Jacksonville Truck Hit and Run Attorneys
Hit And Run Truck Accidents
More than 8 million large trucks are on the road in the U.S. Large trucks, or tractor-trailers, can weight anywhere from 10,000 to 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, according to federal standards.
In a collision with a vehicle of that size, it is a virtual certainty that the motorist, pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist will suffer the bulk of the injuries.
In 2008, there were more than 4,000 people killed in accidents involving large trucks.
Unfortunately, many of those truck drivers did not stay at the accident scene to render aid, as they are required to do by law.
Hit-and-run accidents are rampant in our area. Although it is Florida's seventh-largest county, Duval followed only Miami-Dade and Broward counties with the third most hit-and-runs in 2008, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
It is imperative that the driver of a large truck stay to render aid to an accident victim who may be suffering internal bleeding, head trauma, and spinal cord injury. Not only is it the ethical thing to do, but it is the law.
In Florida, if a large truck driver leaves the scene of a collision with another truck or vehicle, he will be charged with a first-degree felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison. When a motorist is injured in a collision with a large truck, it is also a felony for a truck driver to leave the scene of an accident.
It is a misdemeanor if a truck driver leaves the scene of an accident when there are no injuries.
A hit-and-run truck driver may flee the scene because he fears the police; he may not be licensed; he may be in the country illegally; the driver may have outstanding tickets, or lack insurance coverage.
In our state in 2008, there were 269 fatal crashes involving large trucks. How many of these fatalities resulted from a hit-and-run truck driver?
If a large truck hits your car what should you do?
It is not advised that you pursue the hit-and-run driver in your own vehicle if you have just been hit. Your car may be more damaged than you think. You may be more injured than you believe.
Since most people carry a cell phone, you can take a picture of the truck. If you are able, write down the license number and confirm the state of origin.
If there are any witnesses to the Florida truck hit-and run, you will want to get their statements on paper and all of their phone numbers. This is information that police investigators will need to conduct their case against the at-fault driver. The more accurate information you can forward to police, the better the chance of catching the driver and compensating you for your damages.
You will want to contact police to get your case on the record, and it would be well-advised to contact an experienced Florida truck accident attorney to improve your chances of taking a successful case to court.