South Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
While the trucking industry throughout the country is consistently growing, the increasing presence of the online marketplace in combination with the pandemic has resulted in significant truck transport. Although trucking transport is a preferable way of shipping goods, the demand has brought on a surge in Florida trucking accidents. There has been an over 50% rise in truck accidents over the last decade, and various agencies that study truck accident statistics report that truck accidents will likely become the fifth largest cause of death in the country. Currently, nearly 75% of fatal vehicle accidents involve a large truck.
For instance, an Associated Press article described a harrowing, deadly Florida truck accident. According to reports, a tractor-trailer slammed into a vehicle on U.S. 27. The vehicle was carrying two adults and seven children. A teenage boy in the vehicle died, and six children suffered injuries. The truck driver sustained minor injuries in the accident.
Statistics by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that Florida is one of ten states that comprise half of all deadly truck accidents in the country every year. While truck accidents occur all over the state, certain areas such as Ft. Myers, Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakeland, Auburndale, and Naples have a higher rate of truck accidents. Moreover, the research suggests that driver error was responsible for over 90% of truck accidents. At the same time, road conditions and defective vehicles account for around 6% of truck accidents.
Driver error includes various types of conduct or omissions; however, truck driver fatigue is a rising cause for concern. Although driver fatigue has been a topic of research over many years, the pressures of the pandemic in conjunction with supply shortages have put additional pressures on companies and, in turn, their drivers to produce and deliver products. Moreover, some companies are offering bonuses to drivers if they can reach delivery goals. Naturally, this incites drivers to drive faster for longer stretches. These often unattainable and dangerous goals frequently create a perfect storm involving an influx of large trucks operated by tired drivers, driving at higher speeds.
Various safety agencies prompt companies to engage in strict safety measures. However, these accidents continue to cause deadly conditions for motorists, pedestrians, and bystanders. Those who suffer injuries in a truck accident should consult with an experienced attorney to discuss their rights and remedies.
Contact a Florida Truck Accident Attorney Today
If you or someone you know has suffered injuries or died in a Florida truck accident, contact the injury lawyers at Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada. It is essential that injury vicitms take the time to hire the right attorney for these types of challenging cases. The lawyers at our firm have extensive experience successfully representing clients and securing favorable outcomes. In addition to Florida truck accident cases, the firm handles claims involving car accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability, medical malpractice, and products liability. Our attorneys maintain a reputation for competitive and aggressive representation with integrity. Contact our office at 877-448-8585 to schedule a free initial consultation with a Florida accident attorney on our legal team.