Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
A semi truck crashed over a highway barrier last night on Polk Parkway East near Exit 18.
FHP reports that the driver lost control of the car and “ruined 300 feet of guardrail.”
Fortunately, there were no crash-related injuries.
Semi-trucks are the backbone of commerce when it comes to moving goods across great distances and bridging the gap between companies and customers. Though they are vital to our economy, these massive vehicles also present serious risks on the road, especially when a driver loses control. Due to their size and weight, semi-truck accidents are frequently disastrous. Several conditions, such as poor driving, mechanical failure, inclement weather, and road hazards, can cause semi-truck accidents.
How Much Does a Semi Truck Weigh?
Depending on size, a semi-truck without a trailer weigh between 10,000 and 25,000 pounds. A semi-truck hitched up to an empty trailer weigh about 35,000 pounds. In the US, an authorized semi-truck with a loaded trailer can weigh no more than 80,000 pounds.
What Causes Truck Accidents?
Driver error is one of the main reasons behind semi-truck accidents. The trucking sector continues to be plagued by driver fatigue and distraction, despite strict laws and significant training requirements. Driver fatigue brought on by extended periods spent behind the wheel can affect judgment and reaction times. Distractions that take the focus off the road, like cell phones or in-cab electronics, raise the risk of accidents.
Mechanical failure is another major contributor to semi-truck accidents. Despite having strict maintenance schedules, issues can still arise involving these vehicles. Tire blowouts, engine troubles, steering system malfunctions, and brake failures can all cause a driver to lose control, endangering everyone sharing the roadway. These dangers can be increased by poorly maintained trucks or insufficient inspections, which emphasizes the importance of routine maintenance procedures.
Poor weather conditions present severe challenges for semi-truck drivers. It can be challenging to drive such large vehicles safely through rain, snow, ice, and fog since these conditions can impair traction and visibility. Sudden gusts of wind, particularly in open regions or on bridges, can destabilize trucks, leading them to run off the road. Even if seasoned drivers are prepared to deal with bad weather, accidents can still occur from unanticipated events.
Road hazards pose additional dangers to semi-truck drivers. A truck’s trajectory can be affected by potholes, debris, uneven pavement, and construction zones, especially when travelling on highways at higher speeds. Failure to successfully maneuver these barriers can lead to a loss of control that result in catastrophic accidents.
How Can You Safely Share the Road with Semis?
To coexist on the roads with semi-trucks, you must pay close attention to your surroundings. Large blind areas, also called “no-zones,” may affect the truck driver’s view. These blind areas are in front of the cab, along the sides, and right behind the vehicle. It is imperative that drivers stay out of these spots since the truck driver might not notice them, which raises the likelihood of collisions. Instead, keep a safe distance and make sure you can see the truck’s mirrors; if you cannot see the truck’s mirrors, then the driver probably cannot see you.
Sharing the road with semi-trucks also requires a great deal of patience. These vehicles have slower acceleration and deceleration times than passenger cars. Give semi-trucks plenty of room when merging in front of them; do not cut them off. A fully loaded truck takes a lot longer to stop completely, so keep in mind that slamming on your brakes or changing lanes suddenly in front of them can have disastrous results.
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