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Three hundred people have died in recent years as a result of unhitched trailers according to Federal government statistics.  On January 22, 2014, Jeff Rossen of NBC-TV's Rossen Report demonstrated that travelling at 50 mph, a trailer, which becomes unhooked and does not have  safety chains as a safety backup, becomes a deadly, uncontrollable missile. Mr. Rossen further said that a $10 part and a one-minute fix was all that was needed to avoid a potential crash. The fix was the installation of two safety chains which are designed to hold the trailer attached to the vehicle should the trailer become unhitched.

Fort Myers Vehicle Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey says, "Florida law requires that when a vehicle is towing a trailer or semitrailer using a hitch at the rear of the vehicle, there are to be attached safety chains, cables or other safety devices.  These safety devices, when installed properly and checked often, may help prevent needless trailer accidents."

U-Haul provides the following tips regarding trailers:

Match your tow vehicle to a trailer - They recommend following the guidelines below closely when setting up the car-trailer combo in order to avoid dangerous situations on the road.

• Fully-loaded unbraked trailers cannot exceed the empty weight (also known as the curb weight) of the tow vehicle.

• Loaded braked trailers may safely exceed the empty weight of the tow vehicle in some cases, but be sure to follow the recommendations of your vehicle's and the trailer's manufacturers.

• Make sure your hitch system components each have ratings that exceed the weight of the loaded trailer and that the hitch ball is compatible with the coupler.

   

Proper hook up procedure

• Don't get distracted. Always complete the hook up procedure from beginning to end.

• Make sure your ball size (stamped on the top of the hitch ball) matches the size of your coupler. The part of the trailer that attaches to the ball hitch on a towing vehicle.

• When placing a ball clamp coupler onto your hitch, tighten it down well, and then give the trailer a good shake. After that, tighten the clamp down again.

• To hook up a trailer with a latch style coupler, double check to make sure your ball is the same size as the coupler. Then, release the latch and place the coupler on the ball. Finally, close the latch and place a pin or lock on it to fasten it safely.

• Lastly, hook up the safety chains by crisscrossing them and looping them through the loops on your hitch. Then cross them again and secure the hooks to the chains.

• Be sure that the safety chains have enough slack to turn, but won't drag on the ground.

• Always hook up running lights, brake lights and turn signals to your trailer. Check all lights before you drive away.

   

Safety practices

• When you stop to gas up, check your coupler and lights again to make sure everything is still connected properly.

• Check the tire pressure on your vehicle and trailer often

If you hear a strange noise, pull off the road and stop at a safe place to inspect everything for safety.

Fort Myers 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.