Knowing what the common causes of interstate truck accidents are in Florida could help you avoid getting involved in one. People automatically think of the truck driver as being at fault in these collisions, but that conclusion is not always true.
The conduct of other drivers could cause a truck crash. Weather and road conditions, equipment failure, and other factors could also contribute to these significant accidents.
Driver Behavior that Can Cause Interstate Truck Accidents in Florida
Negligent driving on the part of the truck driver or the driver of any other vehicle can cause a truck collision. The following are a few examples of negligent driver actions:
- Drunk driving can include being impaired by drugs or alcohol or both and can cause preventable accidents. A person engages in drunk driving whenever their physical or mental ability to drive is below their usual level of driving ability because of drugs, alcohol, prescription drugs, or another substance, regardless of whether they could pass a breathalyzer test.
- Distracted driving is anything that takes your eyes or attention off of the road while behind the wheel. Daydreaming, picking something up that rolled off the seat, changing the radio station, and using the GPS are all examples of distracted driving.
- Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving. People driving long distances need to take regular breaks to stretch their legs, get fresh air, and stay alert.
- Speeding means driving too fast for the conditions. When the road or weather conditions are adverse, failing to slow down could cause an interstate truck accident.
- Simple driving mistakes are the cause of many avoidable truck collisions. For example, not using turn signals, failing to check the blind stop before turning or changing lanes, misjudging the other vehicle’s speed when passing, and cutting off another driver are all driver errors that can lead to a crash.
Often, two or more mistakes combine to cause a collision on Florida highways.
How Weather and Road Conditions Can Cause Florida Highway Truck Crashes
We get a lot of rain in Florida. The most dangerous road conditions can occur just after the rain starts because of oil and other substances on the surface of the road. Also, when we get a significant amount of rainfall and water is standing on the roadway, there is a risk of hydroplaning.
There can be debris on the road from the environment or items that fell or spilled off of another vehicle. When people swerve to try to avoid hitting the debris, they can crash into another car.
Finally, we do not want to overlook hurricanes and tropical storms. Storms can cause a driver to be unable to see the road ahead, creating a great risk of crashing into another vehicle. In all of these adverse situations, drivers should slow down or delay their travel until it is safer to drive.
Other Causes of Truck Collisions on Florida Interstates
Some additional causes of highway truck crashes include the following:
- Equipment failures: With cars and trucks being so high-tech today, hundreds of things could go wrong and cause an accident. A computer chip could be defective, causing the steering to malfunction. A tire made with substandard materials could split at high speed. Improperly installed brakes could fail, leaving the driver unable to stop or slow down.
- Medical emergencies: When a driver has a medical emergency like a stroke or heart attack, they can lose consciousness, which leaves a car traveling at full speed without a conscious driver.
- Improperly loaded cargo: Cargo must be loaded properly to evenly distribute the weight. The cargo also needs to get secured inside the vehicle to prevent objects from shifting during transit. A tractor-trailer could jackknife or flip over because of unbalanced or shifting cargo.
You will need to sort out whose negligence caused the accident that injured you before you can hold them accountable for your losses.
Also, be sure to take legal action before the filing deadline expires. Florida generally gives you only two years, under Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a), to file a lawsuit against the careless party who caused the interstate truck collision. Merely negotiating with the insurance company does not satisfy the statute of limitations (filing deadline). The insurance company will stop talking to you when the deadline passes because they are no longer liable to you.
Getting Help After a Truck Crash on Florida Highways
If you got injured in a highway collision that was someone else’s fault, a truck accident lawyer could handle your injury claim, leaving you free to focus your time and energy on getting better.
Sometimes, despite their best efforts, people get injured in truck accidents on interstate highways in Florida. If that happens to you, please reach out to the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. We are happy to offer a free initial consultation.
