What You Might Not Know About Florida Truck Accidents

Big rig accidents are an epidemic that plague the nation’s roads and highways. In 2009 alone, there were nearly 3,000 injuries resulting from Florida truck accidents, not to mention the hundreds of deaths. Motorists are at a major disadvantage when they are involved in collisions with these massive trucks and usually the people in the smaller vehicles are the ones who suffer the worst injuries.

According to the Truck Safety Coalition, a truck safety advocacy group, the trucking industry is making efforts to increase the size and weights of trucks. The current weight limit of trucks is 80,000 lbs., but a limit of 97,000 lbs. has been proposed. The Truck Safety Coalition strongly believes this would be a grave mistake and gave numerous reasons as to why this shouldn’t happen. Some of these reasons include the following:

• The odds of being injured or killed in a large truck accident go up with each extra ton of weight over the current 80,000 lb. weight limit.
• It takes a 100,000 lb. truck 25 percent longer to stop than an 80,000 lb. truck.
• Overweight trucks are more prone to roll over in accidents.
• Heavier trucks will cause more damage to bridges and roads.
• An overwhelming majority of Americans oppose increases to the size and weight limits of trucks.

While only time will tell if this bill passes and larger trucks are allowed on Florida roads, there is one thing that is certain – 18-wheeler accidents cause serious injuries and deaths each year. Some of the most catastrophic injuries are suffered in the truck crashes.

If you have been injured in a truck accident in St. Petersburg, Largo, Pinellas Park or other area in Florida, you should contact an experienced St. Petersburg truck accident attorney at the Law Office of William K. Saron today at 727-345-4566.