Types Of Truck Accidents We Handle 

Large Trucks: This category includes a broad range of heavy-duty trucks, such as semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and eighteen-wheelers. These trucks are often involved in accidents due to their size, blind spots, and longer stopping distances.

Dump Trucks: These specialized vehicles designed for transporting loose materials pose unique dangers on Florida roads. Accidents involving dump trucks can be attributed to factors like overloaded cargo, driver fatigue, or mechanical failures.

Delivery Trucks: This type of truck is commonly seen in urban areas, delivering goods to businesses and homes. Accidents involving delivery trucks can frequently occur due to driver distractions, tight schedules, or reckless maneuvers while navigating through congested streets.

Flatbed Trucks: Equipped with an open cargo area, flatbed trucks are involved in accidents primarily due to improperly secured loads leading to cargo spilling onto the road, rear-end collisions, or lane changes gone wrong.

Tanker Trucks: Tanker trucks transport hazardous or liquid materials, which can increase the severity of accidents. Rollovers, skidding, and sudden stops are potential causes of tanker truck accidents.

Bobtail Trucks: Also called "deadheading" trucks, bobtail trucks have no trailer attached and are often involved in accidents due to unbalanced weight distribution, sudden maneuvers, or inadequate braking.

According to data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FDHSMV), Miami-Dade County, which includes Miami, consistently has one of the highest rates of truck-involved accidents in the state. In 2018, there were a reported 4,380 commercial vehicle related crashes in Miami-Dade County (FDHSMV, 2018).

The data also reveals a worrying trend of increasing truck accidents over the years. Notably, between 2014 and 2018 the number of these incidents has risen by more than 12% in Miami-Dade County (FDHSMV, 2018). This points to a pressing need to address the problem through comprehensive safety measures.

Additionally, the high number of truck accidents in Miami-Dade County stands out even more when compared to other metropolitan areas in Florida. For instance, the number of commercial vehicle-related crashes was significantly lower in Broward County, with 3,528 accidents and Palm Beach County with 2,286 accidents for the same year (FDHSMV, 2018).

The severity of these accidents also cannot be understated. According to a national study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, approximately 74% of all fatal truck accidents result in at least one major injury (FMCSA, 2018). Given the high frequency of truck-involved accidents in Miami, it is likely that many of these incidents result in serious injuries or fatalities.

Neurological Injuries: These injuries involve serious damage to the nervous system. One manifestation is paralysis or amputation, typically resulting from severe damage to the spinal cord or limbs leading to the loss of function or necessitating the removal of body parts. Traumatic brain injuries are also common, which are caused by a violent blow or jolt to the head that can affect cognition, memory, mood, and behavior. Furthermore, spinal cord injuries may take place, which occur when a fracture or dislocation of the vertebrae compresses or tears the spinal cord, affecting nerve signals and motor functions.

Surface and Subdermal Injuries: These injuries involve the skin and surrounding tissues. They could present as cuts, bruises, and lacerations caused by sharp or blunt force trauma to the body, leading to bleeding, pain, and possible infection. Burns are another type, caused by exposure to fire, chemicals, or electricity, damaging the skin and underlying tissues, and may necessitate treatments like skin grafts or debridement.

Skeletal Injuries: Broken bones constitute this type of injury, resulting from excessive force or pressure applied to the bone, causing it to crack or shatter. Such injuries often necessitate surgery or immobilization for effective treatment.

Muscular Injuries: These include back and neck injuries that occur due to strain or sprain to the muscles, ligaments, tendons, or discs, causing pain, stiffness, and inflammation. In addition to this category is whiplash, which results from a forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, resulting in neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and a reduced range of motion.

Disfigurement Injuries: Severe injuries can result in amputation and disfigurement if truck accidents cause injury or infection that requires the surgical removal of a body part or alters the appearance of a body part.

Internal Injuries: This type of injury is a significant concern as it involves damage to the inner organs, blood vessels, or nerves, leading to bleeding, shock, organ failure, or even death. Such injuries are life-threatening and need immediate medical intervention.

I-95:

Running along Florida's east coast, I-95 connects major cities such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Daytona Beach, and Jacksonville. This heavily trafficked interstate highway is notorious for congestion, construction, and a high frequency of accidents. In 2017 alone, there were 5,067 reported truck accidents on I-95 in Florida.

I-75:

Traversing the central and western parts of Florida, I-75 links cities such as Naples, Fort Myers, Tampa, Ocala, and Gainesville. Serving as a primary route for commercial trucks transporting goods within the state and across the country, I-75 witnesses significant truck traffic. In 2017, there were 4,341 truck accidents reported on this highway in Florida.

I-4:

Cutting through the central part of Florida, I-4 connects Tampa, Orlando, and Daytona Beach. Known for its heavy traffic, regular construction activities, and a higher-than-average crash rate, I-4 poses risks for both truck drivers and motorists. In 2017, a total of 2,268 truck accidents took place on I-4 in Florida.

I-10:

Running across the northern region of Florida, I-10 connects cities like Pensacola, Tallahassee, Lake City, and Jacksonville. This interstate serves as a major corridor for trucks traveling between the Gulf Coast and the Atlantic Coast. In 2017, I-10 recorded 1,894 truck accidents in Florida.

US-1:

Running parallel to I-95 for most of its length along the east coast, US-1 passes through several coastal towns and tourist attractions. This highway often experiences congestion due to local and seasonal traffic. In 2017, US-1 recorded 1,571 truck accidents in Florida.