In the future, it is possible that technology will drive cars and trucks and will be able to prevent a number of trucking accidents in Hollywood and other communities that are caused by driver error. In the meantime, however, the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCA) reports that many trucking crashes are caused by driver error. A report from the agency concludes that the most common causes of trucking accidents are:
•Prescription drugs
•Speeding
•Unfamiliarity with the area or roads
•Use of over the counter drugs
•Inadequate surveillance
•Fatigued driving
•Violation of road rules and illegal maneuvers
•Distracted driving
•No evasive action taken
•Aggressive driving
While some studies have concluded that passenger car driver error is more likely to cause trucking and car accidents in Hollywood and other communities when compared with truck driver error, there is no doubt that truck drivers can and do make mistakes that turn out to be deadly. Truck drivers are driving large commercial vehicles that weigh tens of thousands of pounds. When they make a mistake, that error could end up costing lives and can cause permanent, serious injuries such as paralysis, amputation, head trauma, and other serious injuries.
Experts agree that more needs to be done. Safety experts have recommended that additional driver training and screening could help prevent some collisions. Unfortunately, with a truck driver shortage across the country, trucking companies feel pressure to hire drivers, and this can mean less careful screening as well as the hiring of less qualified drivers in some situations.
Experts would also like to see additional surveillance and supervision of truck drivers. Technology can help with this by providing cameras in truck cabs that can help automatically screen for fatigued driving, distracted driving, and other issues that can lead to collisions on roads. In the meantime, careful driver applicant screening and extra training can help ensure that drivers have the experience needed in order to drive safely.
If you have been injured in a traffic accident in Hollywood, how can you know whether over-the-counter drugs, a driver’s unfamiliarity with the roads, or distracted driving led to the collision? Sometimes, the cause of an accident is obvious. A truck may be obviously speeding and careen out-of-control. In other cases, the causes of the crash are much more subtle. If you have been in a sideswipe accident, head-on collision, underride accident, or other truck collision, contact a personal injury attorney in Hollywood or your community in order to get answers. An attorney can not only help you understand your rights but they can also investigate the causes of an accident in order to find out whether driver error caused the collision. In many cases, truck accidents are preventable and are caused by recklessness or negligence. Pursuing compensation in these cases sends a message to the trucking industry that safety is a priority and it also ensures that plaintiffs have the financial resources they need to pay for medical care, lost income, and other expenses.
Have you been injured in a truck accident? Would you like to speak to an attorney? Flaxman Law Group is a full-service law firm with offices right in Hollywood as well as additional offices in Miami in Homestead. Contact the attorneys at Flaxman Law Group today for a free case assessment.