West Palm Beach truck driver, Steve Holland, had a long history of unsafe driving. Court records showed that the Florida driver was ticketed 5 different states between 2000 and 2014. While most of his citations were relatively minor, two of them were not. In 2003 and 2004, the Florida truck driver was cited for careless driving and speeding. Sadly, his history of unsafe driving led to a fiery Florida trucking crash on Interstate 75 near Gainesville that resulted in 7 fatalities.
According to police reports, Holland was driving north on Interstate 75 near Gainesville on Thursday, January 7, 2019 when his truck crashed into another vehicle. Both vehicles lost control and Holland’s truck struck a church van and a truck that were traveling in the southbound lane. The wreckage was quickly engulfed in flames and five children in the van were killed, as well as Holland and the other truck driver. The children ranged in ages from 9 to 14 and were traveling to Disney World from Louisiana. Eight others in the van were seriously injured and fighting for their lives, including a pregnant woman.
This was the worst accident on I-75 in Alachua County since January 2012. That year 11 people were killed in a chain reaction crash because of heavy fog on the roadway.
Florida Truck Accidents are Often Deadly
This accident is one of many fatal trucking accidents that occur in the state of Florida every year. Interstate 75 is a notoriously dangerous highway that traverses the entire state and is filled daily with semi-trucks carrying produce and goods across the state. In 2015, more than 400 people were injured in trucking accidents in Florida and 22 people lost their lives. These accidents were caused by a variety of reasons including:
- Truck driver fatigue
- Intoxicated driving
- Drugged driving
- Distracted driving
- Improper maintenance
- Improper loading of goods
- Trucking company maintenance
When a fatal trucking accident occurs, families of accident victims are often left to pick up the pieces on their own. Trucking companies often have large teams of insurance adjusters on their side to reduce their liabilities and protect their profits. As such, you need an experienced and skilled law firm on your side with the resources needed to tackle these large and complex cases – and win.
Contact our West Palm Beach Truck Accident Lawyers Today
If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident in Florida, it is important to understand the severity of your injuries and the uphill battle you could face collecting compensation. Our West Palm Beach truck accident attorneys believe that truck accident victims need aggressive legal representation from the start. That’s why we fight every step of the way to help our clients obtain the money they need to pay for medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
At Fetterman & Associates, our North Palm Beach truck accident lawyers hold negligent and reckless truck drivers and trucking companies responsible for the pain and suffering they have caused. Call us today at 561-845-2510 for a free initial consultation and review of your case. We can help you collect the money you need to put your life back together again. Call us today!
Additional Reading
Pros and Cons of Speed Limiters to Lower Truck Accidents in Florida