Item: Flaxman Law Group
Rating: 5
Author: Clara Barman

Do You Talk on Your Phone While Driving for Work? You Could be at Risk

Published on: August 3, 2017 | By Flaxman Law Group

Many employees talk on the phone while driving as part of their job. In some cases, they may be communicating with a dispatcher or may be calling in to report where they are. In some cases, employers allow employees to use hands-free devices so they can stay in touch with their workers while on the road. Not only do employers want to be able to reach their workers, but in many cases a workday doesn’t stop just because someone is on the road. Employees may still feel pressured to respond to e-mails, company communication, or requests when they’re on the road.

If you’re a worker who talks on the phone or with dispatch as part of your job when you’re driving, you could be putting yourself at risk of distracted driving accidents. In Hollywood and across Florida, people are seriously injured or killed each year in company cars and delivery trucks as a result of distracted drivers.

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Addiction and Truck Crashes

Published on: May 4, 2017 | By Flaxman Law Group

Truck drivers face high stress and dangerous jobs. They’re on the road for many hours and face tight deadlines as well as other pressures. Some experts worry that the high stress which is part of his occupation as well as social isolation and the pressure to meet tight deadlines can push drivers to try illegal substances or even to experience addiction.

Most truck drivers use caffeine to stay alert. However, there our studies suggesting more controlled substances are sometimes used by drivers. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has a number of safeguards measure to avoid addicted drivers from driving commercial trucks. Trucks drivers are subject to strict pre-employment screening processes, which includes checks for drug and alcohol addiction. In addition, commercial truck drivers are subject to post-accident and random testing for alcohol and drugs. Surveys of US drivers by the FSMCSA suggest that only about 1% of US drivers test positive in random drug and alcohol tests.

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Is a Truck Driver Shortage Putting You at Risk of a Crash?

Published on: February 4, 2017 | By Flaxman Law Group

The average age of truck drivers is now 49 and the industry has faced a driver shortage for some years. In addition to the shortage, there is also a high turnover rate in this industry. Part of the problem appears to be related to working conditions. Truck drivers earn an average of $40,260 annually, spend a long time away from families and have a stressful job. They also work long hours at a dangerous and demanding job. All of this may be preventing new drivers from entering the profession. It may also be contributing to turnover rates.

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The driver shortage is a serious one, with some estimates suggesting the unmet need amounts to about 100,000 commercial drivers.

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Safety Tips Professional Truck Drivers Want You to Know

Published on: January 3, 2017 | By Flaxman Law Group

Professional truck drivers are some of the safest drivers on the road. To drive a commercial truck, drivers spend considerable time getting an education and training in order to operate a tractor-trailer, tanker, or other heavy commercial truck. Professional truck drivers pride themselves on knowing the roads, and they have some insights on staying safe in traffic.

Professional drivers generally agree that car drivers can stay safer on the road, even when driving around trucks, by:

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What to Do if You See a Truck in Hollywood or Florida Driving Unsafely

Published on: September 23, 2016 | By Flaxman Law Group

Commercial trucks share the road with all of us, and most of the time these professional drivers take care in driving safely. However, what happens when a truck driver is driving recklessly or dangerously on your street or during your commute? Knowing what to do can help prevent injuries and may be able to help you get to safety.

Here are a few things you will want to do:

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Health and Truck Accidents

Published on: September 15, 2016 | By Flaxman Law Group

Truck accidents are caused by many factors, including brake failure, speeding, and other issues. One issue which often gets ignored when talking about truck accidents, however, is health. The health and medical condition of passenger car drivers and truck drivers can have a big impact on the rate of traffic accidents in Homestead and other South Florida communities.

Several health concerns can affect safe driving on our streets, including:

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Sleep Apnea and Truck Driver Fatigue

Published on: August 9, 2016 | By Flaxman Law Group

Sleep apnea is a serious condition which can affect quality of sleep and can cause severe levels of fatigue during the day. Patients with this condition experience interruptions in their breathing – sometimes many times per hour – or periods of shallow breathing during sleep.

If breathing is interrupted, the patient may snore or snort awake multiple times during the night, waking up repeatedly. If breathing becomes too shallow, a patient will move from deep, restful sleep to a lighter sleep which is not as refreshing. In both cases, patients may feel very tired during their day and may even fall asleep during regular activities.

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Driving Hacks to Avoid Trucking Collisions

Published on: March 25, 2016 | By Flaxman Law Group

You’ve probably heard about slowing down and giving trucks more space. We’ve certainly recommended both on this blog, simply because these are some of the most best tips for avoiding crashes with big rigs and tractor trailers. However, there are some less-known tips and hacks to help you stay safe on Hollywood and South Florida roads:

1) When an emergency happens or there’s heavy traffic, check to see what truck drivers are doing.

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Would Legislation Help Prevent Fatigued Driving?

Published on: March 15, 2016 | By Flaxman Law Group

Truckers already face stricter policies than most users of the road. Federal rules, for example, require truck drivers to submit to medical testing and to get a set number of hours of rest in between driving periods. Hours of Service rules also limit how many hours commercial truck drivers can stay on the road.

All of these regulations are aimed at reducing the risk of fatigued driving, one of the biggest risks on our roads, according to safety experts. Dispute the measures, truck accidents in Hollywood and South Florida continue to be caused by fatigued drivers. It has led some legislators to consider passing stricter laws to prevent fatigued driving.

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Shiftwork and Truck Accidents in Hollywood and South Florida

Published on: January 30, 2016 | By Flaxman Law Group

Truck drivers already have one of the most dangerous jobs in America – they spend long hours on the road, driving heavy equipment at high speeds across highways, and then assist with loading and offloading heavy and sometimes hazardous materials. What makes this job even more dangerous is shiftwork.

Many truck drivers working shifts, meaning that in order to make their deadlines they may have to drive all night one week, during the day at another time of the year, and in the early mornings or early evenings during another part of a season. Even with Hours of Service (HoS) regulations, the fact that truck drivers don’t work business hours can hurt them and can increase their risk of truck accidents in Miami and other communities.

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