The highways and back roads of Florida are inundated with traffic. You just can't get around it. A lot of the vehicles you see on the roads in Florida are tractor-trailers. These large trucks are vital to the state's economy. Despite this, too many accidents involve tractor-trailers for various reasons, including distracted driving.
Yet, some accidents are avoidable. For example, on your way home from work you rear-end a truck because the driver is on his phone and comes to a sudden complete stop. So now your car is totaled, the airbags deploy, and you have bruises all over. Our Miami truck accident attorney shares how you can spot the signs of a distracted truck driver in this post.
1. Long Pauses at Stop Signs and Traffic Lights
An all too common sign of a distracted driver is when you come across a truck at an intersection controlled by a stop sign or traffic light that pauses too long. For example, the truck in front of you is stopped but takes longer than three seconds to accelerate after the light changes from red to green.
It's typical for trucks and other vehicles at the top of an intersection to delay their start. It helps to make sure that no vehicles are running the red light in the opposite direction. It typically takes roughly three seconds to ensure no cars are headed for the intersection. If the truck in front of you takes more than approximately five seconds to begin accelerating, it's a good sign that the driver is distracted by something.
2. Frequent and Sudden Braking
When you are traveling behind a big rig, take note of the braking patterns exhibited by the truck driver. If the truck shows frequent and sudden braking, no matter the traffic volume, it's a strong sign that the driver is distracted.
The frequent braking typically occurs because the driver isn't paying attention long enough to know what is happening in front of him or her. The sudden braking occurs because the driver looked up from a phone or map and noticed the traffic in front had stopped.
3. Headphones in the Truck Driver's Ears
Should you pass a truck driver who has headphones in their ears, they are without a doubt distracted. Driving with headphones in can cause a driver to have difficulty hearing the sirens of emergency vehicles, horns of other cars, and can lead the driver to focus on what is playing instead of the task at hand, which is safely operating the truck.
4. Veering Away from Center
The center of the road is marked with either single or double yellow lines. The side of the road is marked with a solid white line. If you encounter a truck that veers away from the center yellow lines, either too far to the right or too far to the left, you are in the presence of a distracted driver. The same can be said when it comes to the truck operating too close or on top of the white line on the side of the road.
Retain a Knowledgeable Miami Lawyer for a Truck Accident Case
Only a competent personal injury attorney is familiar with the regulations governing the trucking industry and the evidence-gathering process in these complex cases.
No matter the severity of your injuries, it is essential to secure legal representation from attorneys who have experience in this area of the law.
If a careless commercial driver has hit you, our principal attorney at The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary can:
- Evaluate your case
- Devise a strategy
- Pursue fair compensation