Careless Maneuvers By Truck Drivers That Can Lead To Serious Accidents
Michael Babboni
Trucking Accidents
Trying to navigate the crowded public roadways of Florida can be challenging. However, it can be even more difficult if there is a massive truck present trying to make it from point A to point B.From traffic congestion to road hazards and inclement weather, many things can get in the way of Florida drivers. Today, we will take a closer look at some of the more careless maneuvers being made by truck drivers that can lead to serious accidents.
Tailgating
How often do you see a semi-truck following another vehicle too closely or vice versa? It happens more frequently than some care to admit. When a semi-truck driver maneuvers their truck too closely to other vehicles on the road, it puts everyone at risk and can cause an accident.
Tailgating limits one's ability to safely stop quickly if needed. This is largely due to the weight and the size of semi-trucks. When they need to brake, there is much more momentum pushing them forward and it takes longer for them to come to a stop.
For safety, there should be several car lengths between a semi-truck and other vehicles. Doing so allows for more efficient braking in the case of an emergency and will enable all the vehicles to gradually slow down instead of having to come to a complete stop quickly.
Switching Lanes
Whenever someone switches lanes, there is a fair amount of risk involved. However, it can be more dangerous in specific scenarios when visibility may be a concern. When a semi-truck switches lanes, the driver has to maneuver a 70-foot truck that weighs several thousand pounds because of the vehicle itself and the freight it is carrying. They also have more blind spots than drivers in smaller vehicles have, which makes it harder and more dangerous for them to switch lanes.
Approaching Yellow Lights
If a truck is coming up to a yellow light, it is far more dangerous for them to try to make it through instead of stopping. As the truck picks up speed to make it through the light, it can end up rear-ending vehicles in front of them, especially if the front vehicle is coming to a stop for the light. They also won't be able to brake as quickly.
Making U-Turns
Making a U-turn is another challenging and dangerous maneuver for a truck driver, and it takes a fair amount of time to complete. If they realize they are traveling in the wrong direction, they may need to correct this by turning around. However, due to the incredible weight and length of the trailer, this can be tricky, depending on where they are trying to turn. They need to cross all lanes of traffic to turn around successfully, and this can put other vehicles on the road at risk.
As you can see, some of the maneuvers semi-truck drivers make, although legal, can still put others on the road in danger if proper care, focus, and attention are not given. If you have been involved in an accident with a truck due to negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.
Passing Other Vehicles
Passing other vehicles on the road is another tricky maneuver as well. Not only do truck drivers have to worry about their blind spots, but they also have to worry about the cars in front of them. At any point in these maneuvers, something can go wrong and ultimately cause catastrophic damage.
It never hurts to consult with a reputable and experienced personal injury attorney about your case to see if you can file a claim. While some of the moves mentioned aren't necessarily careless, they can be when proper precautions are not made.