The increasing volume of truck traffic on the roads and highways of Florida has raised concerns about the safety of these large vehicles. This is especially true in the counties of Flagler and Volusia, through which trucks travel in large numbers as they haul products from South Florida to other areas of the state or country.
Large trucks generally have lower accident rates than automobiles. In the event of an accident, however, they can be a particular threat to smaller vehicles due to their weight, which in some cases may exceed 40 tons, and their size and design, which can limit their maneuverability. There are many reasons for big rig crashes, but three issues stand out as causative factors:
Driver Fatigue
Despite laws designed to limit duty times and thus to reduce fatigue, truck drivers may be on the road for long periods of time and during odd hours of the day. Additionally, truckers may be driven by increased pay to complete their delivery as quickly as possible. These issues can induce or aggravate driver fatigue. If you are involved in a truck accident resulting from driver fatigue, you should consider turning to the services of a Daytona personal injury attorney.
Speeding
The same economic pressures that induce drivers to take other risks may encourage them to drive faster than they should. This issue can be complicated by the fact that the speed limit for trucks on rural highways in Florida is the same as that for automobiles and because of the added distance required to bring to a big rig to a stop. A Daytona truck accident attorney can be of assistance if you are involved in a crash that resulted from excessive speed.
Distracted Driving
Truck drivers face many distractions when behind the wheel, some of which are self-induced. Texting and conversing on a cellphone create unnecessary risks among automobile drivers, but their effects can be devastating when done by truckers. If you suffer an accident that was caused by a distracted truck driver, you should consider turning to the law firm of Zimmet & Zimmet, which can help you obtain the compensation to which you may be entitled.
