Who Are The Most Dangerous Tractor-Trailer Drivers?
Aside from traveling salesmen, tractor-trailer drivers spend more time on the road than any other driver. By nature of the simple numbers that truck drivers are on the road, they are most likely to get in a serious accident. Nationwide, out of the reportedly 15,000 collisions that involve tractor-trailers, over 600 of their drivers die every year.
Florida tractor-trailer drivers haul loads weighing at least at least 26,000 pounds. The US Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate that the average tractor trailer driver makes $18 per hour, which equates to over $37,000 annually.
Florida truck drivers lead a less than glamorous lifestyle, spending days and weeks alone and hundreds of miles apart from their homes and families. That being said, since the truck becomes the driver’s “home away from home,” drivers frequently find themselves quite comfortable within their own space. Tractor-trailer drivers often engage in dangerous driving behaviors, simply out of habit. Below is a list of behaviors commonly found in people who are dangerous drivers of tractor-trailers:
- Texting while driving
- Driving too many hours
- Speeding
- Overloading
- Falling asleep at wheel
- Unsafe lane changes
Living the life of a truck driver is lonely. And since truck drivers answer to large parent companies that monitor driving logs, they rarely make time to pull off the side to have a friendly texting chat with the wife and kids. Studies reveal that truck drivers remove their eyes from the road and place them onto the phone for at least five seconds during any one text.
While five seconds may not seem like all that long to some drivers of passenger cars, it equals an eternity in trucking time. Consider the weight and speed of a tractor-trailer. Five seconds may amount to a fraction of one mile, but much farther by the time it is able to come to a screeching halt. As statistics show, texting and truck drivers don’t mix. They are often fatal.
Don’t Hesitate to Call!
Serious injuries which result from tractor-trailer accidents generally include head injury, brain trauma, multiple fractures, spinal injuries, and death. If you have been involved in a trucking accident in South Florida, chances are you have sustained serious injuries from a life-threatening experience. In a worst case scenario, you may have a friend or loved one who suffered wrongful death from a trucking accident that was caused by a dangerous truck driver.
It is essential to speak with an experienced South Florida Trucking Accident Attorney who has expert understanding of causes and liability. Individuals who have fallen victim to trucking accidents often find it quite a daunting task to deal with large insurance companies. A skilled Broward County trucking accident attorney can help you prepare your paperwork to get the results you are looking for.
Contact the Law Offices of David Benenfeld to find out what your legal rights are and how to receive help. Call: 954-677-0155 to meet with a skilled trucking accident attorney.
