In Florida, truck accident statistics every year are horrifying and disturbing. Damages from a truck accident can be devastating. The bigger the truck, the more damage it can cause, and the victims involved most often suffer severe and catastrophic injuries.
A total of 5,237 fatal crashes involving heavy commercial trucks and buses were reported by the Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the year 2019. However, the number dropped by 1.3% in the year 2020. A lot of damage was caused by these collisions.
If you or your loved ones involve in a truck accident due to the truck driver’s negligence, it is possible to get compensation for the personal and financial struggles you’ve faced. After a serious truck accident, contact a personal injury and truck accident lawyer to help you with your claims for your rightful compensation for damages.
7 Facts and Stats About Florida Truck Accidents
Trucks are one of the most used means of transporting goods because they are more in demand and a preferable way for shipping goods. And as more people choose to send their goods via trucks, there has been an increase in Florida trucking accidents.
Every year, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issues an accident statistics study that describes the many kinds of collisions that took place in the state over the year.
In 2020, 341,399 motor vehicle accidents were reported, according to data for the year. About 3,098 were fatal accidents, and 3,332 people lost their lives. Out of that number, medium- and heavy-duty trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds were responsible for the following:
- 29 fatalities
- 111 incapacitating injuries among drivers
- 789 possible injuries among drivers
- 389 non-incapacitating injuries among drivers
- 23 incapacitating injuries among passengers
- 168 possible injuries among passengers
- 74 non-incapacitating injuries among passengers
The Common Causes of Florida truck accidents.
1. Distracted driving
Distracted driving is a major cause of truck accidents in Florida. Driving a truck requires a lot of concentration; drivers should focus on the road and avoid distractions. Truck drivers can be distracted by their phones, food, using a navigation system, fiddling with the stereo, etc.
The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported 333 distracted driving fatalities in 2021. In the previous year, they said that a total of 299 people lost their lives as a result of distracted driving.
2. Speeding
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data indicates over 21 percent of truck drivers involved in fatal crashes have at least one previous speeding conviction. This means that speeding is dangerous and is another major cause of truck accidents in Florida. Compared to a passenger vehicle, speeding is more dangerous for trucks. Due to the momentum a truck accumulates, it doesn’t respond quickly to sudden changes in speed or direction, thereby giving the driver less control.
Truck drivers should reduce their load because the heavier the shipment, the harder it is for the truck driver to stop or turn suddenly. There are strict guidelines on the amount of cargo a truck can carry. Violations of these guidelines can prove the negligence of the driver.
3. Fatigue/Drowsy driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving contributed to 91,000 crashes that were recorded by the police in 2017. Most truck drivers spend the whole day on the road under pressure to deliver their goods on time. These may cause them to fall asleep or get drowsy while driving. Truck drivers who continue to go when tired will have slower reflexes, difficulty concentrating, longer reaction times, and a higher risk of falling asleep behind the wheel.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has instructed that there should be mandatory breaks during working hours to reduce the number of accidents caused by fatigue. If a truck driver disobeys this instruction and it causes an accident, the driver is held liable for negligence.
4. Poor Truck Maintenance
A truck needs regular maintenance and necessary safety inspections. Negligent maintenance often leads to mechanical issues, tire blowouts, dead headlights, and brake failures. FMCSA oversees the maintenance, repair, and safety inspection of large trucks. They also deal with various maintenance-related issues, including proper lubrication, pre-road reviews by truck drivers, and compulsory training for people who work on safety-sensitive equipment in a truck.
According to data from the National Highway Road Safety Administration, maintenance-related issues account for 20% of all road accidents. This means that poor maintenance is one of the major causes of road accidents.
Do you need a Florida Truck Accident lawyer?
A truck accident can be catastrophic, leaving victims with severe financial and personal struggles. After a serious truck accident, it is necessary to work with the right truck accident lawyer. They will help you pursue the proper compensation you and your loved ones deserve.