Reducing Truck Accidents in Florida

Reducing Truck Accidents in Florida

As I’ve previously written, truck accidents are more dangerous to other drivers than to the truck drivers themselves. In order to help reduce the number of these dangerous accidents that occur on our Florida roadways, I wanted to share some pointers for sharing the road with large trucks.

First, let’s cover why truck accidents happen. Then we’ll focus on reducing some of those causes.

Why Do Truck Accidents Happen?

If you’ve never driven a commercial vehicle, it may be difficult to understand how unwieldy they can be at times, especially when navigating tight corners and narrow roads. However, a lot of truck accidents are caused by the same things that cause regular passenger car accidents.

DRIVER MISTAKES

Unfortunately, most accidents are caused by driver mistakes. Distracted driving, aggressive driving, and driving under the influence are all common causes of car accidents that can be avoided. In addition, truck drivers driver for many hours at a time. They may become tired or fail to take breaks. This can inhibit reflexes or cause them to fall asleep at the wheel. Regulations are in place to ensure drivers aren’t behind the wheel too long and that they get adequate rest, however, more work can still be done to ensure they are well-rested and paying attention to the road.

MECHANICAL PROBLEMS

Just like cars, trucks can suffer from mechanical problems such as defective tires. Plus, trucks generally have more controls and systems that are likely to malfunction in cars. If a driver ignores a small problem in order to get a job done, he or she may make the problem worse and cause other systems to fail.

POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS

Visibility is greatly diminished during a thunderstorm and the time needed for a vehicle to safely stop is increased. For truck drivers who are maneuvering vehicles that are over 13 tons, driving during heavy rainfall can be especially difficult.

Driving Safely With Trucks

Here are some tips for more safely navigating around trucks and other large vehicles:

  • Steer clear of a truck’s blind spots. Make sure you can see a truck’s mirrors.
  • Never tailgate a truck. Not only can a driver not see you when you’re tailgating, but you may not be able to tell when he or she is decelerating.
  • Don’t cut off a truck—they may not have enough time to stop. Make sure you use your signal if you must merge in front of a truck and that you are moving faster than the truck so they don’t have to slow down suddenly.
  • Be patient. Trucks take longer to accelerate and to slow down. Lay off the horn if you’re stuck behind a slow moving vehicle. That may distract the driver.
  • Provide a wide berth on turns. You’ve likely seen the signs on the back of trucks warning about wide right turns. Make sure you aren’t in their path.

Consulting With a Tampa Truck Accident Attorney

If you’ve been involved in an accident with a truck, a Tampa truck accident attorney can provide you with legal advice on whether to proceed with a claim.

Truck accidents can lead to serious and even deadly injuries. Recovering from these injuries can take months and some unlucky victims may have lifelong medical issues. When you speak with a Tampa truck accident attorney, you can trust that you’ll get the best advice about whether to file a claim to seek compensation.

Truck accidents victims who have been severely injured may be able to seek compensation to cover the costs of medical care and lost wages, in addition to the costs of any medical care needed in the future.

A truck accident can have serious consequences. Make sure you have the right team on your side to fight for you. If you’re ready to explore your legal options, call a Tampa truck accident attorney today.