Wesley Chapel Truck Accident Attorney :: I-75 Dump Truck Collision Kills Man, Seriously Injures Toddler

The driver of a dump truck pulled into speeding traffic on I-75 Tuesday morning, causing a collision that killed a Wesley Chapel man , critically injured his wife and seriously injured his granddaughter.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 50-year-old driver of the dump truck was heading south in a construction zone on I-75 when he pulled the truck into the traffic lanes from the work zone directly in front of the deceased man’s Hyundai.

The sedan rammed into the back of the dump truck near the S.R. 56 exit.

The man, his wife and their 3-year-old granddaughter were airlifted to St. Joseph’s Hospital. The 61-year-old died from his injuries. His 59-year-old wife is currently in critical condition while the toddler remains in serious condition.

The driver of the pickup truck suffered no injuries.

Charges are pending against the man, according to troopers.

Commercial trucks, like dump trucks and semi-trailers, are dangerous vehicles that can cause serious injuries and even death should a traffic accident arise. The sheer size and weight these trucks carry makes it extremely difficult for drivers to stop which can only increase the damages of their impact when a collision occurs. According to recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, in 2010, 3,675 people were killed and 80,000 more were injured in large truck crashes across the United States. A total of 276,000 accidents occurred in 2010 involving large trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds. Sadly, 76 percent of those killed in large truck accidents were passengers in the other vehicles.

Dump truck accidents cause significant injuries and even wrongful death every year. These accidents often leave the driver of the truck unscathed, but cause catastrophic injuries or death to other motorists, passengers and pedestrians. While many of these accidents are the result of truck driver negligence, there are actually multiple parties that can be held legally responsible for a dump truck collision, including:

• The owner of the truck
• The driver of the truck
• The truck driver’s employer
• The manufacturer of the truck A third-party maintenance company

If you have been injured or lost someone close to you in an accident involving a large truck in Wesley Chapel or the surrounding area, a Pasco County Truck Accident Attorney at Whittel & Melton can help. Our injury attorneys represent men, women and children involved in serious trucking accidents, including accidents with 18-wheelers, tractor trailers and dump trucks. Truck accidents can be expensive and often involve large companies, so it is very important to have an advocate on your side looking out for your best interests. We urge anyone who was injured or lost a loved one in an accident caused by a large truck to contact us today online or call 727-847-2299. We handle all truck accident injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will pay no out of pocket fees until we recover a successful settlement on your behalf.