West Palm Beach Truck Accident Lawyers

Accidents happen when truck drivers and trucking companies violate the law and rules of the road, and innocent people get hurt.  

In 2022, 3,074 commercial motor vehicle accidents occurred in Palm Beach County alone, killing 14 people and injuring 730. In the same year, 9,243 commercial motor vehicle crashes occurred throughout the state, injuring 3,535 people and killing 232.  

The most common causes of truck accidents include the following: 

• Driver fatigue – Truck drivers work long hours that often exceed federal regulations, which limit driving time to 11 hours per shift. 
• Improper loads – An uneven load or a load that exceeds legal weight limits can lead to rollover accidents, tire blowouts, and increased difficulty controlling the truck. 
• Inadequate maintenance – When trucking companies fail to enforce federally mandated post-trip inspection requirements or shirk their duty to perform annual inspections, they could leave unsafe vehicles on the road to endanger all drivers. 
• Distracted driving – Truck drivers are as prone to distracted driving as any other driver, but this is even more dangerous because even a rear-ending that may have been minor between two vehicles can be catastrophic when a truck is involved. 
• Speeding – Trucking companies often pressure drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, encouraging them to speed. Speeding increases both the likelihood of an accident and the impact. 
• Inexperienced drivers – Truck drivers without adequate training and experience are more prone to panicking in emergencies or responding inappropriately, endangering all drivers and themselves. 
• Drunk driving – Drunk truck drivers are especially dangerous because driving a truck requires more skill and alertness than other motor vehicles. 
• Disqualified drivers – Disqualified drivers are more likely than other drivers to drink and drive or engage in other risky behaviors that endanger those sharing the road with semi-trucks.