Common Causes of Lakeland Truck Accidents
Truck accidents in Lakeland often result from a combination of driver error, vehicle issues, and industry-related pressures. Given the city’s location along major routes, commercial traffic is constant, and so is the risk of serious collisions. Many of these crashes could be avoided if safety regulations were properly followed and enforced.
Below are some of the most common causes of truck accidents in the Lakeland area:
- Driver Fatigue: Federal hours-of-service rules exist for a reason. When truck drivers exceed safe driving limits or don’t take mandatory rest breaks, they become dangerously fatigued. Drowsy drivers have slower reaction times and may fall asleep behind the wheel, especially during long overnight shifts.
- Distracted Driving: Despite laws and corporate policies against it, truck drivers are often tempted to use their phones, eat meals, adjust GPS systems, or engage with dispatchers while driving. Even a few seconds of inattention at highway speeds can result in a devastating crash.
- Speeding and Aggressive Driving: Commercial drivers are often under pressure to meet tight delivery schedules. This pressure leads some to speed, tailgate, or weave through traffic, behaviors that are particularly dangerous given the size and stopping distance of a fully loaded truck.
- Impaired Driving: The use of alcohol, illegal drugs, or even prescription medications can impair judgment, coordination, and response time. Commercial drivers are held to stricter DUI standards than passenger vehicle drivers, but violations still happen with tragic results.
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Commercial trucks are subject to strict maintenance standards, but when companies cut corners or delay repairs, it puts everyone at risk. Worn brakes, bald tires, malfunctioning lights, and steering issues are common contributing factors in truck crashes.
- Improperly Loaded or Secured Cargo: If cargo isn’t balanced or tied down correctly, it can shift suddenly and cause a rollover, jackknife, or loss of control. Hazardous materials may also spill, increasing the risk of fire or environmental damage.
- Inexperienced or Poorly Trained Drivers: Some trucking companies fail to adequately train new drivers or vet their qualifications. Inexperienced drivers may not know how to react in emergencies, how to handle adverse weather, or how to safely navigate sharp turns and tight corners.
- Blind Spot Errors (No-Zone Crashes): Trucks have large blind spots on all four sides. If a driver fails to check these areas before changing lanes or turning, nearby vehicles, especially smaller ones, are in danger of being sideswiped or forced off the road.
- Mechanical Defects: Sometimes, the truck itself is to blame. Defective components such as steering systems, brakes, or coupling devices can fail unexpectedly, even when drivers are following protocol.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were over
35,000 Florida truck accidents in 2023, including 46 fatalities. These accidents continue to be a major safety concern, especially on high-traffic routes like I-4 and US-92 near Lakeland and Polk County. I-95 and I-75 also see heavy truck traffic on a daily basis and are both common locations for serious accidents involving trucks.
At Kemp Injury Law, we thoroughly investigate each accident to determine the exact cause and identify all responsible parties, so our Lakeland clients have the strongest case possible.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident in Lakeland?
Liability in a truck accident isn’t always limited to just the driver. Unlike a typical car crash, truck accidents often involve multiple parties and layers of responsibility, which can make determining fault more complex. To recover full compensation, it’s critical to identify everyone who contributed to the crash.
Potentially liable parties in a Lakeland truck accident include:
- The Truck Driver: If the driver was speeding, texting, driving under the influence, or ignoring rest break regulations, they may be held directly responsible for the crash.
- The Trucking Company: Employers can be liable for negligent hiring, inadequate training, pressuring drivers with unrealistic delivery schedules, or failing to properly inspect and maintain their fleet.
- Cargo Loading Companies: If the truck was overloaded or freight was unevenly distributed or unsecured, the company responsible for loading may be liable for causing or contributing to the accident.
- Truck or Parts Manufacturers: Some crashes stem from defective components such as faulty brakes, steering systems, or tires. In these cases, the manufacturer of the vehicle or part could be held accountable under product liability laws.
- Maintenance and Repair Providers: If a third-party contractor was hired to inspect or service the truck and performed substandard work or overlooked a known safety issue, they may be responsible for resulting mechanical failures.
At Kemp Injury Law, we dig deep into every Lakeland truck accident case by analyzing driver logs, maintenance records, black box data, and crash scene evidence. Uncovering every source of liability is key to maximizing your financial recovery and ensuring all negligent parties are held accountable.
Common Injuries in Lakeland Truck Accidents
Due to their enormous size and weight, often exceeding 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, commercial trucks can inflict catastrophic damage during a collision. Unlike passenger vehicle accidents, crashes involving semi-trucks and tractor-trailers are far more likely to result in severe, long-term, or fatal injuries, even at moderate speeds.
Victims of truck accidents in Lakeland may suffer from:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): A sudden jolt or blow to the head can lead to concussions, skull fractures, or more serious brain trauma. TBIs often result in memory loss, impaired cognitive function, headaches, dizziness, and emotional disturbances. In severe cases, they may require lifelong care or rehabilitation.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Collisions with commercial trucks can cause slipped or herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or full spinal cord damage, leading to partial or complete paralysis. These injuries can limit mobility, independence, and quality of life.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: The force of impact in a truck accident can shatter bones in the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis. These injuries may require multiple surgeries, metal implants, and months of physical therapy to heal.
- Internal Organ Damage: Blunt force trauma from seat belts, airbags, or crushing can injure organs such as the liver, lungs, kidneys, or spleen. Internal bleeding may not be immediately apparent but can be fatal without prompt medical treatment.
- Severe Burns and Lacerations: In high-impact crashes, especially those involving fuel leaks or fire, victims may suffer second- or third-degree burns. Shattered glass and twisted metal can also cause deep cuts and permanent scarring.
- Amputations and Crush Injuries: Victims trapped in wreckage or struck directly by the truck can sustain devastating injuries to limbs, sometimes resulting in surgical amputation or permanent disability due to crushed bones and tissues.
Truck accident injuries often result in more than just physical harm; they come with emotional trauma, financial stress, and long-term medical needs. At Kemp Injury Law, we work closely with physicians, surgeons, and rehabilitation experts in Lakeland to accurately assess the full scope of your injuries and fight for compensation that reflects both your current and future needs.
Florida Trucking Laws and Regulations
The trucking industry is governed by a combination of federal and state regulations aimed at promoting safety and reducing the risk of serious accidents. When these laws are violated, it not only endangers the public but also creates a clear basis for establishing liability in a Lakeland truck accident case.
Key trucking laws and regulations include:
- Hours-of-Service Rules: Under FMCSA guidelines, truck drivers must follow strict limits on how many hours they can drive without rest. These rules are designed to prevent fatigue, a leading cause of truck crashes.
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Requirements: Drivers must hold the appropriate CDL endorsement and complete specialized training to operate different types of commercial vehicles safely.
- Routine Maintenance and Inspections: Trucking companies are required to perform regular inspections and maintain detailed records. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and other mechanical problems are often tied to skipped or falsified maintenance.
- Weight and Load Limits: Trucks must comply with legal weight restrictions, and cargo must be loaded securely and evenly. Overloaded or unbalanced trucks are more prone to tipping, jackknifing, or losing control.
- Drug and Alcohol Testing Protocols: CDL drivers are subject to mandatory drug and alcohol testing at hiring, randomly, and following certain types of accidents. Failure to comply or testing positive can result in disqualification and serious legal consequences.
Violations of these rules can be used as compelling evidence of negligence. At Kemp Injury Law, we thoroughly investigate whether any federal or Florida-specific trucking laws were broken during your Lakeland truck accident and use that information to build a strong, persuasive claim on your behalf.
How Can an Attorney Help After a Lakeland Truck Accident?
Truck accident cases in Lakeland aren’t like typical car crash claims; they’re more complex, often involving multiple parties, federal regulations, and high-value insurance policies. Insurance companies and trucking firms will act quickly to protect their own interests. That’s why it’s crucial to have a skilled legal team on your side from the very beginning.
At Kemp Injury Law, we help truck accident victims in Lakeland by:
- Investigating the Crash Scene Thoroughly: We examine skid marks, vehicle damage, road conditions, and debris while collecting black box (event data recorder) information, dashcam footage, police reports, and witness statements to establish exactly what happened.
- Preserving Critical Evidence: We send formal spoliation letters to trucking companies to prevent them from discarding or altering maintenance logs, driver logs, GPS data, or other key documents that could prove liability.
- Working with Expert Witnesses: Our legal team consults with accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and economic experts to understand the full impact of your injuries and calculate future losses.
- Handling All Communication with Insurers: We deal directly with insurance adjusters so you don’t have to. Our team pushes back against lowball offers and tactics designed to limit your compensation.
- Pursuing Maximum Compensation: Whether through negotiation or trial, we fight for the full value of your claim, including current and future medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, long-term disability, and emotional distress.
We know how overwhelming a serious truck accident can be. That’s why we handle the legal legwork, allowing injured victims in Lakeland to focus on their recovery while we work tirelessly to secure the justice and compensation they deserve.
Not only do we offer invaluable legal support to injured victims of truck accidents in Lakeland and throughout all of Polk County, we also handle a wide range of personal injury cases, such as:
If you have lost a loved one in a Lakeland truck accident, our team is here to discuss helping you pursue a
wrongful death claim. With his experience working as both a prosecutor and an associate at one of the largest firms in the nation,
Adam Kemp is prepared to handle your Lakeland truck accident claim with confidence and help you secure the maximum compensation available.
Contact Kemp Injury Law Today if You've Been Injured in a Lakeland Truck Accident
After a serious truck accident, the clock starts ticking. Trucking companies and their insurers often act fast to limit their liability, sometimes even dispatching investigators to the scene before the debris is cleared. That’s why it’s crucial to have a dedicated legal team in your corner right away.
At Kemp Injury Law, we’re here to protect your rights from day one. We’ll provide a free, no-obligation consultation to assess your Lakeland truck accident case, explain your legal options, and begin gathering the evidence needed to pursue your claim.
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in a Lakeland truck accident, don’t wait.
Call Kemp Injury Law today and let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Who Is Responsible for Compensating Me for My Injuries or Loss in a Lakeland Truck Accident?
If you suffered serious injuries in a Lakeland truck accident, or a family member was fatally injured in one, you may be entitled to compensation if another party’s negligent conduct caused or contributed to the crash. Negligence is a legal term that is based on the idea that another party breached a legal duty of care owed to you, resulting in injury to you. A Lakeland truck accident lawyer can evaluate the facts of your case to determine if another party was negligent. One of the many reasons that truck accidents are particularly complex and difficult to litigate is that it is common to have more than one potentially negligent defendant, including the:
- Driver: A driver’s conduct, including things such as speeding, driving while under the influence, texting while driving, or falling asleep behind the wheel, can amount to negligence.
- Company that owns the truck: If the company that owns the truck failed to properly inspect or maintain the truck or knowingly allowed drivers to violate federal hours laws, the company might share in the negligence that caused the crash.
- Maintenance Company: Often, a third party is responsible for maintaining and repairing trucks. If the maintenance company failed to inspect or repair a truck, that company might share in the legal liability for the accident.
- Truck Manufacturer: Sometimes the truck itself has a design or manufacturing defect that contributes to an accident. In that case, the truck designer or manufacturer may share in the liability for an accident.
- Owner of the Cargo: The type of cargo being transported or the manner in which cargo is packed can contribute to an accident, making the owner of the cargo responsible.
- Local, State, or Federal Government: Local, state, and federal government agencies are responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of the nation’s roadways. If an improperly designed, maintained, or repaired roadway contributed to the collision, the appropriate governmental agency could share in the legal liability for the collision.
Am I Entitled to Compensation for My Lakeland Truck Accident Injuries?
If you were injured in a Lakeland truck accident, you could be entitled to economic and non-economic damages as compensation for those injuries. Collectively, economic and non-economic damages may compensate an injured victim for things such as:
- Doctor and hospital expenses
- Rehabilitation and other care costs
- Lost income (both to date and future)
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
If you are a surviving spouse, parent, or child of someone who was fatally injured in a truck accident, you may also qualify as a claimant in a wrongful death lawsuit and be entitled to compensation for the loss of companionship, care, and support provided by the decedent prior to the accident.
How Can an Experienced Lakeland Truck Accident Lawyer Help?
Attorney Adam Kemp is committed to helping victims who were injured in a Lakeland truck accident, pedestrian accident, or bicycle accident due to a blind spot. He works tirelessly to ensure that the responsible party or parties are held accountable and that the victim receives full compensation for both the physical injuries and emotional trauma experienced as a result of the crash.
As a former prosecuting attorney and associate at one of the largest personal injury firms in America, attorney Adam Kemp gained invaluable experience that he now puts to use helping injured victims and surviving family members. Furthermore, the team at Kemp Personal Injury Law takes pride in the personal relationships they nurture with each client so that clients feel like part of the Kemp family.
If you were injured in a Lakeland truck accident, or you lost a family member in one, contact an experienced Lakeland truck accident lawyer at Kemp Personal Injury Law to discuss your legal options. It is our mission to make sure that victims who were injured in a preventable truck accident are fully and fairly compensated by the responsible party or parties. Contact the team today for your free initial consultation by calling 863-225-0254 or by filling out our convenient Free Case Review form.
