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Big-rig trucks are the backbone of the U.S. economy, moving products and produce across the country. Rarely does a motorist travel on Florida’s roads and highways without seeing them.

A big-rig, also known as an 18-wheeler or semi, is defined as the combination of a tractor unit and one or more semi-trailers carrying freight. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average big-rig truck weighs about 35,000 pounds, and most payloads average about 40,000 pounds. Over 90 percent of rigs weigh less than 73,000 pounds fully loaded (the U.S. big-rig weight limit is 80,000 pounds).

When these large trucks make wide turns where the driver often swings outside the lane in which he/she is traveling, accidents commonly happen. When other motorists are in the truck’s path or alongside the truck, the size and weight discrepancy can make the situation devastating.

Big-rig truck drivers need special training to complete wide turns successfully. They must know how far to swing the truck in order to ensure other motorists, who are also traveling on the road, are safe. If they do not have the proper training and enough practice in making the turns, they can cause serious injuries or even deaths.

Mechanical failures may cause accidents when drivers try to make wide turns. It is the responsibility of trucking companies to maintain all their vehicles in good working condition without defects or failing parts before a vehicle can go back on the road.

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has specific duties when it comes to trucks. It conducts:

• Driver/safety inspections
• Post-crash inspections
• Weight, size and registration enforcement
• Compliance investigations
• New entrant safety audits
• Hazardous material carrier assessments
• Traffic enforcement
• Drug interaction assessments
• Public awareness education

The FHP’s mission is to

1. Reduce the number and severity of commercial motor vehicle-related crashes.
2. Protect the state’s highway and bridge systems from accelerated damage.
3. Remove dangerous motor carriers, drivers, and vehicles from our highways.

“Our Fort Myers truck accident attorneys consult with the best trucking experts in the state of Florida in order to determine how an accident occurred and how it could have been avoided. Unfortunately, we often find that truck accidents easily could have been avoided if the trucking company had not chosen to put profits ahead of safety in its list of priorities. It is this type of negligence that drives us to represent victims of trucking accidents. We help accident victims to hold truckers and trucking companies accountable for their actions in causing injuries and even death to others,” said Attorney Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. “If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident because of the negligence of another, please contact our experienced team. We are available to assist you at all times, 24/7. There are no costs or attorney fees unless we make a monetary recovery for you.”

Fort Myers Truck Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.