Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
You’ve likely seen utility trucks around your Florida neighborhood. These vehicles deliver essential services, including fuel, communications services, and waste management services to your community. However, these trucks also cause serious accidents.
If you find yourself injured in a truck accident involving a utility truck, you should know that your claim is different than what you might expect from a car accident or other truck accident case (more on that below). Many drivers simply aren’t prepared for the complexity of a utility truck crash claim, which is why we invite you to contact Flaxman Law Group if you’re injured. Our father-son attorney team can explain the laws that could affect your claim and can discuss any potential ways to maximize financial recovery in your situation.
What Are Utility Truck Accidents?
Utility trucks come in all shapes and sizes, though they tend to be smaller than big rigs. They’re used by local governments, construction companies, electrical utilities, and companies offering gas, cable, and telephone services. These trucks can be used to repair utilities or to transport employees and equipment to work sites. Each type of utility truck comes with its own dangers on the road:
- Cable, telephone, and internet trucks. Employees who use these trucks often have to work at heights to access overhead cables and wires. This can create the risk of falls or can cause the truck to tip over if the truck isn’t secured correctly.
- Garbage and recycling trucks. These trucks are often in residential neighborhoods, around children, pedestrians, and passenger cars. They also make frequent stops and have large blind spots, which can lead to accidents.
- Electrical utility trucks. Employees in these trucks also work at heights and with the danger of electrical shock. These trucks tend to be larger and can block off traffic, which can lead to crashes.
- Lawn care trucks. These trucks can spill water and chemicals on the ground, which can lead to accidents.
- Gas company trucks. Trucks owned by gas companies carry a fuel that’s highly flammable. In the event of a crash, gas can catch on fire or explode, causing devastating damage.
- Street cleaning trucks. These trucks move very slowly and can block parts of lanes, which leads to reduced visibility for other drivers and the risk of crashes.
- Construction trucks. These can include bulldozers, backhoes, and cranes. Often, these trucks are top-heavy, which means they have a higher rollover risk.
What Makes Utility Truck Accidents Different?
Like all truck accidents, utility truck accidents can cause devastating injury because these are heavier vehicles. However, utility truck drivers are subject to fewer federal and state rules when compared with other commercial drivers. For instance, long-haul truck drivers are subject to Hours of Service regulations, meaning they need to take breaks regularly. They’re also subject to random testing. Utility truck drivers are not covered by these regulations, so it’s harder to claim liability if a utility truck driver caused your accident.
Utility trucks are also allowed virtually everywhere, including those spots where commercial trucks are not allowed. Utility trucks are allowed in neighborhoods, under underpasses, and in other locations. In the event of a crash, it’s harder to claim that a utility truck driver was breaking the rules, because there are simply fewer regulations for them to follow.
Despite this, there could still be several liable parties in your Hollywood utility truck accident case, including the driver, local government, or the company who owned the truck. To understand who is liable in your case and what options you might have for financial recovery, you can always call Flaxman Law Group at 866-352-9626 or contact us online. Our team can pair you with a Hollywood truck accident claims lawyer so you can discuss the specifics of your situation.