Tampa Truck Accidents Increasing

Tractor trailer accidents in Tampa are becoming too common. Recently, a tractor trailer towing a backhoe hit the I-75 overpass at State Road 50 in Brooksville. Florida Highway Patrol said that the tractor trailer was loaded improperly and was over-height, so when the tractor trailer went under the overpass, the backhoe hit the concrete structure, causing a large amount of debris to fall on the road. Luckily, no one was injured. However, due to the damage to the I-75 overpass, transportation officials would not allow anyone to drive over or under it.

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Inexperienced & Negligent Truck Drivers

The reason for the increasing amount of tractor trailer accidents might be the result of less qualified commercial truck drivers on our roads. The American Trucking Association’s (ATA) latest survey reports that the shortage of truck drivers has grown to about 48,000 and could continue to increase as the industry expands and existing truck drivers retire and the truck driver turnover rate increases. With a driver turnover rate of 92%, the big trucks on our roadways are being operated by new and inexperienced drivers who have little knowledge of the areas around where they transport goods. Carrier companies have reported that one of the trucking industry’s biggest challenges is the lack of qualified driver applicants to fill the shortage.

A Tampa truck accident attorney understands that the lack of qualified and experienced truck drivers is detrimental and dangerous to the safety of other drivers. Truck drivers are becoming overworked because of the shortage and are likely to be driving under fatigued conditions. These long hours (which are likely improperly logged) pose dangerous risks as truck drivers are more likely to use drugs to stay alert while driving. Additionally, trucking companies and drivers are overloading cargo on trucks to attempt to make larger deliveries. Overloading trucks decreases brake effectiveness, requires longer stopping distances, increases the danger of rollovers, jackknifing, and spilling cargo, and increases the risk of structure damage to roadways.

Tampa Tractor Trailer Accident Attorneys—Capaz Law Firm

Truck accident litigation is complicated and complex. An experienced Tampa tractor trailer accident lawyer understands that there are many different parties who may be liable for the accident. If you or someone you know has been injured as the result of the negligence of a truck driver or trucking company, contact the Capaz Law Firm to speak with a large truck accident attorney in Tampa.