Food Truck Accidents

Food trucks have gained popularity over the past few years, as many aspiring restauranteurs find this outlet a more affordable way to launch a business compared to traditional brick-and-mortar stores. However, with the rise in food trucks’ popularity, the risk of accidents involving them has risen as well. Because operators’ focus is often on food and not necessarily truck operation, serious food truck accidents can occur, and can lead to significant injuries. Additionally, the structure of a kitchen-on-wheels can pose its own unique dangers. If you’ve been injured in a collision involving a food truck, you may have a legal claim against its owner or operator, depending on the circumstances. Miami truck accident lawyer Robert Dixon of the Law Offices of Robert Dixon assists victims in legal actions in seeking compensation from those liable for their harm. Our firm offers seasoned representation and guidance for victims throughout South Florida, including in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. If you’ve been hurt or a loved one has been killed as a result of a food truck accident, please contact our office today to find out more about your legal rights and options.

Although there are certain regulations regarding the food and permitting aspects of operating a food truck, there are no requirements placed on food truck drivers, allowing almost any licensed driver to handle these large vehicles. In that respect, the potential for serious accidents involving food trucks can be higher than other trucks or compact vehicles. Some common causes contributing to a food truck accident include:

• Limited Maneuverability: Food trucks are much heavier than standard-sized vehicles, as well as much bigger. This additional weight affects braking time, while the size and structure of a truck has additional blind spots that drivers are not used to.
• Inexperienced Drivers/Lack of Training: Most food truck employees are hired due to their cooking skills, not driving abilities. Therefore, those who get behind the wheel often lack the experience of driving such a large truck, which can lead to significant accidents.
• Risk of Fire: Food trucks rely on propane tanks to operate their cooking surfaces. Time spent on the road can shift these tanks or weaken connections, leading to leaks or fire hazards, and increasing the risk of a fire if there is a collision. These trucks may also carry more flammable products used in cooking, which also may lead to burns or fires in the event of an accident.
• Driver Fatigue: Because many food truck employees spend hours preparing and cooking food before service even starts, they may already be tired once they start driving the truck to its location, increasing the probability of a collision.

In addition to those factors above, food truck accidents may also result from inadequate maintenance of the vehicle, as well as drivers making sudden stops or turns when trying to find their destinations, often in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.

If a food truck driver’s negligent actions lead to injury, or even death, victims may pursue a personal injury or wrongful death suit against those liable for their harm. Negligence occurs when one party breaches his or her duty to another to act as a reasonable and prudent person would under the same or similar circumstances. Food truck drivers, as well as all other drivers, owe those around them a duty to operate their vehicles in a reasonable manner. This includes making sure they know their vehicle’s blind spots, checking them appropriately, and driving at safe speeds. When a driver fails to engage in these reasonable measures and causes injury or a fatality, they may be found negligent.

Food truck owners may also be held vicariously liable for the negligent actions of their employees if an employee was acting under the scope of employment at the time they caused a food truck accident. Since food trucks are sometimes stationary, and for example, operate out of a parking lot, there have been questions of whether premises liability claims can be pursued related to food truck accidents occurring on someone else’s property. If you’ve been injured in a collision involving a food truck, it is important to contact a knowledgeable attorney who can help you explore your legal options. Parties responsible for injuries may be required to compensate victims for past and future medical expenses, loss of income, diminished earning capacity, or pain and suffering.

Being involved in a food truck accident can lead to serious injuries such as broken bones, lacerations, burns, or even death. Recovery efforts should be a victim’s first priority, however, contacting an attorney who can help protect your legal rights is also important to make sure you pursue financial assistance to cover the costs of that recovery. Injury attorney Robert Dixon is dedicated to making sure victims receive the support they need in the aftermath of a serious truck accident. If you have questions regarding your legal options following a food truck accident, please call the Law Offices of Robert Dixon at 877.499.4878 or contact us online today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your potential claims. We are available to serve clients in Miami, and West Palm Beach.