Time-on-the-Road Violations and Driver Fatigue | Negligent Vehicle Maintenance | Distracted Driving | Violation of Traffic Laws | Careless Loading or Overloading | Substance Abuse
Understanding the common causes of truck accidents in Florida may not ensure that you won’t be a party to an 18-wheeler or tractor-trailer collision, but it can help you and your attorney pinpoint the causes of such an accident. When you’ve suffered any type of injury in an incident involving a semi, big rig or other large commercial truck, you want a knowledgeable and proven lawyer to protect your rights. You want the Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz.
What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Florida?
According to sources within the trucking industry, there’s an accident involving a large commercial truck somewhere in the United States every three minutes (on average). Sadly, even though safety officials have long known the dangers associated with large commercial trucks, and even though there are extensive state and federal regulations governing the operation of commercial trucks, recent statistics show an increase in large truck accidents and in fatalities arising out of large truck accidents.
The reasons most often cited for large truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue, often related to violation of “time-on-the-road” restrictions—Truck drivers are customarily paid by the load. The more loads delivered, the more money they make. That’s an incentive to spend a lot of time on the road. Even though federal regulations establish strict limits, too many drivers ignore the restrictions or intentionally falsify driving logs.
- Careless vehicle maintenance—A large commercial truck can weight up to 80,000 pounds, making it extremely dangerous if it breaks down on the road. Drivers must maintain maintenance logs, but can often falsify them.
- Distracted driving—Truck drivers are susceptible to the same distractions as other drivers, including handheld devices, radios, personal grooming, eating or drinking or roadside attractions
- Violation of traffic laws—Speeding, illegal lane changes and failure to stop at a red light or stop sign are common causes of accidents
- Negligence in loading a trailer—Overloading or failing to properly balance a load can cause a rollover or other accident
- Substance abuse—The long hours on the road can lead drivers to turn to drugs or alcohol
Let Us Help You Protect Your Rights after a Truck Accident Injury in Florida
At the Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz, we have more than 26 years of experience protecting the rights of truck accident injury victims throughout Florida and nationwide, including the greater Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa. We have a comprehensive understanding of the challenges involved in recovering full and fair compensation after a whiplash injury, and will use our considerable experience, skill, knowledge and resources to help you get the outcome you want. Arrange a free consultation today to evaluate your potential case.
Handling Accident Cases Nationwide, Including, But Not Limited to Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Illinois and Oklahoma
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