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In July 2017 nine vehicles were involved in a pileup on I-75 southbound near mile marker 338 in Marion County, Florida. One person died at the scene; two people were seriously injured; ten others had minor injuries. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) said a semi-tractor trailer, unable to stop, ran off the road to avoid hitting cars in front of him. The truck driver hit the guardrail in the median, and re-entered the southbound traffic striking 4 vehicles and 4 larger commercial vehicles, according to ABC News. 

Another chain-reaction accident occurred during spring break this year. Four friends from Weston, Florida were traveling back to Tallahassee for their classes at Florida State University. Their 2013 Hyundai Sonata was rammed from behind by a pickup truck, and it became sandwiched between the truck and an SUV, according to authorities responding to the accident. A chain reaction was created by the pickup which included 5 more vehicles and left more than a dozen travelers injured, according to FHP. Two Sonata back-seat passengers who were 18 and 19 years-old were killed in the accident. 

Trucks, especially large ones, need additional space between vehicles to allow for safe braking and unexpected actions. In crashes, large trucks most often hit the vehicle in front of them. Traffic congestion can make it much more difficult for a truck driver to stop in time. If a truck is following vehicles too closely and has to stop suddenly in congested traffic, a chain reaction of accidents is likely to occur. 

The Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) reported that 5 percent of truck crashes occurred when the Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) driver was following the lead vehicle too closely. 

What is considered “following too closely”? 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) says that following too closely may be defined as, “situations in which one vehicle is following another vehicle so closely that even if the following driver is attentive to the actions of the vehicle ahead he/she could not avoid a collision in the circumstance when the driver in front brakes suddenly." When driving a safe distance behind the vehicle in front, drivers have more time to make good and well-planned decisions about stopping to avoid chain-reaction accidents. 

Should victims suffer injuries or die as the result of a truck’s following too closely being unable to stop in time, they may be entitled to pursue the driver and/or the truck driver’s employer to seek restitution for damages. 

Florida law regarding driving too closely 

Florida Statute 316.0895 says that the driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the highway. Those persons driving trucks, trucks drawing another vehicle, or a vehicle towing another vehicle or trailer shall not follow within 300 feet of the same while traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residential district. A violation of this section is considered a non-criminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation. 

“Being injured in a chain-reaction accident is devastating when it happens and can have very serious life-long repercussions. Our Fort Myers Truck Accident attorneys have the experience to assist you,” said Attorney Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. 

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.