Item: Flaxman Law Group
Rating: 5
Author: Clara Barman

Would Mobile Scales and Other Initiatives Prevent Miami Springs Trucking Crashes?

Published on: November 6, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Law enforcement officials in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania have a newly equipped pick-up truck to help track down trucks with safety violations. The pick-up truck can travel to any roads where trucks with safety violations have been spotted. The truck is equipped with mobile scales and other equipment that can help detect trucks that are carrying more than their allowed weight or are guilty of other traffic violations. Could similar devices help prevent Miami Springs truck accidents, too?

The specially-equipped pick-up truck is impressive because it allows law enforcement officials to travel in order to find possible risky drivers and trucks. While there are scales along many roads, these stationary scales only catch those drivers who travel along those roads. If truck drivers take alternate or back roads, they may be able to elude the scales. With the new pick-up truck, law enforcement officials can find possible trucks in violation of safety codes and this makes it harder for trucks to evade the law.

Mobile scales may be important in preventing Miami Springs traffic accidents involving trucks because overweight trucks are a serious concern and a major cause of collisions. Heavier loads can cause extra pressure on brakes and tires, leading to Miami Springs tire blowouts, brake failure, and other incidents that can lead to accidents. Trucks that are over the maximum allowable weight are simply more likely to be in an accident and may cause serious Miami Springs head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even fatalities.

While there are laws in place to prevent trucks from carrying more than the maximum allowable weight, enforcing these laws can be challenging. Scales located on highways are designed to help spot trucks who exceed weight limits. However, truck companies may have financial motive to add weight to their trucks – making one large shipment can be less expensive and less time-consuming than making multiple smaller shipments. In addition, sometimes honest mistakes lead to a truck being weighted down past allowed weight limits. Trucks who take back roads or less-used roads rather than highways with scales may not be weighed by traditional scales and their hazard may go by undetected. Mobile scales could help with this problem, some experts believe.

The specially-equipped truck is actually not much different than law enforcement officials having breathalyzer tests in cruisers to prevent Miami Springs drunk driving accidents. Both devices are designed to help ensure that drivers are meeting safety regulations and are taking the steps necessary to stay safe on the roads.

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Now that the Holidays are Nearing, the Risk of Aventura Truck Accidents is on the Rise

Published on: October 25, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

With the holidays approaching, there are more trucks on the road than ever before. They are delivering products to retailers for holiday sales and are delivering purchases and packages to customers. Extra trucks on local roads can mean a greater risk of Aventura truck accidents, so consider these tips for staying safe:

1) Consider doing your holiday shopping early. Not only is it more convenient (and less stressful) but it will prevent you from having to be out as often when there are even more trucks on the road. One of the big risks for seasonal Aventura car accidents is that motorists are stressed out at this time of year, and therefore more likely to make mistakes. Giving yourself more time to run errands and shop may help you reduce the risk of an Aventura traffic accident.

2) Get your car a tune-up. This is especially important if you will be taking a road trip to visit family for the holidays. Keeping your car in good shape means that your car is more likely to respond correctly when you need to make sudden maneuvers to avoid a collision.

3) Take the distraction-free pledge. At this time of year, everyone is busy, but avoiding distraction behind the wheel becomes extra important in order to avoid accidents.

4) Have at least three safe options for getting home if you will be attending holiday events. Prevent Aventura drunk driving accidents by planning ahead now. Tuck extra money into an inner pocket of your wallet, along with the numbers of cab companies. Slip a bus schedule into your glove compartment. Write down the phone numbers of friends who can offer you a safe drive home. Planning ahead and having more options allows you to stay safer during the entire holiday season.

5) Review the basics of driving safely around trucks. A big part of avoiding Aventura truck accidents involves knowing how to share the road. Trucks require more room to stop, so it is important not to follow too closely. Trucks also have more blind spots, which is another reason to give them more room.

6) Review your to-do list and see what can be removed. Stress and rushing are two key causes of many traffic accidents. Having fewer things to do allows you to enjoy more time with your loved ones and may even help to keep you safer.

7) Schedule in some extra sleep. Drowsy driving is as dangerous as drunk driving, according to some research studies, since driving sleepy means you are driving with the same slower response times as an intoxicated driver. Tired drivers are also more apt to fall asleep behind the wheel and lose control of their cars. Shorter days at this time of year can exacerbate the effects of poor sleep, so make sure that you are sleeping well. Speak to your doctor if you feel tired often.

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Driving with a Chronic Illness: How to Avoid Getting Into a Miami Truck Accident or Car Accident Due to a Medical Condition

Published on: October 23, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Medical conditions are a serious hazard on the road. Each year, people are injured and killed because motorists fall ill behind the wheel. Heart attacks, seizures, strokes, and other medical emergencies cause Miami pedestrian accidents and car accidents each year. Even milder conditions, such as sleep apnea, cause serious Miami truck accidents. To avoid this type of tragedy from happening to you:

1) Get regular checkups and get symptoms checked out promptly. Not knowing that you have a medical condition can be one of the most dangerous situations. Some conditions – including high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and cardiac disease – are very dangerous for motorists but may not have obvious symptoms. Getting regular checkups and checks of your vitals is an important part of staying proactive about your health and safety.

2) Get treatment and follow doctor directions carefully to manage your condition. If you do have a condition that can affect your driving ability, it is important to manage your condition as well as possible. Consult with your doctor as needed and follow the treatment plan as prescribed.

3) Do not get back on the road until you are ready. Ask your doctor about your driving skills and how they may be affected. If you are diagnosed with an illness that affects your coordination, cognitive skills, vision, or mobility you may wish to ask your doctor how it will affect your driving ability. You may need some accessibility features for your car or you may need to get the condition under control before you get back to driving.

4) Talk to your pharmacist about any medications you may be taking. Medications that make you sleepy or drowsy can be dangerous. Even over the counter medications can affect your ability to drive, so read labels carefully and ask if you have any questions.

5) Take driving slow. Avoid higher-risk driving. If you have a medical condition that you are getting used to, ease back into driving as you learn to cope with your health. Avoid longer drives, night driving, and riskier driving situations until you are sure that you can handle them.

6) Take driving refresher courses or an evaluation of your driving skills. If your health concern affects your mobility, vision, cognitive skills, or response times, consider getting your driving evaluated by a driving instruction or expert. Discussing your concerns and addressing your problems can help you to drive safely.

7) Get the technology you need for your car to make driving easier. New safety and accessibility tools are developed every day and can help make driving easier and safer for you, helping you avoid Miami car collisions. Consider some of these features for your car to make you a safer – and more confident – driver.

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Warning Signs that Driver You Know May be at Risk of a Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident or Car Accident

Published on: October 18, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

In many cases, drivers who cause a Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident or car accident show some signs of possible driver errors and problems before the accident. Some of these signs can include:

1) Warning sign fender benders. Smaller fender benders – especially multiple small Fort Lauderdale car accidents – can be a warning sign that a driver is routinely taking risks or has a health problem that does not allow them to drive safely. These smaller accidents should be addressed before the motorist causes a serious Fort Lauderdale traffic accident.

2) Mix-ups doing basic driving activities – pedal mixups, driving up on curbs accidentally. While anyone can make a mistake, these types of mistakes during routine driving activities could signal distracted driving or another problem.

3) Forgetfulness or getting lost while driving. These can be early signs of dementia and could be a serious risk on the road.

4) A chronic medical condition that is serious enough to affect driving ability. Anytime a driver is diagnosed with a chronic health condition – such as cardiac disease, epilepsy, dementia, and other conditions – it is important to discuss how the condition will affect driving ability. If the patient is getting treatment, it is important to discuss the effects that medication will have on driving ability.

5) Fear when driving. Timid drivers are likely to make mistakes and drive in a way that may be dangerous. Sudden timidity and loss of confidence when driving can be dangerous and can signal that the driver knows that something is wrong. In some cases, timidity can be caused by trauma after a Fort Lauderdale truck accident or car accident. In any event, it is important to build back driver confidence by addressing any underlying issues and by getting some remedial driver training to build skills and confidence.

6) Distracted driving. Any driver of any age and health status is a risk on the road if they are driving distracted. While texting and driving is not illegal in Florida, reckless driving can lead to legal claims and charges. Any driver who routinely drives distracted will likely cause a Fort Lauderdale traffic accident and the bad habit needs to be addressed.

7) Substance abuse or medications that can cause dizziness and other dangerous symptoms. Fort Lauderdale drunk driving accidents claim far too many lives and are entirely preventable. In addition to driving under the influence of alcohol, however, drivers can also driver under the influence of drugs. Controlled substances, illegal drugs, prescription medication, and even over the counter medications can all affect judgment, response times, and motor skills.

If you know someone who is an at-risk driver, speak to them in a non-accusatory way about the issue and provide them with the facts they need to drive safe. You could be helping to save their lives.

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Common Causes of Tire Problems and Coral Gables Truck Accidents

Published on: October 16, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Many Coral Gables truck accidents are caused by tire blow outs and other tire problems. If you have spent any time on highways in the area, you are no doubt familiar with the strips of tire on the road that are often the remaining debris after a truck tire blow out. There are many reasons why tire blow outs happen so often:

1) Tire defects. In some cases, tire manufacturers design a defective tire or the tire is made defective during a faulty manufacturing process. In both cases, if a defective tire causes injuries in a Coral Gables car accident or truck accident, victims may be able to launch a Coral Gables defective product claim against the manufacturer.

2) Recalled tires. In cases where a tire manufacturer notices that there is a problem with a type of tire, they may issue a recall to prevent the issue from causing accidents. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has a website listing recalls at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls. In some cases, truck carriers may not check for recalled tires and may continue to use tires which are known to be defective.

3) Lack of tire maintenance. Truck carriers and drivers have a responsibility for maintaining brakes and other major truck systems. When drivers and carriers are not responsible in doing so, Coral Gables traffic accidents can result.

4) Not using tires which meet basic tread depth regulations. DOT has requirements for minimum tread depth to ensure that tires grip the road correctly. When truck companies do not abide by these regulations, drivers may have a harder time controlling the trucks and avoiding collisions.

5) Mixing tires. For maximum safety, tires need to be the same type, size, and wear. Mixing and matching can result in an imbalance and can increase the risk of a Coral Gables truck collision. Combining radial and bias tires on the same axle can also cause collisions and can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicle.

6) Lack of inspections. Drivers are required by law to perform inspections of the tires and major commercial truck systems each day before a trip. They are also mandated to keep a report of their inspections. If a tire shows signs of incorrect inflations, air leakage, excessive tread wear, sidewall damage, or tread damage, drivers are expected to fix the issue or report the issue so that it can be fixed.

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Who is Liable in a Biscayne Park Trucking Accident Case Caused by Brake Failure?

Published on: October 11, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), 29.4% of all accidents involving big trucks involve some form of brake issues, such as brake failure. In cases where brake failure causes a Biscayne Park truck accident, there may be many liable parties:

1) The driver. Truck drivers are required by federal regulations to perform a pre-trip inspection each day and to keep a record of these inspections. Drivers are mandated to check brake shoes and to check for air leaks and loose brake components. If drivers fail to complete these inspections, fill out the reports, or report known problems, they may be held liable for any injuries that result from a truck accident caused by brake failure.

2) The company responsible for loading the cargo. The company responsible for loading the cargo may incorrectly load or secure the cargo or may overload the truck, causing excessive pressure on the brake system, and, potentially, brake failure. In these cases, the company may be held liable if an accident and injuries result.

3) The company that owns the truck or the company that is responsible for brake maintenance. In cases where a different company than the owner-operator is responsible for the maintenance of brake systems, that company may be held liable if a Biscayne Park car accident or truck accident occurs because the brakes were not correctly maintained.

4) The brake manufacturer. A brake manufacturer producing brakes for a commercial truck is required by federal regulations to ensure that the brakes allow the truck to stop at a specific rate, to ensure that the brakes develop a specific braking force, and to ensure that brakes meet the requirements for automatic brake adjustment systems. In cases where brakes do not meet the regulations, the brake manufacturer may be held liable for a Biscayne Park traffic accident caused by the defective brakes. These legal claims are usually Biscayne Park products liability claims and usually occur because there was some defect with the brake’s design or manufacturing process.

5) The truck carrier. Some truck carriers may not order adequate maintenance on their trucks or may make poor decisions, such as unhooking the front brakes to save money on brake maintenance. Truck companies must, by federal regulations, keep maintenance records showing that brakes and other truck systems are correctly maintained. When truck carriers are negligent in keeping these records or ensuring that trucks are correctly maintained, they may be held liable if the truck’s poor condition causes an accident and injuries.

After a Biscayne Park truck accident, determining liability can be challenging. It is common for one potential liable party to blame another. A truck driver may blame the truck carrier for unsafe policies while the truck carrier may blame the brake manufacturer for defective brakes. In turn, the manufacturer may blame incorrect maintenance for the tire failure. The best way to determine all liable parties is to work with a Biscayne Park personal injury attorney who has experience in truck cases. A good attorney can investigate the cause of an accident and can find all liable parties, increasing the chances of fair compensation.

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Brake Failure Can Lead to Hollywood Truck Accidents

Published on: October 9, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

When tire failure occurs on a commercial truck, the truck can drift into traffic or the driver may lose control of the vehicle. It is a common cause of Hollywood truck accidents. In addition, Hollywood tire failure can cause pieces of tire to be left on the road, causing secondary Hollywood car accidents. Commercial trucks are especially susceptible to tire failure for a number of reasons:

1) Tires can get worn or old. Commercial trucks drive over much longer distances than the average passenger car, and tires can become worn with time. In some cases, truck tires also stay in storage for some time until they are needed, and this can cause the rubber to deteriorate, increasing the risk of tire failure. Truck drivers are responsible for ensuring that their truck tires are in good condition.

2) Hollywood trucks can drive in very hot conditions. High temperatures can cause rubber in tires to deteriorate or even start to melt, increasing the risk of a Hollywood tire blow out. While there is nothing that can be done about the weather, drivers of commercial trucks are expected to check the condition of tires and commercial truck carriers are expected to maintain tires correctly, since worn tires and old tires are more likely to fail in high heat.

3) Commercial truck tires are susceptible to tire defects. In some cases, design flaws or manufacturing problems cause defective tires that are susceptible to safety issues. In these cases, if the defective tires cause an accident and injuries, the tire manufacturers may be held liable in a Hollywood defective products legal claim.

4) The heavy weight of trucks can contribute to tire failure. The heavy weight of commercial trucks can place extra pressure on tires. When trucking companies ignore the cargo limits and place extra weight on tires, tire blow outs and Hollywood truck accidents are common.

5) Incorrect tire inflation can cause blow-outs. Truck drivers are responsible for ensuring that a truck’s tires are correctly inflated. When tires are under-inflated they can cause more friction with the road and generate heat that can cause the tire to split. When tires are over-inflated, they may not correctly grip the road surface, making it harder for the truck driver to control the truck.

6) Commercial trucks are difficult to control on hills, leading to potential problems with brake pads. Inexperienced drivers may use brakes too much on hills, overusing brake pads and putting extra pressure on tires. This can cause tire blow outs and accidents.

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Read-End Miami Gardens Truck Accidents: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

Published on: October 4, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

According to statistics, each year across the country about 400 people are fatally injured in rear-end crashes with commercial trucks. Many more are seriously injured but survive. In about half of all fatal rear-end truck accidents, the smaller passenger car slides under the truck in what is known as an underride. Underride accidents are especially tragic since during this type of accident the passenger vehicle is crushed or the top is sheared off, causing devastating injuries to the passengers inside the car. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), many of these types of accidents are preventable.

There are regulations in place to prevent underride Miami Gardens truck accidents. Since 1998, federal rules have required large commercial trucks to have underride guards. These are bars that are attached to the back of the tractor trailer in order to prevent cars from sliding under the vehicle in the event of a collision. However, underride Miami Gardens car accidents continue to happen. According to the IIHS, in some cases the guard breaks off in the event of an accident. In 2011, the IIHS conducted research on underride guards. The results of the study were surprising: in half of tests, underride guards failed, even at speeds as little as 35mph. Worse, the guards met safety standards, so they were guards considered effective. According to the IIHS, the problem was that in many cases when a car struck the guard at an angle, the attachment holding the guard to the truck gave way.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tests on underride guards have been conducted repeatedly with similar results and the government has been aware of the problems with the guards since at least 2009. The IIHS would like to see government regulators step in to correct the issue. In Canada and Europe, stricter measures have been introduced to prevent underride accidents and experts in Florida feel that more could be done to prevent this devastating type of Miami Gardens traffic accident.

The IIHS is continuing its efforts to change the regulations and has announced new research examining the top tractor trailer manufacturers to see which fare best in rear-end collisions. Results of the studies are expected in early 2013.

In the meantime, accident victims who have been seriously injured in underride Miami Gardens truck accidents are often turning to Miami Gardens personal injury attorneys and legal claims in order to hold manufacturers and drivers responsible. Florida law does allow anyone seriously injured in a truck accident to seek a claim against those liable for the injuries.

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Cargo Issues That Can Lead to Tamarac Trucking Accidents

Published on: October 2, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Each day, trucks in Tamarac carry cargo to and from businesses and homes. Cargo on trucks varies widely, from food products to live animals to tools and cars. Just about every item we buy is likely transported by truck at some point. Although most truck deliveries occur without incidents, some serious Tamarac truck accidents occur each year due to problems with cargo. These problems can include:

1) Incorrectly secured loads. Cargo transported by truck is supposed to be carefully and correctly secured so that it does not shift during transport. When cargo shift occurs, Tamarac traffic accidents are a common result. Determining liability in these cases is often a challenge, since there may be multiple freight handlers tasked with loading, unloading, and securing cargo. In these types of claims, the driver of the truck is also often held party liable, since securing the cargo is the driver’s responsibility. Drivers are expected to check the cargo before each trip and regularly throughout a trip to ensure that cargo is secured correctly.

2) Heavy loads. A common cargo issue with commercial trucks is overloading. Commercial trucks have strict limits about the cargo weight they are allowed to carry. Exceeding the weight places additional pressure on the brakes, tires, and other systems of a truck, leading to Tamarac truck accidents.

3) Shifting loads. Some loads shift more than others, even when securely placed in a truck. Livestock, for example, and liquids in tanker trucks may shift more than many other types of loads. Correctly securing loads can help, but in some cases loads shift unexpectedly.

4) Rollovers. Trucks have higher centers of gravity than passenger cars, which can lead to rollovers, especially when it comes to fully loaded commercial trucks. When cargo is not correctly secured, the possibility of Tamarac rollover accidents is even higher.

5) Driver errors. A driver may make mistakes, such as driving too fast for a specific road or noticing that cargo is incorrectly secured but not asking handlers to rearrange or re-secure the cargo.

6) Falling cargo. In some instances, cargo falls from a truck or spills onto the road. In some cases, this causes secondary Tamarac car accidents. More seriously, in cases where a truck is carrying flammable or toxic chemicals, a spill can cause a fire or serious environmental disaster, threatening homes and businesses over a large area.

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Defensive Driving Can Prevent a Miami Gardens Truck Accident

Published on: September 27, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

In 2011, 9 out of 13 accidents involved a truck. No matter where you drive and how often you drive, the reality is that you need to be able to share the road safely with trucks if you hope to avoid a Miami Gardens traffic accident. According to experts, defensive driving – or driving with an eye to noticing hazards and preventing accidents – is the best way to prevent a Miami Gardens truck accident. There are many ways that you can drive defensively on the roads:

1) Pay attention. The first step of defensive driving is awareness. When approaching a truck, you need to be aware of it and its limitations. Trucks are much larger and drive differently when compared with passenger cars. They have more blind spots and take longer to brake, for example, making it very dangerous to drive right behind a truck.

2) Stay visible and let trucks pass you. To avoid a Miami Gardens car accident, keep in mind that truck drivers can only see you when you can see the driver. Stay out of trucks’ blind spots and let trucks pass you rather than driving near or immediately behind trucks.

3) If you have a car emergency or cannot put your full focus on the road, pull over and put your flashers on. Most truck drivers are responsible and careful on the roads, but each year Miami Gardens traffic accidents are caused by distracted truck drivers and car drivers. If you need to make a phone call or if your tire suddenly blows, pull over as much as you can to get out of the way of traffic. To make yourself visible to oncoming traffic, use your flashers or other signals.

4) Stay calm and focused. When driving, make sure that there are no distractions and try to avoid driving when you are upset. Driving is emotionally draining and can even be physically tiring. It is an activity that requires all of your attention. If you are upset or distracted, let someone else drive you.

5) Prepare for the unexpected when sharing the road with trucks. Delivery trucks may need to stop suddenly and commercial trucks sometimes blow a tire or experience brake failure. In many cases, truck drivers are making deliveries to areas they may not be familiar with, and this may mean that they are looking for street signs and numbers, possibly slowing down unexpectedly. When driving near trucks, keep in mind that they may do something you don’t expect – and it is up to you to respond quickly to avoid a Miami Gardens truck collision.

6) Brush up your driver skills with a defensive driving class. If it has been some time since you took a driver’s training class, especially, brushing up on your skills can help you correct any bad habits and learn new skills to stay safe on the roads.

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