According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there are many bad habits car drivers can adopt that can easily lead to Florida car accidents and truck accidents. Although truck drivers can also cause Florida truck accidents, in many cases mistakes by drivers of passenger vehicles cause serious accidents on the highways and roads. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there are many things drivers of passenger vehicles can do to avoid an accident:
1) Wear a seatbelt. While a seatbelt will not prevent an accident, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration points out that if you are in an accident, a seatbelt is the best protect you have. A seatbelt will protect you by preventing you from being ejected from the car or hitting the steering wheel or windshield. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in about 78% of truck accidents involving a car, there is a fatality involving a passenger or driver of the passenger vehicle involved. Wearing a seatbelt can reduce your risk.
2) Do not cut in front of trucks. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, this is the most common – and the most deadly – mistake passenger vehicle drivers make when sharing the road with trucks. The problem with cutting trucks off is that large vehicles such as trucks take much longer to stop than other vehicles. This means that if the truck driver must slam on the brakes, it is likely that a truck accident will happen. Always make sure that you can see the truck in the mirror before you attempt to enter the lane in front of a truck. Use your signal to ensure that the truck driver can see you are about to move into his or her lane.
3) Don’t coast in the blind spots. Truck drivers cannot clearly see vehicles driving directly in front, behind, or beside the truck. Unless you can see the truck’s mirrors, the driver likely cannot see you. Avoid staying in the blind spots – a truck could turn into you or back up into you.
4) Drive calmly and attentively. Aggressive and distracted drivers are dangerous to everyone on the road. Since truck drivers take longer to stop their vehicles, someone who is running red lights, making aggressive lane changes, or not paying attention can easily cause a Florida truck accident.
5) Do not get caught in a “squeeze.” A squeeze refers to a situation in which a passenger car gets stuck between the curb and a truck when a truck makes a wide right turn. In many cases, trucks need to swing wide to the left, especially on city streets, and may not see cars beside them or behind them. If you get stuck in a squeeze, you could be forced to drive up on the curb, causing a Florida pedestrian accident. In a worst-case scenario, you could be left with nowhere to go and could be crushed by the truck. Always give trucks extra room to turn.
If you have been injured in a Florida truck accident, call the compassionate and legal team at the Flaxman Law Group. With thousands of successful cases litigated and convenient offices in Miami, Homestead, and Hollywood, the Flaxman Law Group offers experience as well as convenience. Call today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation to address the questions you may have about your case.