Daytona Beach Truck Accident Lawyer
Retired Traffic Homicide Investigator. Accident Reconstruction Expert. Trial Attorney.
Truck accidents are different.
When an 80,000-pound commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the consequences are often catastrophic.
Victims frequently suffer:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Multiple fractures
- Permanent disabilities
- Wrongful death
Unlike ordinary automobile collisions, truck accident cases often involve multiple parties, federal regulations, extensive electronic evidence, and aggressive corporate defense teams.
Within hours of a serious trucking collision, trucking companies and insurance carriers may deploy investigators, accident reconstruction experts, safety consultants, and attorneys to begin building their defense.
Accident victims deserve representation from someone who understands how these investigations work.
At the Law Offices of Patrick J. McGeehan, P.A., we represent victims injured in commercial truck accidents throughout Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Flagler County, and throughout Central Florida.
What makes our firm different is Patrick’s unique background.
Before becoming a lawyer, Patrick served as a traffic homicide investigator, accident reconstructionist, police instructor, and homicide detective. He spent years investigating serious injury and fatal crashes before entering private practice.
That experience provides valuable insight when investigating complex truck accident cases.
Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different
Most automobile accidents involve two drivers.
Truck accident cases frequently involve multiple parties.
Potentially responsible parties may include:
- Truck drivers
- Trucking companies
- Vehicle owners
- Maintenance providers
- Cargo loading companies
- Freight brokers
- Manufacturers
Determining liability often requires a detailed investigation of records, electronic evidence, company policies, and driver conduct.
These cases are significantly more complex than ordinary car accident claims.
The Serious Consequences Of Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks can weigh twenty to thirty times more than passenger vehicles.
As a result, truck collisions often produce devastating injuries.
Common injuries include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Head injuries can lead to:
- Memory problems
- Cognitive impairment
- Personality changes
- Permanent disability
Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to the spinal cord may result in:
- Paralysis
- Chronic pain
- Limited mobility
- Lifelong medical needs
Crush Injuries
Truck collisions frequently generate forces capable of causing catastrophic orthopedic injuries.
Internal Injuries
Internal bleeding and organ damage may require emergency surgery and long-term medical treatment.
Wrongful Death
Unfortunately, many truck accidents result in fatalities.
These tragedies often leave families facing emotional and financial challenges that can last for years.
Common Causes Of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents occur for many reasons.
Common contributing factors include:
Driver Fatigue
Fatigue remains one of the leading causes of commercial trucking collisions.
Long hours behind the wheel can significantly impair:
- Reaction times
- Judgment
- Awareness
- Decision making
Fatigued driving can be just as dangerous as impaired driving.
Distracted Driving
Truck drivers face many distractions, including:
- Cell phones
- GPS devices
- Dispatch communications
- Electronic logging systems
Even a few seconds of distraction can have devastating consequences.
Speeding
Large commercial vehicles require significantly greater stopping distances than passenger vehicles.
Excessive speed can dramatically increase both crash risk and injury severity.
Improper Lane Changes
Commercial trucks possess substantial blind spots.
Failure to properly check these areas before changing lanes can lead to serious collisions.
Inadequate Training
Trucking companies have a responsibility to ensure drivers are properly trained and qualified.
Inadequate training can contribute to preventable crashes.
Improper Maintenance
Mechanical failures may result from:
- Worn brakes
- Tire failures
- Steering defects
- Lighting issues
Proper maintenance is essential to safe truck operation.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
Commercial trucking companies are governed by extensive federal regulations.
These regulations address issues such as:
- Driver qualifications
- Hours of service
- Vehicle inspections
- Maintenance requirements
- Drug testing
- Alcohol testing
- Recordkeeping
Violations of these regulations often become important evidence in truck accident litigation.
Hours Of Service Violations
Federal regulations limit the amount of time commercial drivers may operate vehicles without rest.
These rules are designed to reduce fatigue-related crashes.
Unfortunately, violations still occur.
Evidence may reveal:
- Excessive driving hours
- Inadequate rest periods
- Logbook discrepancies
- Electronic logging violations
When violations contribute to a crash, they may become important evidence in establishing liability.
Truck Accident Investigation
Truck accident investigations often begin immediately.
Critical evidence can disappear within days.
Important evidence may include:
- Driver logs
- Electronic logging devices
- Maintenance records
- Inspection reports
- Employment files
- Drug testing records
- Dispatch records
- GPS data
Prompt investigation is often essential.
Black Box Evidence
Modern commercial trucks contain electronic control modules and event data recorders that may capture valuable information.
Depending upon the vehicle, available data may include:
- Vehicle speed
- Brake application
- Throttle position
- Engine performance
- Cruise control activity
- Driver inputs
This information frequently plays a major role in accident reconstruction.
Accident Reconstruction In Truck Accident Cases
Accident reconstruction is often critical in serious truck accident litigation.
Using physical evidence, vehicle data, engineering principles, and scene analysis, reconstruction can help answer important questions.
Examples include:
- How fast was the truck traveling?
- When did braking occur?
- Could the collision have been avoided?
- Did the driver have sufficient reaction time?
- Did mechanical issues contribute?
These issues frequently become central to liability disputes.
Most Lawyers Hire Reconstruction Experts
Patrick Was One.
Before becoming an attorney, Patrick spent years investigating serious and fatal crashes.
His experience includes:
- Traffic homicide investigations
- Accident reconstruction
- Vehicle examinations
- Scene analysis
- Witness interviews
- Court testimony
Most truck accident attorneys rely entirely upon outside experts to understand crash dynamics.
Patrick brings firsthand investigative experience to every case.
Common Trucking Company Defenses
Trucking companies and insurers frequently dispute liability.
Common defenses include:
Blaming Other Drivers
Trucking companies often argue that another driver caused or contributed to the collision.
Challenging Injuries
Insurance companies may dispute:
- Injury severity
- Treatment necessity
- Future medical care
Mechanical Failure Defenses
Some defendants attempt to shift blame to maintenance providers or manufacturers.
Comparative Negligence
Defendants may argue that the injured party shares responsibility for the collision.
A thorough investigation often reveals whether these defenses have merit.
Wrongful Death Truck Accident Cases
When a truck accident results in death, surviving family members may have the right to pursue compensation under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act.
These claims may involve:
- Loss of support
- Loss of companionship
- Funeral expenses
- Medical expenses
- Future economic losses
Establishing liability often requires extensive investigation and expert analysis.
Why Clients Choose Patrick J. McGeehan
Many attorneys handle truck accident cases.
Few have spent years investigating fatal crashes before becoming lawyers.
Patrick’s background includes experience as:
- Retired Traffic Homicide Investigator
- Accident Reconstructionist
- Court-Certified Expert Witness
- Police Instructor
- Trial Attorney
- Personal Injury Lawyer
This unique combination of investigative and legal experience provides valuable insight into how serious crashes occur and how liability is established.
Serving Daytona Beach, Volusia County, And Flagler County
Patrick represents truck accident victims throughout:
- Daytona Beach
- Port Orange
- Ormond Beach
- New Smyrna Beach
- DeLand
- Palm Coast
- Bunnell
- Flagler Beach
- Volusia County
- Flagler County
Whether the collision involves a tractor-trailer, delivery truck, dump truck, construction vehicle, box truck, or other commercial vehicle, every case receives careful investigation and personal attention.
Contact A Daytona Beach Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Trucking companies begin protecting themselves immediately after a serious collision.
You should too.
Evidence disappears.
Witnesses become difficult to locate.
Electronic data can be lost.
The sooner an investigation begins, the better the opportunity to preserve critical evidence.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial truck accident, contact the Law Offices of Patrick J. McGeehan, P.A. today.
As a retired traffic homicide investigator, accident reconstruction expert, and trial attorney, Patrick brings decades of crash investigation experience to every case and fights to obtain the compensation accident victims deserve.
Resources:
Leaving the Scene of an Accident With a Death
Fatal Crash Investigations in Florida