Common Causes of Commercial Motor Vehicle Accidents

Commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) are commonplace on Florida roads, and while most make it to their destination without issue, crashes involving these vehicles do cause a disproportionate amount of road fatalities each year. Causes of these crashes will very often depend on the specifics of the moment – but there are a handful of situations that are more likely to cause a crash, and a well-informed driver is more likely to avoid them.

Driver Error & Negligence

Perhaps the most dangerous group of causes of CMVs are attributable to driver error. CMV drivers work very long hours, operating vehicles that are much larger and more unpredictable than most on the road. While they are bound by laws designed to protect both them and those around them, such as Hours of Service regulations, it is unfortunately common for drivers to either ignore such rules or be pushed to flout them by their employers.

Driver fatigue causes many accidents, but distracted driving arguably causes more, and it is just as common in CMV drivers as it is in every other vehicle operator on the road. Substance abuse is one of the most common factors in accidents involving larger vehicles, and when impaired thinking is combined with the greater required stopping distance of a CMV, the results can be catastrophic.

Comparative Fault

One other cause of CMV accidents that many injured plaintiffs do not want to contemplate is the possibility of their playing a role in causing their own injuries. It is quite rare for any accident to be 100 percent the fault of one party; in most cases, an injured plaintiff may be ruled, say, 10 or 20 percent at fault, which means that they are generally able to recover the remaining 90 or 80 percent of their damages from the defendant.

If you fear you may have been partially at fault for your own injuries, be aware that Florida law has recently changed in terms of apportioning fault. Until a few years ago, an injured plaintiff could recover part of their damages from a defendant even if the plaintiff was ruled 90 percent at fault. After the change, however, Florida law holds that if a plaintiff is found “greater than 50 percent at fault for their own harm,” they cannot recover any damages.

Call A Tampa CMV Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in a CMV accident, and you suspect that negligence played a role in your injuries, you have the right to seek damages. A Tampa CMV accident attorney from the Rinaldo Law Group can help answer any questions you may have about your case. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation.

Source:

flhsmv.gov/florida-highway-patrol/commercial-vehicle-enforcement/safety-enforcement/florida-hours-of-service-rules/