Drivers face an increased risk of injury or death when involved in a Sarasota truck accident. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, accidents involving large trucks - often referred to as tractor-trailers, semis, or 18-wheelers - have the highest number of deaths per mile. Even if not fatal, the injuries suffered by Sarasota truck crash victims are often severe. The following is a list of factors that contribute to the dangerousness of Florida truck wrecks:
  • Truck drivers who do not receive adequate training and fulfill necessary requirements for operating large vehicles carrying heavy cargo
  • Transport companies which impose compensation systems that encourage faster driving
  • Poor scheduling that imposes unrealistic expectations on drivers
  • Difficulty braking that takes between 20 and 40 percent longer than other motor vehicles
  • Large blind spots that make it difficult for truck drivers to see other motorists
  • Truck design which renders the vehicle highly unstable, with a high center of gravity and a tendency to tip
  • Heavyweight of the truck, which makes maneuvering difficult
  • Extreme difference in size between the truck and other motor vehicles, causing the smaller vehicles to incur greater damage in an accident
  • Falling or spilling cargo, which can strike other vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed

In addition to the above factors, truck drivers can contribute to the dangerousness of Sarasota truck wrecks by:

  • Operating the truck under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Failing to get adequate sleep by not following the standards imposed by federal hours-of-service laws
  • Failing to keep up with required maintenance
  • Improperly loading cargo or freight
  • Failing to abide by truck safety protocol
  • Driving the truck while distracted

Trucks are dangerous when not properly operated. If you were injured in an accident, it is essential that you contact an experienced Sarasota truck accident attorney to discuss your rights. Complete our online submission form or call our office at (888) 409-3805 for a complimentary consultation.

Damian Mallard, Esq.
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Board Certified Sarasota Personal Injury Attorney