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Driver Dies After Tractor-Trailer U-Turn

TractorTrailer

In August 2022, a Hernando County man was killed in an accident with a tractor-trailer after it tried to make a U-turn on SR-50, near Hale Road in Brooksville. The tractor-trailer driver attempted to make the U-turn at a point where neither he nor the man, who was driving a sedan, properly saw each other. The car struck the trailer, killing its driver, who was pronounced deceased at the scene. As of this writing, the family of the deceased person has not made any move to file suit against the driver of the tractor-trailer – but they might conceivably have a case.

A Duty Of Care Toward Other Motorists

Tractor-trailers are fairly ubiquitous on Florida roads, and their drivers have a duty to exercise the same level of care as any other road user. However, it can be argued that a tractor-trailer driver should exercise an even greater level of care, simply because of the size and weight of their vehicle. Accidents involving a passenger vehicle and a tractor-trailer that result in injury inevitably end up with the occupants of the automobile coming off far worse for wear.

In addition to the sheer size and weight of tractor-trailers, some truck drivers simply do not appreciate the characteristics of their vehicles, choosing to drive too fast, drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or drive drowsy (which will often be in violation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association’s rules on hours of service). Not every accident involving a tractor-trailer is a result of someone’s negligent or reckless behavior, but it is not unheard of for a truck driver to cut corners in order to make quicker deliveries (and thus, more money).

Seeking Compensation

If you have been involved in an accident involving a tractor-trailer, it is crucial that you seek medical treatment as quickly as possible, both to ensure that your injuries are taken care of and to ensure they are properly documented if you decide to file suit against the person who allegedly caused you harm. Once you are on the road to physical recovery, then you can deliberate over the question of how best to hold the allegedly-negligent driver accountable – and it may feel overwhelming, but in general, it is a good decision. You have the right to seek redress for what you have been through.

Keep in mind that if you can show that the tractor-trailer driver was responsible for the accident, you may be able to hold their employer liable as well. Florida honors a legal concept called vicarious liability, in which an employer may be held liable for the intentional torts (non-criminal, negligent offenses) of their employees if the employee is acting within the course of their employment at the time. In the case of the Brooksville accident, the tractor-trailer’s employer could conceivably be held liable for their employee’s negligence, because it can be shown that the driver’s actions were the direct cause of the accident.

Contact A Tampa Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorney

Unfortunately, it is all too common that accidents like the Brooksville crash result in fatalities to automobile drivers and pedestrians, but if you have lived through an accident with a tractor-trailer, your injuries will likely still be severe. A Tampa truck accident attorney from the Rinaldo Law Group can help to answer any questions you may have about seeking money damages for the harm you have suffered. Contact our office today at (813) 831-9999 for a free consultation.

Source:

msn.com/en-us/news/us/driver-killed-after-tractor-trailer-makes-u-turn-in-his-path/ar-AA115oyh

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