A Florida truck driver purportedly dozed off momentarily while operating a semi-truck and slammed into two vehicles on the side of the road on I-4. In the HORRIFYING DASHCAM VIDEO shared by News4Jax, the truck's driver, Cecil Brown, appears to have fallen asleep before colliding with two parked vehicles on the shoulder of Interstate-4 near Tampa, Florida.
The two drivers who Cecil Brown hit had stopped to fix a flat tire and were on the shoulder of the interstate. According to sources, the impact left one person trapped against a concrete wall behind one of the vehicles. When the Florida State Troopers arrived at the scene, Brown told them that his tires caused the accident. He said that the front right tire blew out, causing his truck to dip forward and steer the rig into the unsuspecting drivers and their parked cars.
However, the dashcam footage shows otherwise. Upon viewing the dashcam footage, Florida State Troopers later concluded that Brown's version of the accident did not add up.
Regardless of the inconsistencies in the story, one of the victims is not waiting for Brown to clarify the details of how he fell asleep and crashed into the parked vehicles. Instead, the victim has engaged a Florida truck accident attorney to assist him in obtaining compensation for his injuries and other losses. The victim's lawyer asserts, “The video speaks for itself. You have a driver that’s falling asleep in the middle of the day.”
YouTube Video Comments Suggest a More Sinister Reality …
When you read the comments under the News4Jax video of the driver falling asleep, the hair on your neck may stand up. Apparently, this type of insanity is more common than one might presume, especially in light of recent issues with our supply chain. For example, read the comment from a purported former truck driver with the YouTube handle, “John Sheridan.”
I retired from being a trucker and now that I can freely speak without fear of losing my job, these companies push those drivers so hard and try to milk all they can out of them. They claim safety but a lot of it has been basically for the cameras and records to keep them from getting sued. Oh, you can claim safety reasons why you underperform in terms of "on-time performance" but if you miss load deadlines or get in too late with say a high-value load they will simply let you go or if you own your truck, pass you over. That's a massive reason why I think a lot of drivers in the past carried 2 log books. One job I had, I did pull over and when I got back to the terminal I got my butt chewed! I am so glad I am retired. Safety standards are getting better but with the supply chain breaking down like it is, I feel this will spell even more trouble as companies struggle. If I were back to being in my 20's again I would find a different occupation because as a driver I had NO home time or real quality of life and now realize I can't get that back. Thank GOD I don't have to worry about any of the craziness anymore!
What to Do After a Truck Accident Involving a Fatigued Driver?
After a truck accident involving a fatigued driver, it is crucial to take appropriate steps to protect your rights and ensure your safety. Here are some steps to follow in such a situation:
- Prioritize safety: Check for injuries to yourself and any passengers in your vehicle. If it's safe to do so, move your vehicle to a secure location away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights and set up warning triangles or flares, if available. Overall, just get out of harm’s way.
- Call emergency services: Dial 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance if necessary. Even if injuries seem minor, it's essential to have a medical professional evaluate them, as some symptoms may not be immediately apparent. So, if you see somebody who looks hurt, call 911, even if they try to act tough. Brain bleeding or internal bleeding can kill, and people often don’t know how bad they’re hurt.
- Document the scene: Take photos of the accident scene, including the vehicles involved, skid marks, road conditions, and any other relevant details. If possible, gather contact information from witnesses and obtain their accounts of the incident. Stories tend to change over time, but pictures don’t.
- Exchange information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the truck driver and any other parties involved in the accident. Be sure to note the truck driver's license number, the trucking company's name, and any identifying details about the truck.
- Report the accident: Notify your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. Provide accurate details, but you should avoid speculating about the cause of the accident. These people aren’t trying to help you. They work for a insurance company after all. They’re not your wonderful neighbor, and they’re usually only there for you and have you in your hands and all that while you’re paying your premiums and not making any claims.
- Consult an attorney: Reach out to an experienced truck accident attorney to discuss your case. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and options, as well as guide you through the process of seeking compensation for your injuries and damages.
- Keep records: Maintain thorough records of medical treatment, expenses, and any communication with insurance companies or other parties involved in the accident. This documentation could be crucial when building your case if the insurance company refuses to pay you a reasonable amount of money for your loss.
- Follow medical advice: Adhere to your doctor's recommendations for treatment and recovery. Failing to do so may negatively impact your health and your injury claim.
- Don’t air out your issues on social media: Avoid discussing the accident or posting photos on social media. Assume that the insurance adjusters and defense attorneys are reading everything you post. Don’t make yourself look crazy. They’ll use your posts to make the jury think you don’t deserve anything.
- Stay patient: The process of pursuing compensation after a truck accident can be lengthy and complex. Be prepared to remain patient and rely on your attorney's guidance throughout the process.
By following these steps after a truck accident involving a fatigued driver, you can help protect your rights and improve your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.
Do You Need to Speak to an Orlando Semi Truck Accident Attorney?
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in an accident involving a semi-truck, 18-wheeler, tractor trailer, or any other commercial vehicle, you should speak with a skilled, experienced, and aggressive Florida truck accident lawyer as soon as possible because you may be entitled to compensation. Please don’t hesitate to contact us on our website, or you can call our Orlando, Florida personal injury law firm today at (321) 352-7588 to schedule your free consultation by phone. When you schedule a consultation at our law firm, you will get a consultation with a truck accident lawyer, not a customer service representative or intake person.
If you need a South Carolina personal injury lawyer, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (843) 638-6590. We have at least one lawyer licensed in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. So, if you’ve been injured in the Southeast, we may be able to help you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
For more information on truck accidents, you can download our free e-book: 10 BIG Questions You Need Answered After a Truck Accident.
Disclaimer: Nothing in this article is meant to be a guarantee of results. Past case results do not guarantee future case results. Each case is unique. The information in this article has been gathered from various sources on Google. Thus, we cannot guarantee there are no inaccuracies herein. We can and will correct or remove this post upon request. You can email us at [email protected]. Finally, the information contained in this article is not meant to be legal advice in any way. If you have legal questions, you should contact an attorney.
