Teenager Seriously Hurt in Semi-Truck Crash in Delray Beach, FL
According to a report from CBS 12 News, a teenager was seriously injured in a tractor trailer crash in Delray Beach, Florida. A 17-year-old suffered critical injuries after colliding with the back of an eighteen wheeler. Based on a preliminary investigation, law enforcement officers believe that the truck’s length resulted in it being partially in another lane while making a left-hand turn.
Commercial truck crashes are disproportionately likely to cause devastating or catastrophic injuries. Alarmingly, teenage drivers are more likely to end up on the wrong side of a bad tractor trailer collision. In this article, our West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer explains why teenage drivers face a heightened safety risk around large commercial trucks.
Teen Drivers Have Less Experience Judging Truck Speed and Distance
Teenage drivers face a heightened safety risk around large commercial trucks because they are still developing the judgment needed to evaluate speed, distance, and closing time. A fully loaded tractor-trailer is much longer, heavier, and less maneuverable than a passenger vehicle. A teen driver may underestimate how quickly a truck is approaching, how much space the truck needs to turn, or how long it takes for the truck to stop.
Large Trucks Have Large (Dangerous) Blind Spots
Commercial trucks have substantial blind spots on both sides, directly behind the trailer, and in front of the cab. Teen drivers may not fully appreciate that a truck driver cannot always see a smaller vehicle nearby. Lingering next to a trailer, passing too slowly, or cutting in closely after passing can put a young driver in a highly dangerous position. These are not minor driving mistakes. When a passenger vehicle is in a truck’s “no-zone,” the risk of a side-swipe, underride crash, or loss-of-control collision increases sharply. While truckers are responsible for safely managing their blind spots, drivers should always take additional precautions.
Tractor Trailers Require More Room to Stop and Turn
Teen drivers may also be less familiar with the physical limits of commercial vehicles. A tractor-trailer needs far more distance to stop than a car, especially at highway speeds or when carrying a heavy load. Large trucks also make wide turns and may need to swing left before turning right. A young driver who follows too closely, tries to pass during a turn, or assumes that a truck can stop like a passenger vehicle may be exposed to serious danger. These risks are especially significant on Florida highways, interchanges, construction zones, and rural roads where trucks and passenger vehicles often share limited space.
Call Our West Palm Beach Truck Accident Attorney Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our West Palm Beach semi-truck accident attorney is a passionate, experienced, and solutions-driven advocate for justice. If your teenager was injured in a tractor trailer wreck, we are here to help. Call us now or contact online for a free case review. With offices in West Palm Beach and Miami, we represent truck accident victims throughout South Florida.
Source:
cbs12.com/news/local/teen-girl-critically-injured-in-crash-with-truck-on-441-west-of-delray-beach-tuesday-peterbilt-567-pero-family-farms-state-road-7-traffic-injuries-accident-injuries-hyundai-sonata
