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Use care to avoid trucking accidents in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach

Large trucks are less maneuverable, have large blind spots, take longer to stop and they accelerate more slowly than other vehicles. Extra caution needs to be taken when driving around them to avoid a West Palm Beach trucking accident.

The Sun Sentinel reported a multi-vehicle crash on I-95 last Friday morning trapping a state trooper inside his patrol car.

The trooper was parked on the median conducting a crash investigation when his car was hit from behind. A dump truck had sideswiped a car that sent it into the trooper’s car. The trooper was trapped in his vehicle for almost 30 minutes and was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

The dump truck driver was found later and was charged with leaving the scene of the accident and property damage. The crash caused an estimated $30,000 in damages.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in 2008 that Florida had 4,227 vehicles involved in fatal crashes, 269 were large trucks. Nationally 380,000 large trucks were involved in accidents, causing 90,000 injuries and 4,229 deaths.

Progressive Insurance offers these safety tips when driving near large trucks:

-Large trucks have blind spots and the drivers have limited visibility behind the truck and along side it. Make sure the driver can see you; if you can see the driver or their mirrors then you are visible to the driver.

-If you are passing a truck or changing lanes, leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the truck once you are in front of it. A good rule to remember is to see the entire cab of the truck in your rear view mirror before getting into their lane.

-Pay attention to the truck driver’s turn signal. Large trucks usually need to make wide right turns. So it is not a good idea to try to pass a truck if their right turn signal is on.

-When trucks have light loads or on windy days their trailers can sway into your lane. Try not to drive for any length of time next to a large truck. Trucks can have tire blowouts sending treads all over the road. This added danger makes it important to keep a safe distance from the truck in case this happens to avoid the flying debris.

-Never get aggressive with a large truck. Braking suddenly or cutting a truck off is extremely dangerous. If a truck is being aggressive towards you, either get off at the next exit or slow down and let them pass by.

-The best way to remain safe driving next to large trucks on Florida roadways and interstates is to maintain patience and use extra caution.

If you have been injured in a Florida truck accident contact the Law Offices of Dean H. Freeman in West Palm Beach, Margate, Coral Gables, Hollywood, or Port St. Lucie. For a free consultation call 1-800-529-2368.

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