Pasco County, FL — Tractor-Trailer Accident Leaves Mother Dead, 3 Daughters Injured

Pasco County, FL (September 11th, 2024) – A 38-year-old mother died in a tractor-trailer accident in Pasco County this week.

While making a left-hand turn at the intersection of SR-52 and Prospect Road, the woman’s vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer. Her three daughters, ages 13-, 14-, and 16-years-old, were also in the car at the time of the wreck. They were taken to a local hospital with serious injuries.

Common Causes of Trucking Accidents in Florida

There were more than 47,000 reported commercial vehicle accidents in 2022, many of which resulted in serious injuries or death. Such collisions may be caused by any number of factors. Some of the most common causes of trucking accidents include:

Impairment

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a common factor in trucking accidents. The effects of drugs or alcohol can cause impairments, such as slowed reaction, loosened judgment, and decreased coordination, that may affect truck drivers’ ability to safely operate their vehicles. In such cases, the trucker, or the trucking company if they knew of the impairment, may be held liable for any resulting damages.

Fatigue

Long hours on the road, working overnight, and other factors can lead to driver fatigue. Motorists who are overly tired may experience impairments akin to those of having consumed too much alcohol or used drugs. Therefore, the driver can be held responsible for violating service hour limits, as can trucking companies if they require a drier to work excessive hours of rail to implement adequate rest breaks.

Distraction

Everyday activities, including using a cell phone, eating, or changing the radio station, can distract drivers. Taking one’s attention off traffic, eyes off the road, or hands off the wheel may increase the risk of accidents, as it can delay drivers’ responses to hazards or emergency situations on the road. 

Vehicle Maintenance Issues

Vehicle maintenance issues can play a role in tractor-trailer accidents. For example, brakes going out or tire blowouts may occur on the road, causing truckers to lose control of their vehicles. Trucking companies have a responsibility to ensure their vehicles are properly maintained. Therefore, if not regularly maintained and a crash occurs as a result, the trucking company may be held financially responsible with the help of a car accident lawyer.

Improper Loading

The loads transported by commercial vehicles are often large, sometimes unbalanced, and may shift during transit. As such, improper loading can contribute to throwing these large trucks off balance, and may increase the risk of accidents. For instance, this may include overloading trucks with too much weight, improperly securing cargo, and not ensuring the load is balanced. 

Adverse Weather Conditions

Rain, snow, fog, and other adverse weather can make driving conditions hazardous. While adverse weather may contribute to accidents, the trucker and trucking company may still be liable if they failed to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Truck accidents can result in a wide range of injuries due to the sheer size and weight of the vehicle involved. Some of the most common truck accident injuries include:

Head and Neck Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries, ranging from mild concussions to severe brain damage, can result from truck accidents. So too can whiplash and other cervical spine injuries. 

Spinal Cord Injuries

The impact and force of truck accidents commonly causes spinal cord injuries. Some may experience spinal cord bruises, which cause temporary or permanent nerve damage. Others may suffer partial or complete paralysis because of such trauma.

Orthopedic Injuries

Orthopedic injuries, including broken bones and soft tissue injuries, are common outcomes of crashes involving tractor-trailers and smaller cars and trucks. In severe cases, victims of such accidents may require amputation of a digit or limb.

Internal Injuries

Not all injuries resulting from commercial vehicle accidents are immediately noticeable or identified. Internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding, commonly result from the impact of trucking accidents.

Recovering Damages for Truck Accidents

When a truck accident causes serious injuries or loss of life, those harmed may be entitled to seek damages for their associated losses. While the specific damages will vary depending on the specifics of each case, some common categories include:

• Economic Damages – including past and future costs of medical treatment and care, and current and future earnings lost due to the injury or resulting disability
• Non-Economic Damages – including less easily quantified losses, such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.

Tractor-trailer accidents can have lasting physical, emotional, and financial effects. If you were injured in a wreck with a semi-truck, contact our commercial vehicle accident lawyers at Magazine & Light Law Group today. Board-certified in personal injury law, our attorney, Jim Magazine, has recovered millions of dollars for clients like you. Call 727-499-9900 for a free, no obligation consultation.

Jim Magazine

James (Jim) Magazine is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer who has spent his career helping injured victims. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and is also admitted to practice at the Appellate level and admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Years of Experience: More than 30 years
Florida Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions:
Clearwater Bar Association
West Pasco Bar Association