Most truck accidents happening on Florida’s highways and streets are preventable. These accidents result from reckless and careless decisions that truck drivers and trucking companies make.
If you got injured in a truck accident and suffered severe injuries in Florida, head to Cardoso Law to enlist the services of a professional attorney.
Your attorney will pinpoint the causes of the accident. Some of the causes your attorney can highlight may include the following:
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Distracted Driving
Truck drivers spend much of their time on the roads. Most are forced to drink, eat, and carry out other tasks as they drive, to meet deadlines.
Unfortunately, multitasking can divert the attention of drivers from their surroundings, putting them at risk. Among the most significant distractions may include texting, watching videos, checking social media, and talking on the phone.
Factors that cause these accidents continue to be an issue even though these distracting activities aren’t legal under federal trucking rules and regulations.
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Driver Fatigue
Unrealistic expectations and schedules of most trucking companies encourage their drivers to hurry regardless of the risks involved. Some provide incentives that motivate additional operating hours consecutively and faster vehicle speeds. This, in turn, makes overly fatigued drivers unable to focus on the roads, increasing the risks of a truck accident.
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Speeding
Most reputable trucking companies use speed limiters or speed trackers on their company vehicles. However, not every truck has this technological advancement.
Since trucks are more significant than passenger cars, speeding can be fatal for a truck driver. Usually, trucks react slowly to a quick change of direction or speed due to the momentum they build. Speeding is negligence and reckless, and a truck driver who speeds must be held liable.
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Driver Inexperience and Error
An inexperienced driver might lack the proper skills to operate on large commercial trucks safely. This may lead to errors like oversteering, improper braking, and failing to maintain safer following distances. Other driver errors may include not abiding by the traffic laws.
Driving while impaired by alcohol or other drugs also leads to truck accidents in Florida. Drivers who drive trucks while under the influence of substances expose themselves, as well as other road users, to risks since their reflexes, coordination, and judgment are impaired significantly.
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Mechanical Failures
You must inspect trucks regularly before you hit the road. Their large size and heavy cargo mean trucks often have more wear and tear than smaller vehicles and need more maintenance.
But the urgency of getting on the roads can make several truck drivers cut corners and continue driving after experiencing issues, leading to severe accidents.
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Changing Lanes Improperly
Drivers should always be keen when merging or changing lanes. But you must exercise more caution when dealing with a tractor-trailer-like vehicle.
Such vehicles are five times longer than family cars. If truck drivers carelessly change lanes, you must monitor the space carefully and look for signals from those drivers.
Truck accidents in Florida come with a great risk. Understanding some prevalent causes of truck accidents can minimize the chances of getting involved in a collision. Understanding the proper steps to take when you get involved in a truck accident is essential to protect yourself legally and ensure a fair settlement for your injuries or damages.
