal rights will be respected.
Dangers of Airboats
Many people use airboats to travel through the Florida Everglades. It can be fun to travel on an airboat, but it can also be dangerous. The open nature and speed of the boats can put one at risk for suffering a serious injury. There are few airboat accidents in Florida each year. However, safety is always a concern for people who travel in airboats. If you are in an accident, you should call a Florida boating accident attorney right away.
Airboats are not required to have seat belts, air bags or windshields. They also do not have brakes and can be operated at high speeds. In 2017, an airboat accident claimed the life of a 22-year-old woman who had just graduated from the University of Miami the day before. She died after being ejected from the airboat when it crashed. The woman’s 20-year-old sister sustained minor injuries in the accident.
Airboat Safety Tips
Airboats can be difficult to control because they go so fast. However, there are some things that you can do to minimize the possibility of suffering an injury.
- Do not travel in a boat that appears not well-maintained. An accident is much more likely to happen if the boat is not in good condition.
- Make sure that you wear a life vest. Even if the water is shallow, you still need a vest.
- Stay away from overhanging branches. They can get caught in the propeller and cause serious damage.
Contact a Florida Boating Accident Attorney
Even if you take all of the necessary precautions, you can still be involved in a boating accident. That is why if you or your loved ones have suffered injuries in an accident, then you need the help of the Tampa Personal Injury Lawyers. An attorney can help you hold the negligent party responsible for the injuries that you have suffered.
If your boating trip takes a turn for the worst, an experienced Florida boat accident attorney can help you get compensated for your injuries. Call today for a free consultation.
