Most drivers are instinctively wary of large trucks, and go out of their way to avoid driving near larger vehicles. Even though trucks are a common sight on the road, accidents involving trucks and smaller vehicles are known to cause serious injury to passengers and drivers. These trucking accidents account for a significant share of fatalities on the road. The truck accident lawyers at our Panama City firm can help victims, or the families of wrongful death victims, pursue compensation if they have been injured in a collision with a semi-truck or tractor-trailer. At the firm of Manuel & Thompson, we have the experience and resources to negotiate fair and just settlements.

Our personal injury attorneys have achieved significant verdicts and settlements for victims of trucking accidents in Florida. Contact the truck accident lawyers at our Panama City law office today for a case evaluation.

• Why Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers?
• Common Causes of Trucking Accidents
• Potential Truck Accident Defendants
• Rollover and Jackknifing Trucking Accidents
• Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers

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Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Administration show that most of us will be involved in at least one car accident, motorcycle accident, or truck accident during our lifetime. The tremendous difference in size and weight between passenger vehicles and large trucks often results in trucking accident victims suffering catastrophic personal injuries.

Personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits relating to trucking accidents involve a complicated canon of laws and require a large amount of evidence. Because the trucking industry is heavily regulated, a truck accident case is significantly more complex than an automobile accident case and may require the expertise of an experienced attorney. If you have been injured and would like our truck accident lawyers to review your claim, contact our Panama City personal injury office to arrange a consultation.

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Tractor-trailers and semi-trucks have certain speed, turning, visibility, and braking characteristics that other drivers need to be cognizant of. Often, trucking accidents are a product of these limitations. Other common causes of truck accidents include:

• Driver error — speeding, unsafe passing, failure to yield, following too closely, etc.
• Poor driving conditions — poor visibility, diminished traction, etc.
• Vehicle defects — defective tires, safety systems, lights, etc. (Learn more about product liability.)
• Inexperienced or poorly-trained drivers
• Overloaded or oversized trucks
• Intoxication — driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Overworked drivers — fatigued, sleepy, or tired as a result of long hours or deadline pressure

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To ensure victims of trucking accidents obtain the maximum compensation for damages and injuries, our truck accident lawyers will identify as many potential defendants as possible. Parties that may be held liable and be obligated to compensate victims include:

• Truck drivers
• Trucking companies
• Employers
• Contractors
• Insurance companies

If a truck driver is employed by a trucking or shipping company then the company may be held liable for the trucking accident. Establishing the liability of third parties can be difficult if, as is often the case, the driver is an independent contractor of a larger company. In that situation, it is important to have experienced truck accident lawyers on your side. If you have been involved in an accident with a commercial truck, contact our Panama City personal injury attorneys to schedule a case evaluation with our team.

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During a semi-truck or tractor-trailer accident, the truck may jackknife or rollover. Trucking rollover accidents typically occur at exit and entrance ramps when a driver misjudges the sharpness of a ramp curve and enters it at an excessive speed. Jackknifing refers to the dangerous situation when a truck skids, causing the trailer to swing out to one side forming an angle (resembling how the blade of a jackknife forms an angle with its protective handle). If a truck jackknifes with any speed, there is a high likelihood of a rollover accident.

While jackknifing can be caused by slippery road conditions, often jackknife trucking accidents are the result of truck driver negligence. Contact the truck accident lawyers at our Panama City office today if you have been injured in a rollover or jackknifing accident. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

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Trucking accidents often have a devastating effect on the lives of victims and their families. Victims of trucking accidents may be entitled to compensation for any resulting physical, emotional, or financial losses suffered. Because it is always difficult to put a dollar value on the catastrophic injuries and emotional distress caused by a trucking accident, it is important for victims to retain experienced representation. The truck accident lawyers at our Panama City firm will fight for fair and just compensation. Victims may be entitled to compensation for: medical expenses, property damage, lost income, diminished earning capacity, emotional distress, as well as pain and suffering. It is imperative that victims of trucking accidents know their rights. If you have been involved in a truck accident, contact the lawyers at our Panama City personal injury firm for an evaluation of your case.

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