Most Common Types Of Florida Tractor-Trailer Accidents
Tractor-trailers share the road with many different types of vehicles. While most of these interactions are safe and brief, it is a truism that accidents involving large trucks tend to lead to higher numbers of injuries and fatalities than those without – the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that only 5 percent of all registered vehicles are large trucks, but those vehicles figure in 13 percent of all fatal crashes. There are several different types of tractor-trailer accidents that may occur on Florida roads, but some are easier to avoid and carry less potential for life-changing injury.
Rear-End Accidents. This is arguably the most common type of large truck accident, and it occurs when a truck strikes the back of another vehicle. Liability is contingent on the specific facts of the situation, as either the truck driver or the driver of the stopped vehicle may be at fault for the crash itself – but it is usually the driver and passengers in the stopped vehicle who sustain the most severe injuries, as it is not uncommon for a smaller vehicle to wind up under the trailer of a large truck.
Rollover Crashes. Rollovers are the most likely type of accident to involve only one vehicle, but it is possible for them to occur when one vehicle causes another to swerve or lose control, even if the first vehicle is not damaged. Rollover accidents are also among the most deadly tractor-trailer crashes, causing the highest number of fatalities. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that while rollovers account for around 3 percent of crashes, they result in approximately one-third of all occupant deaths. A rollover accident occurs when a vehicle ‘trips’ or flips onto its top or side.
Jackknifes. Tractor-trailers are made up of two separate pieces, connected by a “fifth wheel” mechanism linking them together. A jackknife accident occurs when a driver brakes too quickly and their vehicle ‘locks up’ so that the two parts are no longer operating in sync. The result is often that the trailer “jackknifes” out across lanes of traffic, striking other vehicles.
Defective Parts. Accidents may also occur due to defective parts on the tractor-trailer, or due to improper maintenance of those parts, with the most common being tires and air brakes. A tire blowout can not only hobble a tractor-trailer; it may also injure pedestrians or other drivers who suddenly have to drive (or otherwise make their way) over tire debris in traffic. If you suspect that your accident was caused by a defective tractor-trailer part, you may look into filing suit against not only the trucker and trucking company, but also against the manufacturer or seller of the part in question. Each case is different, but in some, these people may bear a share of liability.
Contact A Tampa Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorney
If you are involved in a tractor-trailer accident in Florida, and you suspect that negligence played a part in causing it, you have the right to seek damages for what you have been through. A Tampa tractor-trailer accident attorney from the Rinaldo Law Group can help answer any questions you have about the legal process, and protect your rights in court. Call our office today for a free consultation.
Source:
fmcsa.dot.gov/ourroads/large-trucks-and-buses-numbers
