Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Florida

Truck accidents are some of the worst crashes seen on Port St. Lucie’s roads. In many cases, truck accidents seem to come out of nowhere but truthfully, there are many common causes of these collisions. It is crucial that anyone injured in a truck accident knows what the most common causes of truck accidents are in Florida. Understanding what caused the crash is the only way to determine who was liable, and hold them accountable for paying compensation for the losses and damages accident victims sustain.

Drowsy Drivers

Truck drivers are under an enormous amount of pressure to deliver their cargo in a certain period of time. As such, they often stay on the roads for long periods of time and violate the hours of service rule, which dictates that truckers can only be on the road for a certain number of hours. Truckers that stay behind the wheel for too long are at high risk for becoming very tired, which can cause them to lose focus, make poor decisions, and ultimately cause a crash.

Lack of Underride Guards

An underride accident occurs when a smaller vehicle behind a truck slides underneath the trailer of an 18-wheeler. Federal law now requires all truck manufacturers to install underride guards on them that can prevent these catastrophic collisions so everyone is kept safe on the roads. An underride accident can be caused by a negligent truck driver that comes to a stop too quickly, or that misjudges the speed of oncoming traffic, particularly when making a left turn.

Improper Lane Changes

Truck drivers are expected to have the experience and skill necessary to make proper lane changes that do not cause a collision on the road. This means truckers must check their blind spots, avoid abrupt movements, and always use their turn signals to indicate to other drivers that they are changing lanes. Any time a trucker does not take these actions and makes an improper lane change that causes a crash, they can be held liable.

Following Too Closely

Trucks take a much longer time to slow down and come to a full stop than smaller vehicles. When they speed, follow other vehicles too closely, or drive while distracted, they can easily rear-end a vehicle in front of them. In Florida, the driver that rear-ended another vehicle is usually presumed to be at fault unless they can prove that the driver in front of them acted negligently, such as cutting them off or braking abruptly.

Hurt by a Truck? Call Our Florida Truck Accident Lawyers

Truck accidents have the potential to cause catastrophic injuries and when they do, accident victims need the help of a Port St. Lucie truck accident lawyer. At Eighmie Law Firm, P.A., we know how to determine liability for a truck accident so injured individuals can claim the compensation they need to recover. If you have been hurt in a truck accident, call us today at (772) 905-8692 to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help with your case.

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