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Large trucks are a vital part of the U.S. economy. They quickly transport goods around the country in a way that would be more expensive and complex using planes or smaller vehicles. Because of this, truck drivers have a special responsibility in carrying out their job. They also have a special responsibility to be safe and cautious drivers. Not every truck driver takes this responsibility seriously. Florida currently ranks third in the nation for deaths caused by truck drivers.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident involving a truck driver, you may be facing an uphill battle to collect a settlement. Many truck drivers work for large companies that have the financial resources to mount a strong defense. However, a new piece of technology being implemented by many companies can actually help your chances of winning a case. This piece of technology is called a dashcam.
How Dangerous are Truck Crashes in Florida?
Accidents involving large trucks are some of the most dangerous a person can be involved in. This is because of the size and weight of the vehicle and the amount of damage it can cause. An eighteen wheeler can weigh between 35,000 and 80,000 pounds. This is compared to the average car, which only weighs 4,000 pounds. Even a simple collision can cause a tremendous amount of damage.
The severity of this damage increases in the event of a major accident. It takes 525 feet for an eighteen-wheeler to come to a stop once its driver hits the breaks, or about the length of one-and-a-half football fields. This means even if a truck driver attempts to take defensive action, their vehicle can cause tremendous damage. On average, a truck accident will cost the driver/company:
- $91,000 for an Accident Only Involving Vehicle Damage and/or Minor Injuries
- $200,000 for an Accident Involving Serious Injuries
- $3.6 million for an Accident Involving a Fatality
In an effort to free themselves of liability, many trucking businesses have taken to installing dashcams in their drivers’ cabs. This is a measure meant to protect the company from a lawsuit. It can also be key for accident victims in proving their case.
What is a Dashcam and How Are They Used in Florida?
Dashcams are digital cameras mounted somewhere inside of a vehicle’s cab. Depending on how and where they are mounted, they can record a variety of things. Many people know about dashcams from stories about law enforcement officers using them. In these instances, dash cams are usually mounted to an officer’s dashboard and face outward. This allows cameras to record footage of traffic stops.
Due to accidents, many businesses have begun installing dashcams in the cabs of their trucks. Companies may opt to have dashcams in trucks face inward or outward. There are advantages to both. Dashcams in big trucks can capture:
- If a Driver was Behaving Recklessly
- If a Driver Took Defensive Action Before a Crash
- If a Crash Was Caused by Another Driver Behaving Recklessly
- If the Truck Driver was Distracted (Texting While Driving, etc.)
- If the Truck Driver was Intoxicated
Depending on the company, dashcams may be mounted to record activity inside and outside of the cab.
Many truck drivers and unions have fought against dash cams. They see them as an invasion of privacy. They also feel they are a sign of distrust. Many truckers feel that if their employers truly believed in them they wouldn’t feel the need to monitor their driving. What many of these drivers do not realize is that dashcams can protect them in the event if an accident. If another driver causes the accident, or if the dashcam shows the driver was behaving responsibly and did everything they could to prevent the wreck, they can be freed from liability. However, this is often not the case. Often, dashcams work in favor of car crash victims.
If someone is involved in a wreck with a truck that had a dashcam, an attorney can subpoena this footage. This means the trucking company or business must turn it over for review. If this footage demonstrates the trucker driving irresponsibly, driving while distracted or intoxicated, or engaging in other unsafe behavior, it can make a case. Juries are unlikely to be sympathetic to a large truck driver who caused a wreck by driving recklessly. Companies may also be quick to settle out of court if they are afraid the footage could harm their reputation.
What Should I Do if I’m Hit by a Truck in Florida?
If you’re hit by a truck in Florida and the vehicle has a dashcam, it could be an open-and-shut case. You may have access to video evidence the truck driver was at fault. Even suggesting you may show this footage in court could cause a company to offer a large settlement.
Many businesses don’t anticipate individuals hiring attorneys to represent them. They will get their insurance companies to contact victims and offer quick settlements. These settlements will often be low and not take into account things such as future medical bills or lost wages. Remember, once you settle, you cannot attempt to collect any more money related to the accident.
If you or a loved one have been hit by a truck in Florida, don’t hesitate to to contact the Law Office of Jerry Jenkins P.A., located at 17410 Highway 50, Suite 220, Clermont FL 34711, one mile Southeast of Crystal Lake and three miles West of the South Lake Medical Arts Center. Jerry Jenkins and our legal team are experienced in obtaining and reviewing dash cam footage from big trucks. Jerry Jenkins is a former member of the US Armed Forces and doesn’t like it when people are careless with their responsibilities. We can identify reckless behavior and use video evidence to prove a wreck wasn’t your fault. We can even potentially save you the time and stress of a trial by using the truck’s own dashcam footage to negotiate a plea deal.
Wrecks involving trucks can be frightening and painful. There’s no reason you should go through further suffering with a legal battle. If you or a loved one were hit by a truck, call The Law Office of Jerry Jenkins P.A. today at (407) 287-6757 or email us for a free consultation. We’ll put up the fight you deserve.
