Truck accidents occur every day in this nation from various causes. Many truck accidents in Florida are caused by drivers in passenger vehicles cutting large trucks off, but some truck crashes are caused by the negligence of the truck driver.
According to a report from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there are approximately 141,000 truck wrecks annually and about 77,000 of these crashes are caused by truck drivers. This means that over half of all truck accidents are caused by truck drivers. The report also revealed that one in twenty truckers will be involved in a truck crash at some point in their career.
The Main Causes of Trucking Accidents
For many years, fatigue and drowsy driving was the number one reason that truck drivers were involved in truck accidents in South Florida and throughout this nation. However, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that fatigue is still a factor, but it is found further down the list.
The top ten causes of truck crashes according to FMCSA include:
- 26% of truck accidents are linked to prescription drug use
- 23% of truck crashes are caused by traveling too fast or speeding
- 22% of trucking accidents occur because of unfamiliarity with the roadways
- 18% of truck wrecks are linked to over-the-counter drugs
- 14% of truck crashes are caused from inadequate surveillance
- 13% of truck accidents occur from fatigue and driving drowsy
- 9% of truck crashes are caused from making an illegal maneuver
- 8% of truck wrecks occur due to exterior distractions
- 7% of truck accidents happen because of inadequate evasive actions
- 7% of truck crashes are caused from aggressive driving
This top ten list shows that the number one reason and the number four cause of truck accidents in South Florida are linked to drug use – both prescription and over-the-counter medications. This list clearly indicates that drug use among truckers is prevalent.
Both prescription and over-the-counter drugs can cause dizziness, confusion, headaches, memory lapses and blurred vision. When a truck driver takes multiple drugs, medications can interact and cause a trucker to drive like he is impaired. Sadly, over-the-counter and prescription drugs have become a major problem in the trucking community and have been the cause of countless accidents.
If you were injured in a Fort Lauderdale truck wreck caused by a driver of an 80,000 pound semi, you most likely have been seriously injured. You may need compensation for your medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages and more. Contact a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale today at the Law Offices of David Benenfeld at (954) 677-0155, and receive a free legal consultation about your case.
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