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Trucking/Tractor Trailer/Semi Accidents (Virginia/Carolina, eastern USA)

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Car and Truck Accidents in Florida (FL)

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On the surface, car and truck accidental injuries might seem similar. Another driver makes a mistake, there's a squeal of breaks and shattering glass, and in mere seconds you are left shocked, confused, and suffering from personal injuries. It shouldn't matter when it comes to my case, you might think, whether a truck or any other vehicle/car/SUV caused the accident and personal injuries. Here are just a few ways in which a truck accident is different from a car accident: 1. Trucks (sometimes called "big rigs," semi's, 18 wheelers, or tractor-trailers) weigh considerably more than cars, and can therefore cause considerably more damage, and more serious personal injuries or deaths. While the average American car weighs just over 4,000 pounds, a fully loaded commercial tractor-trailer can weight up to 80,000 pounds. This means that they are harder to slow down, harder to control, and make a much bigger impact when they crash. You are more likely to become seriously injured or die in a truck-related collision.
2. Trucks are not driven by private individuals, but rather by employees. This makes it much more difficult to ascertain who was liable for the accident and whose insurance company should cover the damages. Often one company will hire the driver, another company will own the cab, and a third company will own the trailer and contents. Figuring out whose actions are to blame and who should compensate is very muddled and complicated. Commercial semis are like small rolling businesses - and it can be much harder to go into a legal battle with a company than with an individual.
3. Trucks have large blind spots that can cause serious accidents when the vehicles are turning, backing up, or changing lanes.
4. Trucker and truck operators are subject to a number of strict state and federal regulations. Trucks must be inspected frequently since truck brakes wear out quickly and other mechanical malfunctions are common. Truckers must keep detailed logs and cannot drive for long stretches of time. If you have a knowledgably attorney, you can use this information and evidence to you advantage.
5. Given their occupation, big rig and semi drivers are susceptible to fatigue, prescription drug use, non-prescription drug use, carelessness, and reckless driving. Truck driving can be a high-pressure job with tight deadlines, and the cost of those pressures is often accidents and injuries.

Florida (FL) Summary and Facts

Florida (FL) is a very unique state with a very unique economy and personality. A peninsula, vacation destination, retirement haven, and center for southern culture, Florida (FL) has captured the imaginations of millions. Whether you have lived there for generations, visit your grandparents in their new condo, or visit one of their pristine beaches, everyone in Florida (FL) is bathed in sunshine, surrounded by a delicate ecology, and thriving in every sense of the word.

Capitol: Tallahassee. Other major cities: Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Hialeah, Fort Lauderdale, Cape Coral, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Port St. Lucie, Coral Springs, Gainesville, Miramar, Clearwater, Pompano Beach, Miami Gardens, West Palm Beach, Palm Bay, Sunrise, Lakeland, Miami Beach, Boca Raton, Plantation.

Population: Florida (FL) has a population of 18,100,000 people, and is growing at a rate of 13 percent per six years.

State Slogan: Visit Florida (FL).

History: Florida (FL) was discovered by the Europeans in 1513 by explorer Juan Pince de Leon. He named the state, which means "feast of the flowers," a Spanish Easter celebration. Throughout the next century, the state was searched for gold and silver without much luck. After a strained relationship with Spain, England gained control of Florida (FL) with a trade of Havana, Cuba. During the Revolution, Florida (FL) remained loyal to the British and was then retaken by the Spanish until 1821, when Andrew Jackson reclaimed the land for the US. It became the 27th state in 1845. The state ceded during the Civil War, though no decisive battles were fought there. In the aftermath, Florida (FL) had an easier time recovering than other southern states due to its ports and later, due to its tourism.

Climate: Florida (FL) has a tropical climate in the bulk of the state, although the northern panhandle has a humid subtropical climate. The peninsula has a rainy season from early summer (June) to early fall (September) and a defined dry season in the spring that often leads to brush fires. The northern and eastern peninsula sees cooler weather due to its exposure to the Atlantic Ocean, while the southern and western peninsula has more moderate and warmer weather due to the Gulf Stream. Florida (FL) sees little snow and few frosts, though it is susceptible to tropical storms, hail, and hurricanes.

Major Highways, Interstates, and Roadways in Florida (FL)

The major interstate highways in Florida (FL) include I-4, I-10, I-75, and I-95.

Interstate 4 bisects Florida (FL) from east to west, connecting Tampa, Lakeland, Orlando, and Daytona Beach. At some points, however, such as in Orange County and Seminole County, it runs north and south. It also connects with I-95 in Daytona Beach and I-75 in Tampa. It is also known as the I-4 Corridor.

Interstate 10 traverses the panhandle of Florida (FL), traveling through the less populated parts of the state. The road connects Jacksonville, Lake City, Tallahassee and Pensacola, with junctions with I-95 in Jacksonville and I-75 in Lake City. Part of the interstate is also known as Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. The road is being widened to six lanes in both Pensacola and Tallahassee.

Interstate 75 enters the state near Lake City, 45 miles west of Jacksonville, where it is known as the Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway. It continues southward through Gainesville, Ocala, Tampa's eastern suburbs, Bradenton, Sarasota, Fort Myers and Naples, where it crosses the "Alligator Alley" as a toll road to Fort Lauderdale before turning southward and terminating in Hialeah/Miami Lakes. It exits the state and leads into South Georgia. It has junctions with I-10 in Lake City and I-4 in Tampa.

Interstate 95 is the main north-south interstate on the east coast, and it ends in the state of Florida (FL). It enters the state near Jacksonville and continues along the Atlantic Coast through Daytona Beach Melbourne/Titusville, Palm Bay, Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, Port Saint Lucie, Stuart, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale before terminating in Downtown Miami. Express lanes will be added to the road beginning in 2008. It junctions with I-10 in Jacksonville and I-4 in Daytona Beach.

The Counties, Cities, and Towns of Florida (FL)

Marion County includes the cities and towns of Belleview, Citra, Dunnellon, Eureka, Fort McCoy, McIntosh, Ocala, Ocklawaha, Orange Springs, Reddick, Romeo, Salt Springs, Summerfield, and Weirsdale.

Sumter County includes the cities and towns of Bushnell, Center Hill, Coleman, Lake Panasoffkee, Sumterville, Oxford, The Villages, Webster, and Wildwood.

Lake County includes the cities and towns of Altoona, Astatula, Astor, Bassville Park, Clermont, Eustis, Forest Hills, Fruitland Park, Groveland, Howey-In-The-Hills, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Mascotte, Minneola, Montverde, Mount Dora, Mount Plymouth, Okahumpka, Paisley, Sorrento, Tavares, Umatilla, and Yalaha.

Seminole County includes the cities and towns of Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Geneva, Lake Mary, Lake Monroe, Longwood, Oviedo, Sanford, and Winter Springs.

Orange County includes the cities and towns of Alafaya, Apopka, Bay Lake, Belle Isle, Christmas, Doctor Phillips, Eatonville, Edgewood, Hunter's Creek, Lake Buena Vista, Maitland, Oakland, Ocoee, Orlando, Tangerine, Windermere, Winter Garden, Winter Park, and Zellwood.

Osceola County includes the cities and towns of Campbell, Celebration, Champions Gate, Kissimmee, Poinciana, and St. Cloud.

Polk County includes the cities and towns of Auburndale, Bartow, Davenport, Dundee, Eagle Lake, Fedhaven, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Highland Park, Hillcrest Heights, Indian Lake Estates, Lake Alfred, Lake Hamilton, Lake Wales, Lakeland, Mulberry, Nalcrest, Polk City, Providence, and Winter Haven.

Hardee County includes the cities and towns of Bowling Green, Wauchula, and Zolfo Springs.

Highlands County includes the cities and towns of Avon Park, Lake Placid, Leisure Lakes, Lorida, Sebring, and Venus.

Volusia County includes the cities and towns of Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, DeBary, DeLand, Deltona, Edgewater, Holly Hill, Lake Helen, New Smyrna Beach, Oak Hill, Orange City, Ormond Beach, Pierson, Ponce Inlet, Port Orange, and South Daytona.

Brevard County includes the cities and towns of Barefoot Bay, Cape Canaveral (Port Canaveral), Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, Grant, Indialantic, Indian Harbor Beach, Malabar, Melbourne, Melbourne Beach, Melbourne Village, Merritt Island, Palm Bay, Palm Shores, Rockledge, Satellite Beach, Suntree, Titusville, Viera, and West Melbourne.

Indian River County includes the cities and towns of Fellsmere, Indian River Shores, Orchid, Roseland, Sebastian, and Vero Beach.

Okeechobee County includes the towns of Cypress Quarters and Okeechobee.

St. Lucie County includes the towns and cities of Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, and St. Lucie Village.

Citrus County includes the cities and towns of Beverly Hills, Black Diamond, Ctirus Hills, Citrus Springs, Crystal River, Floral City, Hernando, Homosassa Springs, Homosassa, Inverness, Lecanto, Pine Ridge, and Sugarmill Woods.

Hernando County includes the cities and towns of Brooksville, Herrnando Beach, Masaryktown, Ridge Manor, Spring Hill, Weeki and Wachee.

Pasco County includes the towns and cities of Bayonet Point, Beacon Point, Dade City, Elfers, Gulf Harbors, Holiday, Hudson, Lacoochee, Land O' Lakes, New Port Richey, Odessa, Port Richey, San Antonio, Shady Hills, St. Leo, Trinity, Wesley Chapel, and Zephyrhills.

Pinellas County includes the cities and towns of Bay Pines, Belleair, Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Belleair Shore, Clearwater, Crystal Beach, Dunedin, Gulfport, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Kenneth City, Largo, Madeira Beach, North Redington Beach, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Pass-A-Grille Beach, Pinellas Park, Redington Beach, Redington Shores, Safety Harbor, Seminole, South Pasadena, St. Pete Beach, St. Petersburg, Sunset Beach, Tarpon Springs, Tierra Verde, Treasure Island, and Ozona.

Hillsborough County includes the cities and towns of Apollo Beach, Balm, Bloomingdale, Brandon, Carrollwood Village, Dover, Gibsonton, Lithia, Lutz, Mango, Orient Park, Plant City, Riverview, Ruskin, Seffner, Sun City Center, Tampa, Temple Terrace, Thonotosassa, Valrico, Wimauma, and Ybor City.

Manatee County includes the cities and towns of Anna Maria, Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, Longboat Key, Myakka City, Oneco, and Palmetto.

Sarasota County includes the cities and towns of Nokomis, Osprey, North Port, Sarasota, and Venice.

DeSoto County includes the cities and towns of Arcadia, Brownville, Cubitis, Fort Ogden, Hull, Lake Suzy, Lansing, Nocatee, Southfort, Pine Level, and Platt.

Gadsden County includes the cities and towns of Chattahoochee, Greensboro, Gretna, Havana, Midway, Mount Pleasant, and Quincy.

Leon County includes the cities and towns of Tallahassee, and Woodville.

Wakulla County includes the cities and towns of Crawfordville, Sopchoppy, Smith Creek, St. Marks, Wakulla Beach, and Wakulla Springs.

Jefferson County includes the cities and towns of Capps, Drifton, Lamont, Lloyd, Monticello, and Wacissa.

Madison County includes the towns of Greenville, Lee, and Madison.

Taylor County includes the towns of Perry and Steinhatchee.

Hamilton County includes the cities and towns of Jasper, Jennings, Madison, and White Springs.

Suwannee County includes the cities and towns of Branford, Dowling Park, Live Oak, McAlpin, O'Brien, Three Rivers, and Wellborn.

Lafayette County includes the cities and towns of Day, and Mayo.

Dixie County includes the towns and cities of Cross City, Horseshoe Beach, and Old Town.

Columbia County includes the cities and towns of Fort White, Lake City, Lulu, and Watertown.

Union County includes the cities and towns of Lake Butler, Raiford, and Worthington Springs.

Bradford County includes the cities and towns of Brooker, Hampton, Lawtey, and Starke.

Gilchrist County includes the town of Trenton.

Alachua County includes the cities and towns of Alachua, Archer, Gainesville, Hawthorne, High Springs, La Crosse, Micanopy, Newberry, and Waldo.

Levy County includes the cities and towns of Bronson, Cedar Key, Chiefland, Fanning Springs, Inglis, Morriston, Rosewood, Otter Creek, Williston, and Yankeetown.

Baker County includes the cities and towns of Baxter, Cuyler, Glen Saint Mary, Macclenny, Macedonia, Margeretta, Sanderson, and Taylor.

Nassau County includes the cities and towns of Amelia Island, Bryceville, Callahan, Fernandina Beach, and Hilliard.

Duval County includes the cities and towns of Atlantic Beach, Baldwin, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Mayport, and Neptune Beach.

Clay County includes the cities and towns of Bellair, Green Cove Springs, Keystone Heights, Middleburg, Orange Park, and Penney Farms.

St Johns County includes the cities and towns of Crescent Beach, Fort Matanzas, Fruit Cove, Hastings, Marineland, Palm Valley, Ponte Vedra, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, Switzerland, and Vilano Beach.

Putnam County includes the cities and towns of Crescent City, East Palatka, Florahome, Fruitland, Georgetown, Hollister, Interlachen, Lake Como, Melrose, Palatka, Pomona Park, San Mateo, Satsuma, and Welaka.

Flagler County includes the cities and towns of Beverly Beach, Bunnell, Flagler Beach, Marineland, and Palm Coast.

Escambia County includes the cities and towns of Bellview, Brent, Brownsville, Century, Cantonment, Ensley, Gonzalez, Molino, Muscogee, Myrtle Grove, Pensacola, Perdido Key, Warrington, and West Pensecola.

Santa Rosa County includes the cities and towns of Avalon Beach, Bagdad, Gulf Breeze, Jay, Milton, Munson, Navarre, and Pace.

Okaloosa County includes the cities and towns of Baker, Cinco Bayou, Crestview, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Laurel Hill, Mary Esther, Niceville, Shalimar, and Valparaiso.

Walton County includes the cities and towns of DeFuniak Springs, Freeport, Miramar Beach, Paxton, Point Washington, Redbay, and Santa Rosa Beach.

Holmes County includes the cities and towns of Bonifay, Esto, Noma, Ponce De Leon, and Westville.

Washington County includes the cities and towns of Caryville, Chipley, Ebro, Greenhead, New Hope, Sunny Hills, Vernon, and Wausau.

Bay County includes the cities and towns of Bayou George, Bear Creek, Callaway, Cedar Grove, Fountain, Hiland Park, Laguna Beach, Lynn Haven, Mexico Beach, Millville, Panama City, Panama City Beach, Parker, Rosemary Beach, Sand Hills, Sandy Creek, Southport, Springfield, West Bay, West Panama City Beach, and Youngstown.

Jackson County includes the cities and towns of Alford, Bascom, Campbelltown, Cottondale, Graceville, Grand Ridge, Greenwood, Jacob City, Malone, Marianna, and Sneads.

Calhoun County includes the cities and towns of Altha and Blountstown.

Liberty County includes the town of Bristol.

Gulf County includes the cities and towns of Port St. Joe and Wewahitchka.

Franklin County includes the cities and towns of Alligator Point, Apalachicola, Carrabelle, and Eastpoint.

Martin County includes the cities and towns of Arundel, Indiantown, Hobe Sound, Jensen Beach, Jupiter Island, Ocean Breeze Park, Palm City, Sewall's Point, and Stuart.

Palm Beach County includes the cities and towns of Atlantis, Belle Glade, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Briny Breezes, Canal Point, Cloud Lake, Delray Beach, Glen Ridge, Golf, Greenacres, Gulf Stream, Haverhill, Highland Beach, Hypoluxo, Juno Beach, Jupiter, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Lake Clarke Shores, Lake Park, Lake Worth, Lantana, Loxahatchee, Manalapan, Mangonia Park, North Palm Beach, Ocean Ridge, Pahokee, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Shores, Palm Springs, Riviera Beach, Royal Palm Beach, Sandcut, South Bay, South Palm Beach, Tequesta, Wellington, and West Palm Beach.

Broward County includes the cities and towns of Coconut Creek, Cooper City, Coral Springs, Dania Beach, Davie, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Hollywood, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Lauderhill, Lazy Lake, Lighthouse Point, Margate, Miramar, North Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Parkland, Pembroke Park, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Pompano Beach, Port Everglades, Sea Ranch Lakes, Southwest Ranches, Sunrise, Tamarac, Weston, and Wilton Manors.

Miami-Dade County includes the cities and towns of Aventura, Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Biscayne Park, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Doral, El Portal, Florida (FL) City, Golden Beach, Goulds, Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Homestead, Indian Village, Islandia, Kendall, Key Biscayne, Leisure City, Medley, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, Miami Lakes, Miami Shores Village, Miami Springs, North Bay Village, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Opa-Locka, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Pinewood, Princeton, Richmond Heights, South Miami, Sunny Isles Beach, Surfside, Sweetwater, Virginia Gardens, West Miami, Westchester, Westwood Lake 5. Monroe - Big Pine, Islamorada, Key Colony Beach, Key Largo, Key West, Layton, Marathon, Sugarloaf Key, and Tavernier.

Charlotte County includes the cities and towns of Cleveland, Grove City, Palm Island, Placida, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Rotonda, and Solana.

Glades County includes the cities and towns of Buckeye Ridge, Ortona, Palmdale, Lakeport, and Moore Haven.

Lee County includes the cities and towns of Alva, Boca Grande, Bokeelia, Bonita Springs, Captiva, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers Shores, Fort Myers Villas, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, Page Park, Pine Island Center, Punta Rassa, Sanibel, San Carlos Park, St. James City, Tice, and Waterway Estates.

Hendry County includes the cities and towns of Clewiston, Harlem, and La Belle.

Collier County includes the cities and towns of Ave Maria, East Naples, Everglades City, Golden Gate, Immokalee, Marco, Naples, Naples Manor, Naples Park, North Naples, Ochopee, and Palm River Estates.

The Law Firm of Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is made up of a team of experienced personal injury attorneys and investigators that understand the complexities of a truck accidental injury case and that can use those complexities to your advantage.

Although there are many truck accident injury lawyers in North Carolina (NC) and South Carolina (SC), very few have the specific knowledge and courtroom expertise that we pride ourselves on. We have a winning record and solid relationships with multiple experts who have studied such accidents and their injuries for decades. Don't take a risk on just any law firm or just any attorney - be confident with your choice of a law firm that has consistent proven results.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an accident involving a commercial truck, 18-wheeler, or tractor trailer, contact our offices today for a free legal consultation today.

Truck Accident Resource Websites

American Trucking Associations
The ATA represents the trucking industry on a national scale. Their website includes a list of safety hot topics, safety publications, safety statistics, and safety committees.

Truck Safety Coalition
This is a coalition between the Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways (CRASH) Foundation and Parents Against Tired truckers (PATT). It offers truck safety issues, facts and figures, the latest news, and a related newsletter.

Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
CVSA is a not-for-profit organization that promotes commercial truck safety and security. Their website shares news, events, committees, and members information as well as tips and advice on how truck drivers can reduce accident rates.

Institute of Drive Behavior
This site is a collection of safety videos for truck drivers - both new and experienced - aimed at reducing and preventing accidents.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The NHTSA is a government-run website that offers the public the latest news, research, and safety advice in relation to car and truck accident prevention.

FMCSA's Share the Road Safely Program
This website is run by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and strives to minimize the number of car and truck crashes through educating all drivers and, in the case of accidents that do happen, to minimize the consequences of such collisions.

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
Since 1947, this non-profit organization has funded over 170 research projects designed to discover the causes of traffic accidents. The website includes traffic safety news, research results, and much more.

US Department of Transportation
The website itself will inform the reader of the latest news, research, tips, programs, and statistics generated by the government agency.

National Safety Council
This is the nation's leading resource on the development of strategies for advancing safety programs and practices. Their website offers statistics, tips, advice, news, and information related to car and truck accidents.

Insurance Information Institute
This website answers many frequently asked questions concerning car and truck crashes. Learn about choosing the right insurance coverage, filing a claim, and how the entire insurance process works.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety & Highway Loss Data Institute
While IIHS conducts research into the three factors in motor vehicle crashes (humans, their vehicles, and the environment), HLDI publishes insurance loss statistics on cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycle models common in the United States.

American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
The website includes a knowledge center, news outlet, and training opportunities.

FMCSA Analysis and Information Online
This website is a vital resource for those seeking track accident statistics.

Learn More About Car and Truck Accidents in Georgia (GA)
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