Truck Accidents

May 3, 2021

Fiery Tractor Trailer Accident On Miami’s Airport Expressway with Florida Rapper Tafia | Florida Truck Accident Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A fiery crash between Florida rapper Tafia and a tractor-trailer last month shut down all lanes of SR-112/Airport Expressway in the early morning hours.

The collision occurred near NW 12th Avenue a short time after 3:30 a.m.

The tractor-trailer driver claims the other vehicle involved in the crash was speeding on the shoulder at the time of the crash, according to reports.

Officials said that the truck smashed into a concrete barrier, which caused the 100 gallons of fuel it was carrying to burst into flames.

The truck driver was luckily able to kick open the door of his cab and exit the vehicle.

Four people were involved in the accident, but none were reported to have suffered serious injuries, according to Miami Fire Rescue.

One of the people in the SUV that was involved in the crash with the truck was North Miami rapper Tafia, according to reports.

According to Miami Fire Rescue, the firefighters at the scene were able to extinguish the flames in about 10-15 minutes. The Miami-Dade County Environmental Resources Management Team was also on the scene to assist with fuel that was leaking into a storm drain.

Motor vehicles are involved in thousands of crashes on Florida roadways every year that result in tragic consequences from costly repairs to fix damaged vehicles to serious personal injuries, road shutdowns, and even death. The truth is that the trucking industry is involved in a good portion of car accidents across the country each year.

If you happen to be involved in an accident with a tractor trailer or large semi-truck, then you are much more likely to suffer catastrophic consequences as a result. Big rigs and commercial trucks weigh anywhere from 20 to 30 times more than your typical passenger vehicles on the roads, so it is easy to see why accidents with these vehicles can bring about tragic results.

All vehicles—cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles—can cause traffic accidents for a variety of different reasons. Speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or prescription or over the counter meds, and fatigue are all leading causes of truck accidents.

Our Florida Truck Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton have an experienced team of truck accident attorneys on staff with decades of experience handling personal injury law cases. We are happy to offer you or your family members a free case evaluation following a truck accident so that you can fully understand your legal options.

Our Recommended Steps To Take After A Truck Accident in Florida

We know how frightening it can be when you are involved in a collision with large vehicles. Timing can be a very important factor when it comes to gathering evidence that can help with the process of filing a personal injury claim, so we always recommend contacting local authorities so that they can get to the crash site and preserve critical evidence.

If you have been injured or suffered damages to your vehicle in a truck accident, then we urge you to follow these important steps:

Call for help – Dial 9-1-1

Safety is the number one priority following a collision. If you or anyone else at the scene is injured, or could be, then call 9-1-1 right away so that everyone can get immediate medical attention and so that the police can be notified.

Medical records and an official police report are very important to support your claim after a truck accident. Once law enforcement has arrived at the scene, they can take notes of the accident, the time and location the accident occurred, and take statements from any witnesses or other drivers involved.

We want to reiterate how important it is to get medical care right away whenever you are involved in an accident. Even if you do not think your injuries are serious, you still need to be checked out by a doctor to rule out any complications that could present themselves later on.

Get as much information as you can

If you are able to, get as much information as you can from drivers, passengers, and any witnesses of the accident. You can get their names, phone numbers, email addresses, license plate numbers, driver’s license information, and insurance information. Any information you can obtain might prove useful when it comes to recovering damages following an accident.

Take pictures/videos

Take pictures of your injuries, the crash site, and any property damage so that this can support your claim. While police should collect their own photos for evidence to keep with the accident report, it can be a good idea to take your own just in case important evidence is missed, lost, or even destroyed.

Contact our Truck Accident Attorneys

Once you are medically cleared, you want to assert your legal rights, but doing this on your own is not a good idea. The best thing you can do is to reach out to our Florida Truck Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton as we can guide you through the injury claims process and help protect your legal interests. Continue reading

September 14, 2020

Semi Truck Accident on I-95 First of 127 Collisions in 5 Years to be Fatal, FHP Data Shows | Florida Semi Truck Accident Attorneys Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A semi truck lost control Tuesday and slammed into a car, resulting in the death of two young people.

The accident occurred along Interstate 95 near Lem Turner Road is the same roadway that has been the crash site for more than 100 car crashes in the last five years, according to data from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).

The FHP found that 127 collisions have happened in the same area where the semi truck lost control. The majority of the crashes have taken place at a curve in the interstate that is located just past an on-ramp.

The only accident that has been fatal of the 127 that have happened in the past five years was the one that happened Tuesday, according to FHP.

The crash report indicates that the semi lost control while travelling south and smashed into a concrete barrier and hit a car in the right hand lane. The 21-year-old driver of the car and her 23-year-old passenger were killed. The 65-year-old driver of the semi truck suffered no injuries.

According to the FHP, they have handled 109 of the 127 crashes that have resulted in 33 injuries. The other 18 collisions resulted in 6 injuries and were handled by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

The fatal accident that happened Tuesday is one of 22 that has occurred near the I-95 and Lem Turner Road interchange. The majority of these accidents were caused by off-road or rear-end wrecks.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is responsible for examining the roadways and identifying if any improvements need to be made. Cost, speed limit reductions, restructuring intersections, and other safety projects are looked at after accidents happen. FDOT will be reviewing the roadway to determine what needs to be done to make it safer for drivers.

The FHP said that Tuesday’s fatal crash is still being investigated and that charges are pending.

Semi truck collisions can be caused by numerous factors, some of the most common being:

Drivers operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Drivers who are fatigued or drowsy
Drivers who are distracted by their phones, navigation devices, the radio, etc.
Speeding drivers
Inclement weather
Road hazards or dangerous conditions
Trucks that are not properly maintained
Poor visibility
Construction zones

Federal Highway Trucking Regulations Suspended in March Due to Coronavirus

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), who oversees trucking regulations, temporarily suspended the mandate that dictates how many hours that truck drivers are allowed to drive back in March when the novel coronavirus first entered the scene in the U.S. The Trump Administration did this in an effort to get more goods out to people for emergency relief due to the global pandemic. These regulations are implemented to protect drivers sharing the roadways with semi trucks from truck drivers who have been operating their vehicles for prolonged periods of time. The rules are as follows: a truck driver can drive 11 hours in a 14 hour time frame. After this, they are required to take 10 hours off.

While the details surrounding the cause of this crash are not clear yet, it is true that tired truck drivers are operating on America’s roads. This is a danger for the foreseeable future.

If you are injured or have lost a loved one in a semi truck or tractor trailer accident, our Florida Semi Truck Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton want to remind you that we have the knowledge and experience needed to handle these types of cases. The trucking industry must follow strict regulations, but companies will do everything they can to find loopholes in these rules to protect at-fault drivers that have caused serious accidents. We know how these companies operate and how to investigate these types of cases so that those harmed can achieve justice.

We want to help you recover financial compensation from all parties responsible for any acts of recklessness or negligence. We may not be able to undo what has already been done, but we can fight to make sure that full and fair compensation is recovered from those responsible.

March 28, 2020

Trump Administration Suspends Safety Laws for Truck Drivers | Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The federal administration that oversees regulations for America’s six million professional drivers has temporarily suspended a trucking safety law that’s been in place since 1938.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said Friday evening that truck drivers who are moving goods “in support of emergency relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks” will temporarily not have to follow the hours-of-service laws, which mandate how many hours a truck driver may work.

This is the first time since 1938, when the rule was developed, that it’s been suspended on a national level. It’s common for states and local governments to lift the rule amid natural disasters, when consumers “panic buy” household goods and hospitals need medical supplies.

“Waivers of this type are a common response by FMCSA to natural disasters and crises because trucks delivering food, fuel and medicine are a critical part of the response,” America Trucking Associations spokesperson Sean McNally said in a statement to Business Insider. “This waiver will help keep loads of medicine, supplies and food moving as the country manages this current pandemic.”

Around 70% of the nation’s goods by weight is moved by a truck — so ensuring that they can get to your local grocery store or hospital ramps up in times of crisis.

In its current edition, HOS requires truck drivers to drive only 11 hours within a 14-hour work period. They must then log 10 hours of “off-duty” time. The safety law, which is aimed at eliminating exhausted truck drivers from the nation’s highways so they do not endanger others, is disliked by many drivers. Some say the strict regulations actually disrupt their sleep schedule and make them more likely to drive tired.

According to the FMCSA’s Friday evening emergency declaration, here are the types of loads that are exempt from HOS laws:

Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19
Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and disinfectants
Food for emergency restocking of stores
Equipment, supplies, and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to COVID-19
Persons designated by Federal, State or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes
Persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services, the supply of which may be affected by the COVID-19 response

The coronavirus outbreak, which has been ruled by the World Health Organization as a global pandemic, has seen “panic buying” envelop the nation.

Shipments to grocery and discount retailers increased by 25% last week, according to freight data visibility company Project44. On March 14, a Saturday, that boost was 60%.

Across the country, US sales of hand sanitizer jumped by 228% during the four weeks ending on March 7, compared to the same period last year, according to the most-recently available dataset from retail sales tracker Nielsen.

During January and February, Adobe Analytics, which tracks 80 top online retailers in the US, said sales of cold, cough, and flu products popped 198%, toilet paper grew 186%, canned foods jumped 69%, and “virus protection” items like gloves and masks jumped 817%.

Recent studies show just how damaging coronavirus can be. About 0.1% of people who get the seasonal flu die, but the coronavirus’ death rate is now at about 3.4%. Even those who recover from coronavirus may have 20% to 30% less lung capacity, causing survivors to gasp for breath while walking, doctors in Hong Kong have found.

While there is a demand around the country for supplies ranging from pasta to toilet paper, drastic measures have been necessary. While HOS has lifted regulations, saying putting more trucks on the road and for longer should help, there is a downside to all of this—the very real potential for more truck accidents.

Some of the most deadly motor vehicle accidents involve semi trucks and tractor trailers. The sheer size and weight of these trucks are no match for smaller vehicles such as cars and motorcycles. An accident with a big rig can easily lead to catastrophic injuries and even death.

There are two main factors, aside from weight and height, that are likely to cause deadly truck accidents:

Truck drivers being fatigued and driving for too long, which decreases their focus.

Improper loading, which can create an imbalance that can cause the truck to tip over.

Encouraging truck drivers to ignore how long they are driving as well as lifting weight restriction on these vehicles could truly be a recipe for disaster. Governments are creating dangerous conditions that could result in a surge of truck accidents.

Our Tampa Bay Truck Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton know the stress that is on many Americans during this difficult time. If you must be on the road, we urge you to exercise more caution than usual, especially around large trucks. Should you or a loved one get into an accident with a semi truck during this time, you can rest easy that we are working around the clock to help all injury and wrongful death victims. Our offices remain open.

June 6, 2018

Box Truck Accident Kills One, Injures Another in Deerfield Beach

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A box truck’s tire came loose Tuesday evening and struck an SUV along Interstate 95 in Oakland Park, killing the SUV driver and injuring a passenger.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the box truck was heading south along the highway when it lost its left front tire near Commercial Boulevard, just before 6:15 p.m.

Officials believe the tire bounced over the concrete barrier wall and onto the northbound lanes, smashing into the roof of a 2013 Ford Echo.

The 25-year-old driver of the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene. Paramedics transported the female passenger to Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale with injuries that were not classified as life-threatening.

Troopers are still investigating the cause of the accident. It remains unknown if any charges will be filed.

When a blowout occurs on the tire of a big rig, semi, 18-wheeler or other large, heavy truck, the aftermath is very different than that of a tire blowout in a smaller passenger vehicle. The resulting accident and injuries can be catastrophic or even fatal, as the above accident shows.

When accidents are caused by tires, our Florida Truck Accident Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton work diligently to determine who the liable parties are and hold them responsible for compensating accident victims or families of those killed in these tragic accidents. We collaborate with scientific experts and accident reconstruction specialists to figure out if the accident was caused by a manufacturing defect, by trucking company or employee negligence, or by other conditions.

A tire can be defective for a variety of different reasons, including failure to stand up to heat generated during driving or poor traction due to poor design or a problem in the manufacturing process. The most common tire defect that causes most 18-wheeler accident is poor treadwear and tread separation.

January 30, 2018

Car Accidents, Slip & Falls Rank #4 in Top 10 Leading Causes of Death in U.S.

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A new report out from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looks at the shifting trends in Americans’ health and mortality, and the conditions most likely to take lives.

While heart disease and cancer still top the list, Motor vehicle accidents, unintentional drug overdoses, and accidental falls and other injuries take the no. 4 spot.

According to the CDC, more than 2 million people are injured, and another 33,000 deaths occur each year due to auto accidents. It is no wonder why motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death in the U.S.

In 2015, more than 35,000 car-accident deaths occurred throughout the U.S., according to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Of those deaths, 3,174 occurred in Florida.

The good news is that most injuries and deaths on the road are entirely preventable,. The bad news is that the majority of those injured or killed are done so through no fault of their own. Auto accident victims are left with medical bills, lost wages, physical and emotional pain and suffering, and, in many cases, permanent injury or death. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in an auto accident in Florida, our Car Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can help you understand how to pursue financial compensation from the at-fault party.

According to the National Safety Council, slip and falls are one of the leading causes of accidental injury. Slip and falls lead to an estimated 9 million visits to the emergency room each year. The risk of slipping and falling increases with age. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a slip and fall, it is best to speak with our Florida Slip & Fall Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton to understand your legal options.

December 21, 2017

The Holidays Are Here, Drive Carefully!

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The holiday season is a time for joyful celebrations and enjoying time with friends and family. It is also a high-risk time to be on the roadways. Christmas, New Year’s, and the days surrounding these holidays are days when there is a substantially higher number of auto accidents and crash fatalities than other times of the year. If you or someone you love is injured or killed in a holiday car accident, our Florida Auto Accident Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton are here to help you through.

Christmas and New Year’s are all at the top of the list of high-risk days for drivers. These holidays see some of the year’s highest accident rates, along with Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Independence Day. The increase in fatalities and serious injury accidents on these holidays is substantial, with motorists facing a dramatically increased chance of being involved in a crash.

The Christmas holiday period includes Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the day after Christmas. During this holiday time, an average of 343 people die in motor vehicle accidents. New Years is also defined as a three-day holiday period including New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Over New Year’s, an average of 373 people die in car accidents. Why? More drivers on the roads and more drunk drivers are two primary reasons for the rise in car accident deaths on both Christmas and New Year’s.

Drivers need to be aware of the added dangers of driving on these holidays and should take precautions to try to protect themselves from becoming accident victims. There are a few things you can do to make sure you are set up well for travelling this holiday season.

Make sure your car is in good condition before traveling.
Get plenty of rest to avoid drowsy driving.
Check road conditions to be prepared for adverse weather and avoid driving during storms.
Try to limit travel time to daytime rather than driving at night when the accident risks are greater.
Stay sober and avoid alcohol and drugs.
Don’t succumb to distractions when driving!

If you or someone you love is the victim of a crash on any day or holiday, our Florida Auto Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can provide assistance with pursuing a case for financial compensation for crash injuries or wrongful death.

August 4, 2016

Florida Truck Driver Charged in Wreck That Killed Family of 5

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A truck driver that was arrested in a crash on Interstate 80 that killed a Minnesota couple and their three children has his first court appearance Tuesday.

The Keith County Court’s office said the 53-year-old Baker, Florida man, is facing five counts of felony motor vehicle homicide and one count of reckless driving.

He is being held on $100,000 bond.

A Nebraska State Patrol affidavit says the man was inattentive and speeding through a construction zone Sunday when his semitrailer smashed into the back of a minivan and other vehicles. The minivan was carrying a 29-year-old St. Paul couple, and their three children.

Collisions with large trucks usually end in fatalities. Sadly, passenger vehicles are no match for the size and weight of semis and tractor trailers. While nothing can bring back loved ones killed in truck accidents, the law does provide a legal remedy for surviving family members to ease any financial burdens through what is called a wrongful death lawsuit. If a truck driver’s reckless or negligent actions resulted in a crash that killed another person, they can be held legally liable for any harm caused.

Wrongful death claims can be complex when dealing with a trucking company. There are many aspects that must be properly investigated, including the driver logs, the truck itself and all other relevant documents that could point to regulation violations.

April 22, 2016

City Garbage Truck Driver Causes Crash in Tallahassee

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

According to police, a city solid waste truck collided with a sports utility vehicle early Thursday in Tallahassee.

The SUV’s driver died of his injuries at a hospital.

The truck’s driver was not injured.

No additional information is available at this time.

Homicide investigators are interviewing witnesses and reviewing evidence from the crash.

Garbage trucks provide a critical service to the community – they haul and dispose of waste. But just like any large vehicle on the roadway, when an accident happens, garbage trucks can cause serious injuries like brain injuries, spinal cord trauma and even wrongful death.

Our Truck Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melon know that trucking accidents are quite serious matters, which is why we conduct an in-depth investigation into the cause of the crash so that we can hold all negligent parties accountable for your losses. We leave no stone unturned and will obtain and analyze the driving history of the garbage truck driver and the maintenance records for the vehicle, interview witnesses, review the accident scene, and even hire accident reconstruction and engineering experts to inspect the crash site. We make sure your rights are protected.

April 11, 2016

Man in Wheelchair Killed in Truck Crash in Osceola County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A man in a wheelchair died Tuesday morning after he was hit by a box truck in Osceola County.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened at about 9:45 a.m. on U.S. 192 at the intersection of International Drive.

The 82-year-old Celebration man was travelling southbound in a motorized wheelchair on International Drive when he tried to cross U.S. 192. That’s when a box truck driven by a 35-year-old Kissimmee man struck the man in the wheelchair as the truck tried to turn right onto U.S. 192, troopers said.

The man in the wheelchair was taken to Florida Hospital Celebration Health, where he passed away.

The crash is currently under investigation.

Did you know that everyday drivers share the roads with countless 80,000-pound semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles whose drivers are working to complete their routes in the least amount of time possible? Due to time constraints, they often cut corners when it comes to safety regulations, not to mention they can become easily distracted from the primary task at hand – driving their truck safely.

The sheer force of a collision with a commercial vehicle, especially a fully loaded 18-wheeler, is far greater than the force of just your typical car wreck between passenger vehicles. The weight of a truck combined with speed and a negligent driver is truly a recipe for disaster.

Truck drivers, just like drivers of other vehicle, can be easily distracted due to:

Texting or talking on cell phone
GPS system or radio use
Eating, drinking or smoking while driving
Reading while driving
Driver fatigue

March 28, 2016

Drivers with Untreated Sleep Apnea Have 5 Times Greater Crash Risk

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Truck drivers with untreated sleep apnea have a five times greater preventable crash risk than those who are being treated or do not have the ailment at all, according to a new study published in the journal Sleep on Monday.

Driving trucks while drowsy is quite dangerous. Even riskier are those with sleep problems.

“It’s estimated that up to 20 percent of all large truck crashes are due to drowsy or fatigued driving, which would account for almost 9,000 fatalities and up to 220,000 serious injuries,” says senior author Stefanos Kales from the Harvard Chan School.