Truck Accidents: A Danger to American Roadways

Consequences of a collision with a tractor-trailer, semi, 18-wheel long-haul commercial vehicle, which in the state of Florida can haul up to 88,000 pounds of cargo can be tragic. Due to the sheer size of tractor-trailers, injuries sustained in such crashes are typically worse than average car accidents. This makes truck safety a crucial matter in the United States.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 3,329 crashes involving heavy trucks in the state of Florida in 2010. Fifty-eight of these crashes resulted in fatalities, and 1,821 resulted in personal injuries.

Unfortunately, sometimes traffic / highway conditions are not to blame, but instead truck drivers and trucking companies are at fault.

Though many laws and regulations are in place in order to help maintain safe roadways for truck drivers, other motor vehicle drivers, and pedestrians, many accidents occur due to the negligence of drivers or trucking companies.

Some ways that truck drivers or trucking companies may be responsible for trucking accidents include:

• Trucking companies cut corners to increase profit and keep their trucks on the roads.
• Timely necessary maintenance may be delayed leading to tire blowouts, brake failures, etc.
• Under pressure from supervisors, truck drivers go back under the steering wheel too soon between runs or falsify entries into logbooks, leading to driving while fatigued. Fatigued driving is very dangerous for anyone as being tired slows the brain’s ability to function and adapt to sudden changes in the road. Fatigued driving may have similar effects on the brain as drunk driving.
• Truckers may be in violation of federal and Florida regulations pertaining to the safe operation of large commercial vehicles on the state’s interstates and state highways.
• Truck drivers may exhibit recklessness in the operation of their rigs for which they carry the burden of responsibility.
• Truck drivers may be guilty of driving under the influence of prescription medications or other drugs or alcohol. The stress placed on truck drivers may have them turn to medications in order to stay away and travel more distance in their run. These drugs have serious effects on a person’s nervous system and may result in a trucking accident.
• Drivers may choose to drive distracted through use of cell phones for conversation and smart phones for using the Internet. Distracted driving is a very serious issue across the United States. Many new laws have been put into place that restricts drivers from using cell phones or other devices while driving. Truck drivers may face additional restrictions under these laws.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a collision with an 18-wheeler, or if a loved one has been killed as a result of another’s negligence, contact an experienced and qualified truck accident lawyer right away. You may be eligible for compensations.

These Hubs are provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Professional legal counsel should be sought for specific advice relevant to your circumstances.