Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
Light trucks are often advertised as safe and rugged vehicle options. Many people in Miami like the idea of light trucks, since they can carry quite a bit and some drivers believe that they are safer than smaller passenger vehicles. However, the popularity of light trucks can mean Miami car accidents, since these vehicles have a number of safety hazards associated with them:
1) Many drivers are not trained to drive larger trucks. Most drivers learn to drive in passenger vehicles such as sedans and few drivers take formal driver training in light trucks. While light trucks, such as pickup trucks, are designed to handle similarly to passenger vehicles, the two types of vehicles are not the same. A driver not used to a light truck may be more at risk of a Miami truck accident simply because the vehicles are significantly different and in many cases drivers are not trained for this.
2) Many light trucks have multiple blind spots. Pickup trucks have more blind spots than passenger vehicles and in many cases carrying a larger load in the bed can also obscure visibility further. It becomes more important for the drivers of these vehicles to check blind spots regularly.
3) Light trucks are generally not designed to decelerate or brake rapidly. In other words, these vehicles handle differently than passenger vehicles but many drivers drive them in the same manner, without leaving extra room for stopping. Drivers in other vehicles may also not consider that light trucks and pickup trucks require more room to stop.
4) Light trucks may be designed to carry heavy loads, but drivers may not understand how to secure those loads correctly. Although this information is often contained in driver manuals, not all drivers carefully follow and read the instructions. This can cause drivers to overload their trucks, putting them at risk for tire blowouts. It can also mean that drivers may not correctly secure the cargo in their truck, which can cause a Miami car accident if the cargo spills on the road when the driver is driving.
5) Light trucks may be subject to Miami rollover accidents. Trucks have a higher center of gravity than passenger vehicles. This can make them more subject to rollovers, especially on uneven terrain and at high speeds.
Light truck manufacturers do make concerted efforts to make their vehicles safer. Today’s pickup trucks are designed to handle better and have more safety features than previous models. Nevertheless, there are some issues related to light trucks that drivers need to be aware of.
If you have been injured in a Miami truck accident involving a light truck, contact the Flaxman Law Group. The Flaxman Law Group legal team has worked with thousands of Florida personal injury and truck accident survivors and has resources to put to work for you. Your case may be worth more than you think. Contact the Flaxman Law Group today to arrange for a free accident consultation to discuss your case with a Miami personal injury attorney.