Causes Of Truck Accidents

Getting in an accident with a commercial truck, like an 18-wheeler or semi truck, can be catastrophic, especially if you are moving at high speeds. Luckily, truck drivers must undergo a rigorous certification process, and have a CDL license that indicates they are trustworthy and experienced with operating such large and dangerous vehicles. That said, there are still many accidents involving trucks each day—a report by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration stated that there were approximately 475,000 accidents in 2016. That is a small percentage of the almost 7.3 million reported accidents in 2016, but it is still worth knowing what to look out for in order to keep yourself safe. Take a look at some common causes of truck accidents in Fort Lauderdale below, and contact a truck accident attorney at Friedland & Associates today if you require legal assistance.

Overworked Drivers

Commercial drivers are limited to a certain number of hours they are allowed to drive each week, but this still does not ensure that drivers are driving safely from day-to-day. One of the main factors of truck accidents in Florida is a sleep-deprived truck driver with delayed reaction times, or possibly even falling asleep at the wheel.

Speeding

As in many non-commercial accidents, speed plays a factor in truck crashes as well. Sometimes, a truck driver is driving too fast and is unable to brake hard enough to keep from rear-ending another vehicle, or perhaps the opposite is true and a passenger vehicle rear-ends the truck. When operating at high speeds, even the best drivers are increasing their risk of an accident.

Driving Under the Influence

Drivers operating under the influence is an unfortunate reality in Florida, and truck drivers are no exception. Truck drivers may be using drugs or alcohol while transporting heavy cargo in a large vehicle, which endangers their own lives and the lives of all drivers around them. However, passenger vehicle drivers may also be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and put truck drivers at risk as well.

Improper Loads

Trucks are restricted to a certain cargo weight depending on a variety of mechanical factors such as the size of the trailer, the tow capacity of the truck, and more. In addition, the cargo must be loaded in a certain way so that the balance of the trailer is not off to one side. If a truck is overweight, or improperly loaded so that the weight is too far to one side, it can cause major operating issues.

Equipment Failure

Tire blowouts are a common occurrence with commercial trucks, and are only one example of equipment failure that could endanger truck drivers and surrounding vehicles. A blowout can cause an accident by throwing rubber into the air and into oncoming traffic, causing other drivers to swerve and collide. There are many other mechanical failures that can contribute to accidents as well, such as brake failure or broken signal lights.

Texting While Driving

Truck drivers are just as guilty of texting while driving as any other type of driver, and although they have advanced licenses to operate such large vehicles, it does not make them any better at distracted driving. As such, texting while driving is a common factor in truck accidents, just as it is a common factor in all car accidents in Fort Lauderdale. Contact Friedland & Associates today if you have been involved in a truck accident and would like to discuss your options for a personal injury claim, or to get help dealing with a commercial trucking insurance company. We will be happy to assist you with your needs.