In Florida and all across the country, motorists must share the road with tractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles. While these vehicles are a major component in delivering much-needed goods to consumers and manufacturers, commercial trucks are also responsible for a number of serious vehicle accidents each year. The large size and weight of semis means they cannot be stopped as quickly as other vehicles, and this point was made all too evident in a recent crash involving a truck-tractor and several other vehicles.
Accident details
Around 10:30 a.m. on May 12, a 56-year-old man from Cape Coral was driving a commercial truck along SR-31 near North Fort Myers. It is unclear from the report whether traffic ahead of the truck had slowed or completely stopped, but the truck driver was not able to stop in time to avoid colliding with a vehicle in front of him. He admitted to dropping paperwork on the floor of the truck cab, which he claims was the reason he was not able to stop in time.
The truck struck an SUV, critically injuring the 52-year-old driver, a woman, and a 17-year-old male passenger. That vehicle then collided with the SUV in front of it, and both vehicles then collided with a tractor-trailer. The 55-year-old driver of the 2nd SUV, also a woman, suffered serious injuries, and the 35-year-old driver of the tractor-trailer suffered minor injuries. No word was given as to whether the truck-tractor driver who caused the pileup was injured.
Legal recourse
Since the truck-tractor driver admitted to being distracted while driving, ostensibly reaching to retrieve the dropped paperwork which led to the accident, those injured in this crash may use that as evidence against him in personal injury claims. The claims may also name the driver’s employer or anyone else who has ownership interest in his truck. By working with an experienced personal injury attorney in Florida, those adversely affected can gain a better understanding of their rights and options while increasing their chances of obtaining the maximum amount of compensation they deserve.