Truck Accident

Fatal Trucking Crash Strucked Multiple Times on Florida’s Turnpike

Published on: February 10, 2022 | By The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson, P.A.

On Sunday February 6, 2022, on the side of Florida’s Turnpike in St. Lucie County, a tow truck driver was struck and murdered. The tow truck driver, a 57-year-old Miami male, was standing next to the tow truck’s open driver’s side door in the southbound lane around mile marker 149 between the Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce exits at 12:06 a.m., according to Florida Highway Patrol. The open truck door and the man in the right lane were struck by a 20-year-old Deerfield Beach lady driving a sedan in the right lane. In the southbound lanes, the vehicle came to a controlled stop. While lying in the southbound lanes, the man was struck by three other vehicles. All three automobiles that collided with the man drove southbound on the Florida Turnpike without stopping. At the scene, the individual was pronounced dead. The incident is still being investigated. FHP is seeking for a possible maroon SUV, unknown manufacture or model, and a possible Mazda, unknown model, among the three other vehicles that hit the pedestrian, according to Lt. Yanko Reyes, an FHP spokesman. Anyone with information on the accident should call the Florida Highway Patrol at *347. The identities of the deceased guy and the sedan driver were not released by the Florida Highway Patrol. The agency has stopped releasing the names of persons killed or injured in incidents investigated by troopers, as well as the names of other people involved in the crashes. In April 2020, the agency reported the adjustment.

Speak with an experienced Miami Car Accident Attorney today!

Car accidents can result in significant injuries, and the amount of no-fault coverage required by Florida may be insufficient to cover your injuries. You may be able to get compensation for your medical costs, property damage, and pain and suffering if you file a personal injury claim. Are you still dealing with the financial impact of your accident? As a result, any damage, stress, or financial crisis caused by an accident must be addressed seriously and handled by skilled legal counsel.

Most Dangerous Jobs in Florida

Published on: December 15, 2021 | By The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson, P.A.

Any worker is at risk of getting hurt at work, some are more at risk than others. Some of the major events in which an injury can occur are violence and other injuries by persons or animals, transportation incidents, fires, and explosions, falls, slips, trips, exposure to harmful substances or environments, or contact with objects and equipment.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (2019), the following are considered the top five most dangerous jobs in Florida:

Construction and extraction occupations

Are Trucks More Dangerous than Cars?

Published on: November 14, 2013 | By The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson, P.A.

Automobiles today are the safest and easiest to drive they have ever been, with traffic fatalities in the U.S. dropping every year. This is great news, but trucks are still being found to be less safe than cars.

Trucks (including SUVs) are bigger and heavier than cars. They also sit higher up than cars, and are usually more powerful. These aspects of trucks make their drivers feel more confident and secure while driving, but they also make them much more dangerous than smaller vehicles, and the results can be devastating when they are involved in an accident.

Each year, about 4,000 people are killed in large truck crashes, with 100,000 injured. Most of these are occupants in other cars in 2011, 72% of deaths from large truck accidents were people riding in other vehicles. 11% were non-occupants of vehicles, while 17% were occupants of trucks. The estimated yearly cost of all accidents involving commercial vehicles, most of which are trucks, is over $83 billion.

Trucks represent an immense amount of power when in motion. Regulations require that tractor-trailers need to be able to stop in 310 feet when moving at 60 mph. This is quite a long distance (more than a football field), and in most cases it takes even longer because the driver has to see a reason to stop and react to it. It’s easy to see why these vehicles become so destructive when they get out of control.

Truck accidents, particularly with commercial trucks, are different than car accidents when it comes to the law, and a truck accident attorney is usually needed. Truck companies are responsible for the competence of their drivers as well as the safety of any trucks they have on the road. Driving records and logs as well as inspection reports all need to be examined.

Many truck accidents are the fault of the driver or company and can be prevented. Speeding is a particularly dangerous habit, and can be checked in court via the ‘black box’ recording device included in tractor-trailers.

Truck drivers often end up driving for many hours at a time, and fatigue is common. Log books are supposed to show how many hours a driver spent driving, how long they spent resting, etc. Trucks also carry heavy loads, and it is important to load trailers properly. Trailers with uneven loads can make the vehicle more difficult to handle and can increase the risk of tipping over.

Truck accidents are complex and different than car crashes and they need to be handled with care, by a professional truck accident lawyer.
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Miami Dade colleger student dies in truck accident

Published on: February 28, 2012 | By The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson, P.A.

Miami Dade college student Eric Steven Gonzalez suffered fatal injuries when his car met in an accident with a Waste Management truck. Investigators reveal his death occured on impact.

The Miami Herald reports that the 20 year old’s deceased body remained in the vehicle for hours before Miami Dade rescuers could remove him. The impact with the truck was so very severe.

This accident hits too close to home for The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson as Gonzalez’ aunt works within our office building. Our most sincere condolences go out to all of the family.

Injuries from truck accidents are often severe. Our office has handled cases for victims of injuries from commercial truck accidents. Commercial trucks are not only large, but very heavy in weight. It takes great skill and attention to operate these vehicles in a careful manner. The slightest mishap can have deadly results.
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Man in wheelchair killed in truck accident

Published on: March 29, 2011 | By The Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson, P.A.

According to a report by NBC Miami, on March 28, 2011 a man crossing the street in a wheelchair in the northwest part of Miami was struck by an 18 wheeler and killed in this truck accident.

The unidentified man in the wheelchair was crossing NW 27th Avenue heading west when the truck, hit and killed him. The truck was a vehicle carrier. There has been no determination of fault and no charges filed as the date of this article.
Our condolences go to the family of this victim.

Liability and Damages in Wrongful Death Truck Accident Cases

If an investigation reveals that this accident was due to the negligence of the driver of the tuck, then the family of the deceased may seek damages against in a wrongful death claim against the insurance carrier for the semi, the truck owner and/or the driver. Each surviving family member may be able to recover for loss of the deceased’s financial support or services. They may also recover for loss of the decedent’s companionship and protection. Additionally, they may seek recovery for pain and suffering and funeral and medical expenses .
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