Truckers may be the most experienced drivers in Florida, but preventing accidents requires constant vigilance. Fatigue, distractions and speeding can cause potentially fatal crashes. If you suffer an injury in a collision – whether you were the truck driver or in another vehicle – a personal-injury attorney can explain your legal options.
Survivors of truck accidents often face steep medical bills. Some cannot return to work. If the crash was the result of another driver’s negligence, then you should not have to pay for these losses out of your own pocket.
A Tampa truck accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Needle & Ellenberg, PA can evaluate your collision and help you pursue compensation from the at-fault party. Call 305-290-1736 to schedule a consultation. You can also visit www.USAttorneys.com to learn more about truck accident claims in Florida.
Read on for five tips that can help truck drivers prevent accidents:
1. Fasten Your Seatbelt
Wearing a seatbelt is important in all vehicles. They keep drivers in place and prevent serious trauma to the spine, neck and head. More important, they prevent ejection and keep the driver in control of the truck. In Florida, it is illegal for truck drivers not to wear seatbelts, as theFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration explains.
2. Notice Driving Conditions
Commercial drivers are among the safest road users, but trucks are ill equipped to handle adverse weather conditions. Their size makes their center of gravity higher, and their weight can increase momentum. For these reasons, it takes longer for a truck to slow down, so drivers must reduce their speeds in bad weather. If the road is wet, reduce your speed by one-third. If there is snow, reduce it by half.
3. Stop Speeding
Because trucks are bigger and heavier than normal cars, they are more prone to rollovers. Truckers should never drive faster than the speed limit, and they should be particularly cautious when approaching bends or ramps.
4. Conduct Proper Surveillance
Modern trucks come with technologies that help drivers see around their vehicles at all times. However, truckers still need to check their blind spots. This is especially important when changing lanes, merging or turning. Also, proper surveillance will help truckers predict traffic patterns and react accordingly. Truckers should check their blind spots every 10 seconds.
5. Focus Ahead
Because trucks take longer to slow down, they need a greater following distance. Furthermore, the high center of gravity makes it dangerous to brake suddenly. This is why truck drivers should keep their eyes on the road ahead. Watch for hazards at least 15 seconds in front of you, which is approximately a quarter-mile on the interstate and one-and-a-half blocks in cities.
If you were the victim of a truck accident, then contact the Law Offices of Needle & Ellenberg, PA. A Tampa truck accident lawyer can handle settlement negotiations, and if your case goes to trial, we have the litigation experience to represent your interests in court. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call 305-290-1736.