Truck accidents in Hollywood and South Florida may seem hard to predict, but in fact there are several risk factors that could help you spot potential danger on the road. When you share the road with big rigs, tractor trailers, and other vehicles, you need to be alert. Certain signs can indicate your risk of an accident is higher and you need to take action.
Risk factors can include:
1) Your own risk factors.
Research shows passenger car drivers cause the majority of truck-car accidents. Since passenger car drivers are not subject to the careful testing and extensive checks, hours of service regulations, and licensing requirements of commercial drivers, they are more likely to make mistakes.
If you are driving when tired, ill, upset, distracted or inebriated in any way, you are the biggest danger on the road. A simple mistake could cause you to be in a truck accident and you have little chance against a much larger vehicle. If you have any of the above risk factors, stay out of the car and choose an alternate mode of transportation to get to your destination.
2) Bad weather.
Bad weather is dangerous for all drivers, but big rigs and 18 wheelers take longer to stop when compared to passenger cars. In bad weather, you need to be alert for tankers and other commercial trucks. When sharing the road with these vehicles, it is important to give them extra room.
3) Heavy traffic.
Heavy traffic can fray nerves and lead to anger or even aggressive driving. In addition, traffic can block your view of the road ahead. If you’re trying to weave around traffic or get ahead, you could be unintentionally driving into danger if there’s a truck ahead of you, blocking your view. If you cut off a commercial vehicle the driver may not be able to stop in time to avoid a collision.
When heavy traffic happens, try to stay calm and move with the flow of traffic. Give trucks extra room and avoid cutting in front of these vehicles.
4) Heavy winds.
High winds on highways or bridges can have enough force to cause a truck rollover – especially if a tractor trailer is empty. If you are traveling in heavy winds behind a tractor trailer, give the vehicle lots of room in case the driver does run into trouble controlling their vehicle.
5) A weaving truck.
Any weaving vehicle is a bad sign, but a weaving truck could indicate an especial danger. The driver could be having a medical emergency or may have lost control of their truck. A fully-loaded commercial truck can weigh 80,000 pounds and you do not want to be crushed if this weight slams into your lane. Keep well back and pull over to call authorities if you believe the truck is an immediate danger to other vehicles on the road.
If you have been injured in a truck accident in Hollywood or anywhere in South Florida, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation. We will review your situation and offer legal advice and personalized legal support for you.