If you have to hit the brakes suddenly to avoid a traffic accident in Coral Springs or your Florida hometown, you know that there is a delay from the moment you realize you need to hit the brakes to the moment your car comes to a complete stop. In bad weather or in situations where your brakes are not in top condition, the time to come to a complete stop (also known as the stopping distance) can be even greater. For commercial trucks such as big rigs and 18-wheelers, the stopping distance is already greater than for a smaller car. When truck driver or car driver negligence is a factor, this longer stopping distance can lead to collisions.
If you have been in a trucking collisions or car crash where you think stopping distance or negligence played a role, contact Flaxman Law Group. Getting legal advice can help you make an informed decision about what to do next. Our attorneys can review your options and answer your questions in a free accident consultation so that you have a legal opinion before you make any decisions.
What Affects The Stopping Distance Of Trucks?There are many factors that can influence the amount of time that a truck takes in order to come to a complete stop. These factors can include:
1) Reaction time and perception. Many experts believe that the average driver has a reaction time of 1.5 seconds. This is the amount of time between the moment a driver notices a problem and slams on the brakes. Different people will have different reaction times and perception. However, drunk driving, distracted driving, health issues, fatigue, and other factors can influence reaction time and perception. Inebriated drivers, tired motorists, and ill drivers, for example, can have slower reaction times. This means that they may delay stepping on the brakes when they see danger.
2) Speed. The faster truck is traveling at the time of an accident, the more likely it is that the accident will be serious. In addition, the faster truck is traveling, the larger the stopping distance. The force of the movement will push the truck further even after the truck driver slams the brakes. If a truck is speeding, the truck driver may also lose control of the vehicle if they need to step on the brake suddenly, which can make an accident much more serious.
3) Weight. Big rigs and tractor-trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Trucks over this weight take longer to stop than trucks with correctly loaded and correctly weighted cargo. This is because the weight of the truck will push the truck forward even after the brakes have been pressed. Overloaded trucks are also more subject to brake failure because the extra weight puts added pressure on brakes.
Do You Need a Personal Injury Attorney in Coral Springs or Your Community?If you have been injured in a trucking collision, do not hesitate to contact Flaxman Law Group for a free case review. Our attorneys have already recovered more than $100 million on behalf of clients and our law firm would be pleased to offer a free case consultation to you so that you can address some of your concerns with a member of our legal team.