Truck Accidents: A Common Occurrence in Florida

Truck Accidents: A Common Occurrence in Florida There are four main interstate highways, eight auxiliary highways, and 275,376 total miles of road in the Sunshine State. Commercial vehicles are a common sight on the roads and highways in Florida. While they are vital to the economy, these massive vehicles can also pose a serious threat to the safety of others.

How Common Are Truck Accidents in Florida?

Information on semi-truck accidents around the state is recorded by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). According to a recent FLHSMV report, here are the number of semi-truck crashes, injuries, and deaths in the region around Brooksville and Lutz for one recent year:

• Hernando County – 151 crashes, 60 injuries, four deaths
• Hillsborough County – 2,426 crashes, 847 injuries, 27 deaths
• Pasco County – 574 crashes, 191 injuries, seven deaths

For all three counties, this amounted to 3,151 crashes, 1,098 injuries, and 38 deaths from truck accidents in a single year.

What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Florida are:

• Impairment by alcohol or drugs
• Distractions
• Fatigue
• Speeding or driving too fast for road conditions
• Following too closely
• Not checking blind spots before changing lanes, passing, turning, or merging
• Failing to yield the right-of-way
• Mechanical defects or malfunctions
• Bad weather
• Unbalanced or unsecured cargo
• Lack of proper maintenance

Truck drivers, trucking companies, third-party maintenance crews, and others involved in the trucking industry may be responsible for truck accidents. A truck accident lawyer in Lutz can thoroughly investigate the accident and determine who is responsible for the crash.

When Do Truck Accidents Typically Occur?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), fatal truck accidents nationwide frequently occur between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. This might seem unusual, especially since the most common time for other fatal accidents was from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., which is when most people are leaving work and are on their way home. However, it’s vital to note that truck drivers often start their trips early in the day and may have already been up for many hours by the afternoon. Driver fatigue might partially explain why so many catastrophic truck wrecks occur earlier in the day than other types of motor vehicle crashes.

For All Personal Injury Cases, Call the Holliday Karatinos Law Firm Today

If you have been hurt in a truck crash, the Lutz truck accident lawyers at Holliday Karatinos Law Firm will be ready to stand up and fight for you. You shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket if a negligent truck driver, trucking company, or another entity caused you harm. You could be eligible to recover compensation for your injuries, lost wages, damage to your vehicle, and more. Call us or reach out to us online for a free and confidential consultation. We do not charge any attorney fees until we win your case.