Wrong-Way Tractor-Trailer Crash In St. Lucie County Kills 1

In late November 2024, a man from Melbourne died in a one-way crash with a “semi tractor-trailer car carrier” on a side road near the Florida Turnpike in St. Lucie County. According to Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the man was driving his sedan on the road, without headlights, when it drifted over into the eastbound lanes, where it crashed head-on into the tractor-trailer. The sedan driver was pronounced dead at the scene. This type of crash opens questions of liability for those left behind.

More Likely To Cause Injuries & Deaths

Tractor-trailer accidents are unfortunately more likely to cause injury or death than crashes between two passenger cars, simply because a tractor-trailer weighs so much more and takes so much longer to stop. Even in optimal conditions, a tractor-trailer crash can cause serious injuries or death just because of the force behind the impact. Because of this, it can be difficult in a case for negligence of wrongful death to definitively establish liability.

In general, Florida’s personal injury law requires four things to be established in order to establish liability for the defendant: the existence of a duty of care, a breach of that duty, actual injury to the plaintiff, and a showing that the injuries would not have happened but for the defendant’s actions. While a duty of care is held to exist between all road users, an injured plaintiff has to show that they were injured as a direct result of the defendant’s actions, which were a breach of duty.

Beware Comparative Fault

In the St. Lucie County accident, it does not appear, as of this writing, that the tractor-trailer driver engaged in any kind of negligent conduct, with the Melbourne man’s drift into the eastbound lanes appearing to be the primary cause of the accident. However, most accidents are not nearly so cut and dried, and understanding the requirements to establish liability is crucial, particularly if your injuries are severe. It may even be possible in some cases to hold the tractor-trailer driver’s employer accountable.

Had he lived, it is worth noting that the Melbourne man would likely be found to have been mostly responsible for his own injuries, triggering a concept known as comparative fault. Florida’s comparative fault law states that if a person is found to be more than 50 percent at fault for their own injuries, they cannot recover any money damages. If a plaintiff is ruled to be less than 50 percent responsible, they can still recover, but only up to that point.

Contact A Tampa Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorney

While no legal action appears to be coming out of the St. Lucie County accident, a similar case may wind up in court one day. If you or a loved one have been in this situation, you need a knowledgeable Tampa tractor-trailer accident attorney from the Rinaldo Law Group to help guide you through the legal process. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation.

Source:

msn.com/en-us/news/crime/melbourne-man-dead-after-crash-on-okeechobee-road-in-st-lucie-county/ar-AA1uveXS