Tractor-Trailer Accidents & Wrongful Death In Florida
Tractor-trailer accidents occur on Florida roads with unfortunate regularity, and when these accidents happen, they are disproportionately likely to cause fatalities. If you have lost a loved one in this type of crash, you and your family may feel powerless to react to such a sudden tragedy. However, you may be able to seek damages from the driver or their employer under a legal theory known as wrongful death. The right attorney can help.
Why Are Tractor-Trailers Dangerous?
In general, tractor-trailers are big. Even with no cargo loaded in its trailer, the average tractor-trailer weighs in at somewhere between 15,000 and 40,000 pounds, which far outweighs most private cars at around 4 to 8,000 pounds. This weight mismatch also creates a force mismatch, in the sense that a heavier weight creates more force. What this means is that if a tractor-trailer collides with, say, a sedan, that sedan will take disproportionate amounts of force – and thus, damage – compared to a crash involving two cars.
In addition to weight and physical force generated, stopping distance for these vehicles also must be taken into account. If both vehicles are traveling 65 miles per hour, a passenger car will need roughly 315 feet to stop, while a loaded tractor-trailer will require 525 feet. While not every tractor-trailer on the road is loaded with cargo, the stopping distance will still differ from that required for ordinary cars simply because the trucks are bigger vehicles.
Seeking Damages
Obviously, no amount of monetary damages can bring back your lost loved one, and a jury award will not ease the grief that you and your family are feeling. However, if you suspect that your loved one’s passing was the result of negligence on the part of a tractor-trailer driver (or their employer), it may still be a good idea to seek damages. Florida’s wrongful death act allows surviving family to seek damages, though it does require that the deceased’s personal representative file the lawsuit on their behalf.
Depending on the specific facts of your case, you and any other surviving family members may be able to recover for both economic and non-economic damages – that is, tangible and intangible damages. From funeral expenses to damages for loss of companionship, it may be possible to recover for multiple causes of action as long as the evidence to support it is present. A jury award can at least help your family get back on its financial feet, particularly if the decedent was the primary breadwinner.
Contact A Tampa Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorney
Losing a loved one, particularly if it is suddenly, can be a world-shattering tragedy. If it occurred due to the negligence of another person, it can feel like rubbing salt in the proverbial wound. A Tampa truck accident attorney at Rinaldo Law Group can offer compassionate and experienced representation during what can be a difficult time in your life. Call our office today to schedule a consultation.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0700-0799/0768/Sections/0768.20.html
