Item: Flaxman Law Group
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Author: Clara Barman

How Experts Believe Tanker Rollover Truck Accidents in Coral Springs can be Prevented

Published on: May 14, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

Tanker trucks are used to transport fuel, water, and other liquids. These trucks are also more prone to rollovers than cars and most commercial trucks. According to the CDC, tanker truck rollovers are the leading cause of traffic accident-related deaths for firefighters. Rollovers are also more likely than other truck accidents to lead to fires and serious injuries for truck drivers. The majority of these accidents can be prevented, according to experts, with just a few changes:

1) Regular tire maintenance. Tires that are incorrectly maintained increase the likelihood of a tire blowout and therefore a rollover. Tanker trucks are typically very hard on tires due to the weight of the cargo. It is therefore important to check tires every day for correct tire pressure and for wear and tear. Tires that are worn down may result in truck accidents in Coral Springs and other communities because worn tires are more likely to malfunction. Worn tires are also more likely to lead to collisions since tires without adequate treads can make it harder for a driver to stop without sliding. Tires that are overinflated or underinflated can also cause a tire blowout or can cause the truck driver to lose control of the vehicle.

2) Reducing speed. Many rollover accidents in Coral Springs and other communities are caused by excessive speeds. Although tankers can rollover at speeds as low as 5 miles per hour, in most cases these accidents do involve higher speeds. At higher speeds, it is harder for truck drivers to maintain control of their vehicle and taking turns at high speeds, especially, can lead to rollovers and other types of collisions.

3) Adequate training. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that tanker truck drivers get refresher courses at least twice a year and take part in ongoing training. Additional training is important in order to help prevent truck and car accidents in Coral Springs and other communities because tanker truck drivers need to be prepared to deal with shifting cargo and other risky situations on the road. In some cases, motor carriers pay for additional training and refresher courses for drivers. Drivers in many cases can also access training on their own.

4) Weight distribution. Part of the problem with tanker trucks is that the weight of the liquid shifts frequently, and when liquid sloshes up against the sides of the truck, this can cause imbalance in the weight and can increase the risk of a rollover. It is especially important to be very vigilant when tankers are only partially full. Tanker trucks that are only partly full are especially subject rollovers.

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Types of Injuries Commercial Drivers Can Sustain in Truck Crashes in North Miami

Published on: May 7, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

In most truck accidents in North Miami and Florida, passengers of the smaller cars involved in the collision are the ones most likely to suffer severe injuries. Each year, car passengers sustain serious tissue injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns, and head injuries in North Miami and across Florida due to truck accidents. The size and force of a truck is simply no match for a passenger vehicle, and passengers in smaller cars are likely to bear the brunt of the accident.

However, while truck drivers are more protected by their larger vehicle and by their cabs, truck driver fatalities do occur each year as a result of truck accidents in North Miami and other communities. In fact, long haul truck driving is considered among the more dangerous of professions because truck drivers can and do sustain serious injuries, including spinal cord injuries, burns, and fatalities each year.

According to statistics:

-Close to 600 truck drivers die annually in accidents on highways
-About 55% of all semi-truck accidents in which a driver is killed occur due to rollover accidents
-Driving flatbeds and tankers is considered one of the most dangerous jobs
-About 10% of all semi-truck accidents in which a driver is killed occur due to fuel oil fires
Fires are an especial concern for truck drivers working with tankers. Tankers may travel with 100 gallons of diesel fuel or other flammables, and while these materials are protected and while diesel oil is hard to ignite, when it does happen fatalities are likely. In most cases, diesel oil does not ignite because of a ruptured tank but rather because of a shorting out or damage of the battery box. Once the fuel does catch on fire, explosions can easily occur and in many cases a driver may have only seconds to escape the truck before sustaining life-threatening injury. In cases where a truck is carrying hazardous and flammable materials, a fire can cause wide-spread damage and serious injury to the driver and to many others in the vicinity. Due to the amount of fuel the average tanker carries, a fire involving a truck often burns fast and hot and can quickly get out of control.

Another issue that causes truck accidents and fatalities is rollovers. Commercial trucks are much more prone to rollovers than cars. Half-empty tankers are more prone to rollovers than semis and other large trucks. Speeding, road unevenness, and sharp turns can all increase the odds of a rollover. On slopes and in other higher-risk conditions, rollovers can occur even at speeds of 5 mph. In many cases, a cab does not offer adequate protection for the driver when a rollover occurs in North Miami or another community. In these types of accidents, the truck driver is likely to sustain head injuries and other serious injuries.

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New Study Could Suggest That Caffeine May Prevent Some Truck Accidents in Miami Springs and Other Communities

Published on: April 30, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

An Australian study published recently in the British Medical Journal found that truck drivers who consumed caffeine were less likely than other motorists to be involved in crashes, even when lack of sleep and other factors were accounted for. The study looked at 530 long distance commercial truck drivers who were involved in a crash between 2008 and 2011 and an additional 517 truck drivers who had not had an accident in the past twelve months. The researchers at The George Institute at the University of Sydney conducted interviews to determine how much caffeine each truck driver consumed as well as the health and demographics of each driver.

According to researchers, 85% of truck drivers who were involved in accidents didn’t consume energy drinks regularly. 78% of truck drivers involved in accidents did not drink any caffeine. However, 51% of truck drivers who did not have an accident in the past year didn’t drink caffeine.

The research is compelling, but could caffeine really help prevent truck accidents in Miami Springs and across Florida? The researchers from the study agree that more research needs to be done about the effects of caffeine on fatigued driving and truck accidents. Most experts also agree that fatigued driving is a leading cause of truck accidents and car accidents in Miami Springs and across the country. Fatigued driving causes many dangerous situations for drivers:

1) Fatigued driving slows response times. According to some research studies, response times of heavily fatigued drivers are similar to those of drunk drivers. However, while there is a great deal of education and a great deal of social pressure not to drink and drive, fatigued driving is just seen as a reality caused by hectic lifestyles. Not all drivers are aware of the risks of driving when sleepy.

2) Fatigued driving increases the risk of driver errors. We are all more likely to make errors when we are tired, but making errors behind the wheel can lead to a serious pedestrian accident in Miami Springs or your community. Drivers who are tired may make obvious errors such as failing to signal, changing lanes without checking for oncoming traffic, ignoring traffic lights, and other major mistakes.

3) Fatigued drivers may fall into micro sleeps. According to sleep disorder experts, when the human body is very tired, it shuts down for very small increments of time – often just seconds or fractions of a second – as it struggles to cope with extreme fatigue. Unfortunately, when this happens behind the wheel of a car, it can cause a serious traffic accident.

4) Fatigued drivers may fall asleep at the wheel. Each year, traffic accidents in Miami Springs and across the country occur because a driver falls asleep behind the wheel of their truck or car and heads into oncoming traffic or another vehicle.

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Who is Responsible for Truck Accidents in Miami Beach?

Published on: April 18, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

Over the past three and a half decades, truck accident fatalities across the country have declined dramatically, but experts say that much still needs to be done to make the roads even safer. According to personal injury attorneys in Miami Beach, one way to reduce the number of truck accidents in Miami Beach and other communities is to pursue those who are responsible or liable for accidents. In many cases, holding liable parties accountable for accidents helps to bring about important safety changes while also securing fair compensation for victims who sustain serious injuries in a collision.

Who is responsible for traffic accidents in Miami Beach and other communities? Traditionally, passenger car drivers have taken the brunt of the blame. According to 2002 research from the AAA, four out of five car crashes involving trucks are caused by passenger car drivers. In 2010, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported that 87% of all head-on crashes involving commercial trucks were caused by passenger car drivers.
According to experts, there are many reasons why car drivers cause so many crashes:

1) Truck drivers must pass driving tests and written tests to get a license. Getting a commercial driver’s license requires much more practical knowledge and testing. In contrast, getting a driver’s license for a passenger vehicle is usually a fairly simple process. In fact, teens and new drivers applying for a driver’s license may need less than a dozen hours of in-car training in some states in order to get a license, and in some cases that instruction does not include one-on-one instruction but rather instruction with a group of other learners. Although experts agree that graduated licensing and increased requirements for driver’s licenses for passenger cars can help reduce the number of car accidents in Miami Beach and across Florida, experts also agree that more must be done to ensure that new drivers get plenty of experience and instruction in order to build good driving habits.

2) Truck drivers in many cases drive over 10 000 miles monthly, making them the more experienced drivers on the road. Passenger car drivers may not drive as much, and this lack of experience can lead to traffic accidents in Miami Beach and across Florida. Lack of experience is one reason why teen drivers have higher crash rates than older drivers, for example.

3) Car drivers do not get ongoing driver education. Most motor carriers offer cash incentives to drivers with good safety records and an interest in more training. Drivers with poor safety records have a harder time finding employment. In contrast, many passenger car drivers only get instruction once – when they apply for their driver’s license. In fact, many drivers on the road in Florida got their driver’s license decades ago, and have not received additional or supplementary training even though traffic laws, traffic conditions, and driving conditions have changed substantially in that time period. Experts agree that ongoing training for drivers as well as refresher courses might help prevent traffic accidents.

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Reducing Road Stress Could Help Reduce Instances of Car and Truck Accidents in Coral Gables

Published on: April 12, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

According to the National Council on Compensation Insurance, traffic accident injuries and fatalities have dropped over the past few years, largely because unemployment means that fewer people drive to work and there are fewer trucks and shipments on the road. As the economy recovers, there is more road traffic and fewer people using public transport, and that can increase the risk of accidents. In Coral Gables and South Florida, the recovering economy can also mean more tourists and more traffic during certain seasons, which can also increase the risk of collisions.

Added traffic on the roads and less use of public transportation can mean more stress on the roads. At a time when many drivers are driving longer distances in order to take advantage of more job opportunities, especially, driver stress during commutes is a real concern – and can be a cause of car and truck accidents in Coral Gables and other Florida communities. To help protect yourself, make sure that you:

1) Avoid distracted driving. If you suddenly have to drive further to work because of a new job or if you are returning to driving after using public transportation for a while, it may be tempting to find something to do while you drive. However, distracted driving is a key cause of truck and car accidents in Coral Gables and across Florida. When you get behind the wheel of a car, make sure that you can focus fully on the drive.

2) Spread out driving responsibility. If you must drive a lot, consider taking public transport part of the time or carpooling. These options are not only more environmentally friendly and cost conscious, but they can also reduce driver stress, road rage, and the risk of traffic accidents in Coral Gables or your community. When you allow someone else to drive part of the time, you can read a newspaper, focus on your mobile device, or get other tasks done while commuting. Having someone else take care of the driving part of the time also reduces the amount of driver stress you experience and may reduce your risk of a crash.

3) Take care of your health and never drive tired. During the morning commute, especially, fatigue, stress, and illness can be a disastrous combination that can lead to a car collision. When you have to share the road with trucks, especially, you need to stay alert because these larger vehicles take longer to break and stop. If you’re tired, unwell, or are not feeling at your best, it is best to take public transport or rely on someone else to drive you to your destination.

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Recovering From Long Term Injuries: Dealing with the Aftereffects of a Truck Collision in Homestead

Published on: April 9, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

Truck accidents in Homestead and other South Florida communities cause devastating injuries each year. In many cases, due to the size and force of a truck, truck collisions are more likely than car collisions in Homestead to result in long-term and permanent injury. Some of the more serious injuries caused by truck accidents include:

1) Brain injuries. Brain injuries can occur if a passenger in a vehicle strikes their head against the dashboard or other hard surface during the collision. Head injuries can also occur if a passenger is strongly shaken during the collision, which can cause the brain to crash up against the hard skull surface, causing bleeding and bruising to the brain. Brain injuries can result in memory loss, speech problems, vision loss, unconsciousness, and other serious injuries. Head injuries in Homestead and other South Florida cities can easily become fatal or can cause permanent injury, leaving the victim unable to work.

2) Spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries after a truck accident can leave someone paralyzed, with greatly reduced mobility, or even with fatal injuries. Spinal cord injuries are extremely expensive to treat, and spinal cord injuries in Homestead and other South Florida cities can cost up to $100,000 in the first year of treatment alone.

3) Burn injuries. Burn injuries can be one of the most difficult injuries to sustain in a traffic accident in Homestead. These injuries can cause muscle damage and mobility issues, and may also leave the victim devastated and unable to return to work. These injuries can also cause extreme pain.

All of these permanent injuries can result in long term financial impact as well as loss of mobility and other skills. The immediate emergency medical care and long-term medical care of these injuries can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars or even millions of dollars over a lifetime. Patients may require rehabilitation, surgeries, consultations with specialists, and many other types of treatment. The financial impact can be devastating. In addition, most of these injuries will result in loss of wages or even long-term loss of income. Most patients can take months or years to recover from serious injuries after a truck accident. In some cases, patients are unable to return to their jobs because their mobility issues and injuries affect their ability to do their job. In these cases, patients may be either completely unable to work or may be returning to lower paying jobs at the same time as they are facing increased medical bills.

If you have been seriously injured in a truck or car accident in Homestead or another South Florida community, you will want to:

1) Seek professional help. You will want to seek expert medical help to increase the chances that you will recover as fully as possible from your injuries. You also want to consult with a personal injury attorney in Homestead or your community in order to get professional legal advice to protect your finances and your future.

2) Seek counseling and emotional support. Being in a traffic accident in Homestead can be a devastating experience. Seeking the help of a support group, counselor, or other resources can help you deal with the emotional impact and can help you find the resources you need to heal.

3) Seek compensation. In many cases, the financial impact of a serious accident can last for years. If your accident was caused by someone’s negligence, you have the legal right in Florida to seek compensation to help reduce the financial devastation of your accident.

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Jackknife Truck Accidents in South Miami and Other Florida Cities

Published on: April 4, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

Jackknife truck accidents occur when the tractor and the trailer of a commercial truck form an “L” or “V” shape because the two components fall out of sync with each other. These types of truck accidents are often caused by:

1) Bad weather. Bad weather – such as slippery roads – can cause truck drivers to lose control of their car. In many cases, this can cause a car or truck accident in South Miami or another Florida city. The size and force of a commercial truck is much larger than that of a passenger car, so when a truck slips on the roads, the results can be devastating. Commercial trucks may also be more subject to these issues because fully loaded trucks place severe strain on truck tires. Truck tires can wear down more readily than typical tires if a truck is overloaded, and worn-down tires can put a truck more at risk of accidents.

2) Speeding. Another common cause of truck accidents and car accidents in South Miami and other South Florida cities is speeding. With a commercial truck, especially, speeding can be extremely dangerous. Trucks take longer to stop when compared with smaller vehicles, so speeding can make it impossible for a truck driver to react in time in order to prevent a collision. In addition, the size and weight of a truck can easily cause the truck driver to lose control of the vehicle if he or she is speeding. Speeding also places additional pressure on truck tires and brakes, increasing the risk of a tire blowout or brake failure, which can also cause a truck to veer out of control and jackknife.

3) Road problems. Road issues – including significant potholes, roadwork, and incorrect maintenance of roads – can cause a truck to lose control and can result in a devastating truck accident. In cases where road problems contribute to a traffic accident in South Miami or another South Florida community, injured parties do have the right to seek compensation. They can seek compensation against the truck motor carrier, the truck driver, and even the municipality where the accident took place and where the road was not correctly maintained.

Truck accidents in South Miami and across South Florida cause devastating injuries and fatalities each year. Victims who suffer broken bones, soft tissue injuries, spinal cord injuries, and head injuries in South Miami and other communities due to truck accidents may lose wages and work and may face devastating medical costs. In some cases, pursuing a legal claim can help victims recover these costs so that they do not need to pay them out of pocket. Although car insurance can cover some of the costs, many victims find they have trouble recovering compensation for long-term costs and damages without an attorney. An attorney can launch a legal claim, can advise you of your rights, and can even negotiate with insurance carriers for a fairer insurance amount.

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What Causes Truck Collisions in Miami Springs and Across Florida?

Published on: April 2, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), about 77 000 truck accidents across the country each year are caused by truck driver error. The most common errors, according to the FMCSA, are:

1) Prescription drug use. According to the FMCSA, about 26% of truck accidents are caused by prescription drugs. While truck drivers are subject to strict rules regarding the use of illegal substances and drugs, some drivers do not investigate over-the-counter and prescription medication, which can cause serious side effects such as drowsiness and fatigue. Illegal and legal drugs cause many truck and car accidents in Miami Springs and Florida each year.

2) Speeding. The FMCSA reports that 23% of truck accidents are linked to speeding. FMCSA had strict rules about speeding, including regulation 392.6: “No motor carrier shall…require the operation of any commercial motor vehicle…in such period of time as would necessitate the commercial motor vehicle being operated at speeds greater than those prescribed by the jurisdictions in or through which the commercial motor vehicle is being operated.” However, truck drivers sometimes feel pressured to speed in order to meet deadlines or in order to earn a fairer wage.

3) Map reading. This common cause of accidents causes 22% of truck collisions. Truck drivers often must make deliveries to areas they may not be familiar with and this requires them to read a map or use GPS. When truck drivers take their eyes off the road to read a map, car and truck accidents in Miami Springs are likely. Some experts believe that voice-activated GPS devices can help, but other experts warn that the devices can be just as distracting.

4) Use of over-the-counter medications. The FMCSA reports that this contributes to 18% of truck accidents.

5) Fatigued driving. This factor contributes to 13% of truck accidents on a national scale. Truck drivers may be especially prone to fatigued driving because they are on the road for long periods of time, must make deadlines, and often lead a fairly sedentary lifestyle.

6) Not obeying the rules of the road. According to the FMCSA, this contributes to 9% of truck accidents. Violation of traffic rules leads to many traffic accidents in Miami Springs and across the country. While truck drivers are especially trained to obey traffic rules – and while the consequences for breaking the rules are more serious for truck drivers than for the average motorist – truck drivers do sometimes speed, run red lights, or break other rules of the road.

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What Puts Truckers in North Miami and Other Florida Cities at Risk of Fatigue-Related Accidents?

Published on: March 29, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

Truck drivers face a lot of pressure on the job, and unfortunately there are news items almost every month about truck drivers who have caused a serious accident or even fatalities by falling asleep at the wheel. Fatigue-related related truck accidents in North Miami and across South Florida are a fact of life. However, most of the reasons behind these accidents are completely preventable. Fatigue-related traffic accidents in North Miami and Florida are most often caused by:

1) Sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can affect anyone. Sufferers face interrupted sleep throughout the night, but often cannot remember waking up multiple times when they wake in the morning. People who have sleep apnea are often extremely fatigued throughout the day and may even fall asleep during the day because they are not getting adequate rest at night. This common, treatable condition causes many truck and car accidents in North Miami and across the country.

2) A sedentary lifestyle and fast food on the go. Truck drivers often spend the majority of their life on the road. Since they’re sitting in their trucks and often relying on fast food or restaurant food for meals, the unhealthy lifestyle can contribute to a variety of health conditions – including sleep apnea – that can affect driving ability and can lead to sleepiness.

3) Shift work. Studies have shown that workers who work in shifts are more prone to extreme fatigue, falling asleep at the job, and other health dangers. Truck drivers often drive in shifts because they have deadlines to meet, and this can cause extreme fatigue or can even cause a truck driver to fall asleep behind the wheel of their truck.

4) Long haul drives. We rely on trucks to get customer products and goods across the country and across the continent. Unfortunately, this often means long haul drives, which puts extra pressure on truck drivers and can mean fatigued drivers. Federal rules require truck drivers to take frequent rests and to get adequate sleep. However, enforcing these rules is often challenging. In some cases, drivers break the rules or motor carriers pressure drivers to break the rules to ensure that products get to their destination on time.

5) Tight deadlines. Many truck drivers have to get their cargo to a specific destination by a specific time. Many things can slow them down, including bad weather, traffic, and other issues. When drivers are pushed to make a delivery on time, they may get less sleep or may take less stringent care of themselves, which can lead to fatigued driving and possible accidents.

6) Highway hypnosis. Long periods of driving can lead to highway hypnosis, which can easily lead to a truck driver falling asleep behind the wheel of a truck, especially if he or she is already tired.

7) Medication and illegal substances. Some medication and drugs – including illegal drugs – cause fatigue and sleepiness, which can be very dangerous for truck drivers.

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Truck Accidents on Construction Sites in Miami and Other Communities

Published on: March 27, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

Construction sites are everywhere across South Florida, and in many cases they are a positive sign of economic growth and population expansion. Unfortunately, construction sites can also lead to many workplace accidents in Miami and other communities. Construction sites are also common sites for truck accidents. There many types of traffic accidents that can occur on construction sites:

1) Crane accidents. Crane accidents in Miami are one of the more common types of construction site-related accidents. Cranes can easily tip over, causing severe injury. They can also run over construction workers and employees on the ground work and drop heavy materials onto workers below. Crane accidents are likely to lead to fatalities and permanent injuries.

2) Traffic accidents caused by traffic congestion and poor signage. Inevitably, construction sites often cause traffic congestion and problems. In many cases, traffic needs to be diverted around the construction area or lanes are narrowed as workers complete their construction project. Construction crews are expected to provide proper signs to help pedestrians and motorists navigate the construction site safely. When construction site owners do not adequately warn drivers and this from negligence leads to a car or truck accident in Miami, the victims who have been injured can seek compensation through a legal claim.

3) Back-over accidents. Most construction sites have multiple workers on the ground as well as many types of equipment and trucks. Unfortunately, the combination of pedestrians and truck traffic can be disastrous. If both truck drivers and workers are not cautious, a truck or other piece of heavy equipment can easily back over a worker, causing death or serious injury.

4) Accidents caused by debris. Debris is an inevitable fact of construction sites. Whether construction crews are remodeling an existing structure or building from scratch, various types of debris can be found on the ground, including glass, tools, building materials, nails, and more. Heavy debris can cause truck accidents, equipment accidents, and minor accidents and injuries to construction workers. Construction site owners have an obligation to ensure that proper cleanup occurs on all construction sites to keep workers safe. Employees also have an obligation to wear the right safety equipment (including hard hats, work boots, and other equipment) to stay safe.

If your a construction worker and have been injured on a construction site in Miami, workers compensation in Miami may not cover the full cost of your injuries. If you have been seriously injured, especially, you may face hundreds of thousands of dollars in long-term medical bills, lost income, and other expenses. Before you make any decisions in your case, you will want to speak to a personal injury attorney in Miami about all your options.

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