Because of the size and mass of the vehicles involved, large truck accidents present a serious threat to safety on Florida highways. When a tractor-trailer crashes, the occupants of other vehicles are much more likely to suffer from severe injuries or fatalities. There are several common reasons for trucking crashes, even though professional truck drivers are actually less likely than passenger car drivers to cause an accident. Nevertheless, the effects can be devastating when a negligent truck driver is at fault.
One of the most common causes of truck accidents is speeding. Sometimes, this means that a truck driver is driving above the posted speed limit. He or she may even have been pressured to do so by a trucking company issuing a nearly impossible schedule. However, it is important to remember that large trucks have a much longer stopping distance than passenger cars. In case of an emergency, a speeding truck is more difficult to stop and can lead to a collision. In other cases, the truck driver may simply be going too fast for the weather. Drivers need to slow down in rain, sleet, snow or icy conditions.
Brake issues and poor maintenance are other common factors in trucking collisions. In one study, 29% of semi-trucks involved in crashes had brake problems. In some cases, these problems were caused by negligent trucking companies that wanted to save money by cutting back on maintenance.
Truck crashes can lead to catastrophic injuries, and many are caused by a negligent truck driver or trucking company. People injured in a trucking accident may work with a personal injury lawyer to pursue compensation for their losses.
