A new study by the Accident Research Team at Volvo Trucks has found that 90% of truck accidents are caused by human error. Errors can include:
1) Speeding. Many truck and car accidents in Miami and across Florida are caused by speeding. When motorists speed, they can easily collide with trucks, which cannot stop as easily or as quickly as passenger cars. When truck drivers speed, the results can be catastrophic, since the size and force of a speeding truck can be enough to cause significant damage in any collision. Staying within the speed limit is one of the simplest ways to prevent an accident.
2) Errors caused by fatigue. Truck drivers are required by law to get certain amounts of rest. They are also subject to medical exams to ensure that they are fit to drive. Some drivers, however, doctor shop or avoid getting the required rest, and this can easily lead to car and truck accidents in Miami and South Florida. Regular motorists are not subject to the same regulations as truck drivers. Studies have shown that many drivers of passenger cars admit to driving fatigued or ill, even though most drivers realize that both are risks factors for a collision.
3) Errors caused by distracted driving. Truck drivers are banned from texting and driving, while regular motorists are not. Both truck drivers and passenger car drivers, however, routinely cause collisions because they take their focus and attention from the road. Whether it’s changing music, making a phone call, daydreaming, or having an animated discussion with a passenger, any form of distraction can cause a serious traffic accident.
4) Failing to judge distances and make appropriate maneuvers in time. Truck drivers need to anticipate well in advance, since their larger vehicles respond more slowly. Drivers are trained for this, but when they fail to follow their training, accidents occur.
5) Drinking and driving. According to the Volvo study, truck drivers are in fact less likely to drive drunk. Researchers found that 0.5% of truck drivers were drinking at the time of a serious accident, compared to 15-20% of passenger car drivers. Drunk driving accidents still remain an all-too-common type of accident in Miami and South Florida, however.
If you have been injured in a truck accident in Miami or any South Florida community, you will want to speak with a personal injury attorney. These types of accidents are usually legally very complex and may involve multiple liable parties. While that can actually increase your chances of getting fair compensation, you do need to have a strong advocate on your side, fighting for your rights. To find out more and to learn whether you have a case, arrange for a free case evaluation with the Flaxman Law Group. The attorneys at The Flaxman Law Group have more than twenty-five years of experience in South Florida personal injury law. They have helped thousands of personal injury and traffic accident plaintiffs recover for their injuries. Contact the law firm today to find out what the legal staff can do for you.