Truck Accidents are More Dangerous to Other Drivers

Tampa Truck Accident & Injury Lawyer

Florida has some of the most permissive speed limits in the country. You can legally coast by palm trees at 75 mph in some parts of the state. And while for most drivers this is no problem, it can get a bit more troublesome during our lovely rainstorms. Add to that the number of commuters and commercial vehicles on the road and accidents are bound to happen.

The Florida statute on Motor Vehicle Licenses defines a “commercial vehicle” as one that is “not owned or operated by a governmental entity, which uses special fuel or motor fuel on the public highways, and which has a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more, or has three or more axles regardless of weight, or is used in combination when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,001 pounds gross vehicle weight…” That qualifies nearly all delivery trucks and school buses. In Florida, that’s a lot of commercial traffic.

Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Florida

In 2015, ten percent of vehicle accidents across Florida involved a commercial vehicle. Across the nation, almost 4,000 people were killed in large truck accidents in 2012 and over 100,000 were injured. Most of those killed or injured (73%) were riding or driving in other vehicles. That’s right, most of the people injured or killed in accidents where a truck was involved were driving in other vehicles.

Because of the dangers that come with driving a truck and the difference between driving a truck and a smaller vehicle, commercial drivers must be specially licensed. And just like any other driver in Florida, they must carry insurance. While most commercial drivers are conscientious on the roadways, there are also those who are stressed out or tired due to long shifts and staring at the pavement and white lines.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Florida

You may recognize the common causes of truck accidents. Why? Well, they pretty much happen to be the main causes of any car accident. The major difference is that the driver of a truck is steering a 26,000+ pound machine while the rest of us drive cars that are around 4,000 pounds.

DRIVER ERRORS
Ever made a turn and forgotten to check all your mirrors because you had right of way? Or driven while you were a bit sleepy? Truck drivers face larger turning radiuses, often with trailers. In addition, they are subject to long hours on the road—more than most of us would willingly drive at a stretch. Aggressive driving by truck drivers can also increase the possibility of an accident. A speeding 26,000+ pound truck is not someone you want to cut off.

MECHANICAL ISSUES
Many of us drive to work and if there’s an issue with our cars, we’ll carpool or take a day off. But what if driving was your job? If a mechanical issue could slash your paycheck? Truck drivers may be more willing to disregard small issues, but sometimes those little things add up, leading to erratic vehicle performance that can endanger other drivers on the road.

BAD WEATHER
All drivers are susceptible to poor weather conditions. In addition to facing the same challenges, truck drivers must also maneuver unwieldy vehicles. While snow is rarely a Florida problem, Florida is blessed with an amazing amount of thunderstorms that bring sheets of rain, drastically reducing visibility and quickly making roads slick. Combined with permissive speed limits and large trucks, rain could spell trouble. We won’t even mention those lovely sea breezes that sometimes feel like they’re about to push your vehicle off the road.

Consulting a Tampa Truck Accident Lawyer

If you were injured because of a truck driver’s negligence, consulting with a Tampa personal injury lawyer can help you decide whether you have a case. Serious injuries can lead to exorbitant medical bills and the need for future care. Plus, many accident victims suffer from a loss of income while they recover. These factors can put a strain on resources and make recovery more difficult.

A Tampa truck accident lawyer understands the special laws that govern traffic accidents in Florida and is especially skilled in investigating accidents. A knowledgeable Tampa personal injury lawyer will be able to help you navigate the civil court system and work hard to help you receive the compensation you deserve.