7 Common Causes of Trucking Accidents in Florida

Trucking accidents, automobile, or motorcycle accidents can lead to complex legal problems that end up in mediation or even in trial. Truck accidents are not the most common type of accident in Florida, but accident victims face the risk of severe injuries, like head injuries or spinal cord injuries, in truck accident cases.

If you have been involved in a trucking accident, it’s in your best interest to seek the advice of an experienced attorney to help you through the difficult time.

How Often Do Trucking Accidents Occur in Florida?

Due to its location, size, and population, Florida experiences a high volume of trucks traveling through the state on a daily basis. Florida, alongside California and Texas, consistently is among the states with the most trucking accidents.

According to a Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) report, in 2020, there were over 341,000 car crashes in the state of Florida. Over 3,300 of them were fatal.

In 2020, larger commercial trucks over 10,000 pounds were the perpetrators of 29 fatalities, 111 incapacitating injuries, 389 non-incapacitating injuries, and 789 possible injuries. Smaller trucks weighing under 10,000 pounds were also responsible for 4 fatalities, 43 incapacitating injuries, 232 non-incapacitating injuries, and 633 possible injuries. 

While trucking accidents are less common than car accidents in Florida, these can result in more serious injuries due to the sheer size and weight of the truck compared to someone in a standard vehicle.

7 Causes of Trucking Accidents in Florida

In many cases, roadway accidents between a passenger vehicle like a car and a commercial truck is caused in part by negligence by the automobile driver. A typical factor in collisions involving passenger vehicles and large trucks is an automobile’s unawareness of a truck's performance capabilities, including limits associated with acceleration, braking, wide turns, and the driver's limited visibility.

Some typical cases of negligence or carelessness committed by automobile drivers in the vicinity of large trucks include:

• Driving in the "no-zones," which are the areas behind and beside a commercial truck where the truck driver has limited or zero visibility.
• Changing lanes sharply in front of a truck.
• Maneuvering to the right of a truck that is making a right turn.
• Miscalculating an approaching truck's speed at an intersection and making a left turn in front of the truck.
• Merging improperly into traffic, causing a truck to maneuver or brake quickly.
• Failure to slow down or speed up when a truck begins to change lanes or merge.
• Unsafe passing, especially passing with inadequate headway.
• Passing a truck, then being blown out of position by air turbulence or cross-wind.
• Pulling into traffic from the roadside in front of a truck without speeding up sufficiently.
• Driving between large trucks, known as “the rocking chair.” This puts both the trucker and drivers at risk.
• Abandoning a vehicle in a travel lane or failing to get a broken-down vehicle completely off the highway and out of harm’s way.

Commercial truck drivers are skilled and patient drivers, for the most part. However, in addition to the dangers inherent in the size and weight of the trucks used in commercial transportation and shipping, a number of characteristics inherent in the business can contribute to truck accidents in Florida. These include:

Distracted Driving

Texting, talking on the phone, or reaching for a device are all examples of distractions that can take away your attention from the road in front of you. Truck accident victims that can prove negligence from the truck driver may be eligible for compensation.

Driver Fatigue

Unrealistic schedules and expectations of trucking companies encourage drivers to hurry, despite the safety risks involved. Some companies offer incentives that encourage faster vehicle speeds and more hours of consecutive vehicle operation than would normally be advisable. This can lead to drivers who are overly fatigued and unable to concentrate on the road, which increases the risk of an accident.

Driving Under the Influence

Operating a commercial truck under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal and can result in serious consequences.

Speeding Tractor Trailer or Large Truck

The size and weight of large trucks make it more difficult to come to a complete stop at a high rate of speed. Some truck drivers may be speeding because they are attempting to meet tight delivery deadlines, but any time a driver is going over the posted speed limit, it increases the risk of a serious accident.

Part Failure & Poor Truck Maintenance

Poor maintenance of trucks can lead to part failures, such as brakes or tires which may cause an accident.  In this case, it is the responsibility of the trucking company to maintain a safe fleet of trucks.

Overloaded Trucks

Trucking companies may overload their vehicles, which affects the balance and can cause performance issues that lead to an accident.  Additionally, overloaded trucks require more braking distance, so drivers may not be able to stop in time when necessary.

Improper Training

Poor training and driving technique, safety concerns, and not practicing defensive driving can lead to a trucking accident.

What to Do When Involved in a Florida Trucking Accident

After a trucking accident, you might be:

• Losing pay
• Accruing expensive medical bills
• Unable to work
• Injured or suffering potential permanent disability
• And just plain angry

We understand. But you shouldn’t let that anger control you. A skilled lawyer can help you recover damages after a trucking accident. No matter what the cause of a trucking accident is, if it was caused by negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries or other damages.

Contact a Florida Trucking Accident Lawyer Today

Have you been injured in a Florida trucking accident? If so, you should contact one of our highly skilled trucking accident lawyers here at Lowman Law Firm. We can help you during this difficult time. Our experienced attorneys can help you navigate your case and assist you in receiving the compensation you may be entitled to. Call us today for a free consultation. We will always fight for your rights, no matter how complicated the case may be.