Sharing the road with commercial trucks is part of everyday life in West Palm Beach. Whether you’re commuting along I-95, navigating Okeechobee Boulevard, or passing through busy warehouse corridors near the Port of Palm Beach, medium and heavy trucks are constantly on the move. While most truck drivers operate safely, it only takes one negligent trucking company or careless driver to change a life in an instant.
If you’ve recently searched for a “truck accident lawyer near me”, you’re likely dealing with the overwhelming aftermath of a crash. Between medical appointments, lost wages, insurance calls, and physical pain, the path forward can feel unclear. At Brooks Law Group, we help injured Floridians understand their rights and pursue fair compensation when a negligent truck driver or trucking company is responsible for their injuries.
Below, we’ll break down how driver negligence contributes to truck accidents in our community and what makes these crashes so dangerous. Read on to discover why working with a truck accident lawyer West Palm Beach residents trust can make all the difference.
Why Negligence Plays a Major Role in Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks are significantly larger and heavier than passenger vehicles. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which means even a small mistake can have catastrophic consequences. When a truck driver loses control, overcorrects, follows too closely, or becomes distracted, everyone sharing the roadway is at risk.
Some of the most common negligent behaviors seen in truck accidents include:
1. Distracted Driving
Truck drivers spend long, monotonous hours behind the wheel. Cell phones, navigation systems, radios, and even eating or drinking can easily divert attention. A few seconds with eyes off the road is all it takes to cause a collision.
2. Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Because of their size, trucks require more time and distance to stop. When a driver speeds or tailgates in heavy West Palm Beach traffic, they drastically increase the odds of a rear-end crash or multi-vehicle pileup.
3. Driver Fatigue
Federal Hours of Service regulations exist to prevent fatigue, but they are not always followed. Pressure to meet delivery deadlines can push drivers to skip rest breaks, creating a dangerous situation for anyone traveling nearby.
4. Improperly Loaded or Unsecured Cargo
When freight shifts, spills, or falls from a truck, it can cause multiple accidents. Loose debris can strike another car, and spilled cargo may force drivers to swerve into other lanes or lose control. In some cases, trucking companies are responsible for failing to train workers or follow required loading procedures.
5. Poor Vehicle Maintenance
Tire blowouts, brake failure, steering issues, and faulty lights are major causes of truck wrecks. Trucking companies are required to inspect and maintain their vehicles, but negligent companies may cut corners to save money.
Each of these forms of negligence puts West Palm Beach drivers at risk every day—during commuting hours, late at night, and even in broad daylight.
Why Truck Accidents Are Often More Severe
The sheer size and height of commercial trucks make them uniquely dangerous to drivers in smaller vehicles. During a collision, the point of impact is often aligned with the upper portion of a passenger car, increasing the risk of head and neck trauma—even at lower speeds.
Additional dangers include:
Rollover Collisions
When a truck tips or rolls, it can crush nearby vehicles or block multiple lanes of traffic. Rollovers are among the most deadly types of truck accidents.
Falling or Ejected Cargo
Materials that fall from a flatbed, trailer, or tanker can cause secondary accidents if drivers swerve to avoid debris or if the cargo directly impacts their vehicle.
Jackknife Crashes
When a truck’s trailer swings out across the roadway, it can sweep through traffic like a moving barrier.
Underride Accidents
These occur when a smaller vehicle becomes trapped beneath a truck’s trailer—a scenario that often results in catastrophic or fatal injuries.
Understanding what caused the accident—and identifying every liable party—requires a thorough investigation. That’s where working with a West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer becomes essential.
How a Truck Accident Lawyer Helps Protect Your Rights
Truck accident cases are significantly more complex than standard car accident claims. Multiple parties may be responsible, including the driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, maintenance contractors, or even the manufacturer of the truck or its parts.
At Brooks Law Group, our skilled attorneys can help by:
- Investigating the crash and collecting crucial evidence such as logbooks, black box data, maintenance records, and witness statements
- Identifying all sources of liability, which can increase the total compensation available
- Handling communication with insurers, who often try to minimize payouts in serious truck accident claims
- Calculating the full value of your damages, including medical bills, future treatment, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering
- Representing you in negotiations or in court, ensuring your rights are protected every step of the way
If you’re searching for a “truck accident lawyer near me” and you live in West Palm Beach, look to Brooks Law Group for attorneys with experience taking on large trucking companies and their insurance carriers.
Injured in a Truck Accident in West Palm Beach? Look to Brooks!
If a negligent truck driver or trucking company caused your injuries, you don’t have to face the recovery process alone. Experienced truck accident lawyers whom West Palm Beach residents trust can help you pursue the compensation you deserve and hold the responsible parties accountable.
At Brooks Law Group, we understand how overwhelming this time can be. Our legal team is here to guide you, answer your questions, and fight for your best possible outcome—so you can focus on healing.
Contact our office today for a free, no-obligation consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case thanks to our contingency fee. You’re not alone in the aftermath of a crash. You can always Look to Brooks.
