Side-Impact Truck Accidents

Side-impact truck accidents refer to any collision whereby a truck strikes the side of another vehicle, or another vehicle strikes the side of a truck. These types of crashes can lead to significant injuries to those involved, and can often prove deadly. If a truck driver, or another party, has negligently caused a side-impact accident, they should be held liable for the resulting harm. Miami truck accident lawyer Robert Dixon assists victims injured in collisions with trucks file the appropriate claims against those responsible. In these cases, there are often many additional parties involved as compared to cases arising from collisions between passenger-sized vehicles. These additional parties may include a variety of insurance carriers, trucking companies, individuals, and parts or vehicle manufacturers. As a victim, it is important to have your own advocate. The Law Offices of Robert Dixon represents clients across South Florida, including Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. If you’ve been injured or a loved one has died due to a side-impact truck accident, contact our office to set up a free consultation and find out how we can help.

Many side-impact truck accidents happen at intersections, and can occur if a driver fails to yield the right of way for another vehicle, is speeding, or is otherwise acting carelessly. Truck drivers can be overly fatigued or distracted by something inside or outside their vehicles, leading to these types of collisions. Trucks are also more likely to roll over than other vehicles, making these crashes much more dangerous to those involved. This danger is especially prominent in accidents where a truck strikes the side of a passenger vehicle, where there is little protection for drivers or passengers.

When a side-impact accident and the resulting injuries are caused by negligence, those responsible should be held legally accountable. In a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, the burden is on the plaintiff to prove that a defendant, or defendants, have acted negligently. Often in these types of accidents, it is a truck driver who has engaged in negligent conduct. Negligence occurs when the defendant has breached his or her duty to the plaintiff, causing the plaintiff’s injuries and damages. For instance, a truck driver who fails to take proper rest breaks and gets behind the wheel while overly fatigued and therefore lacking in their normal ability to respond to changing conditions, can be found negligent if that fatigue leads to a side-impact accident. A skilled truck accident lawyer can review the facts of your case to determine if the driver’s acts or omissions may have risen to the level of negligence.

The trucking companies who employ negligent drivers can also be held vicariously liable for those acts if a driver was acting within the scope of employment at the time of an accident. Manufacturers who have allowed defective parts or vehicles to enter into the stream of commerce are also strictly liable if that defect causes an accident and injury. For example, if a truck’s brakes are faulty, making it so that a truck driver cannot stop in time to avoid a collision, the brake manufacturer can be held accountable. Because of the serious injuries that tend to result from a side-impact truck collision, victims often need financial support above and beyond what insurance benefits cover. Once negligence is shown, these victims may be awarded damages for outstanding and anticipated medical expenses, lost income, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Relatives of victims lost in a fatal accident can also receive compensation for costs related to burial or funeral arrangements, as well as loss of support.

Injuries that result from side-impact truck accidents can range from broken bones and bruises to significant brain injuries or paralysis. Truck accident attorney Robert Dixon is dedicated to helping clients with their legal issues, ensuring their rights are preserved as well as zealously advocated for, so that they can fully focus on their recovery. If you have suffered an injury or a loved one has died as a result of a collision with a truck, contact the Law Offices of Robert Dixon by phone at (877) 499-4878 or contact us online to set up a free, no obligation consultation. We represent clients in areas including Miami, and West Palm Beach.