Moving in Miami is an exciting event for most homeowners. You get to look forward to living in a new suburb or having the sea in your backyard.
Unfortunately, moving across the city comes with risks. For instance, moving means navigating busy highways and lots of traffic. This traffic includes moving trucks with tractor-trailers, like the one you would use to move.
Thousands of people die in tractor-trailer accidents throughout the U.S. every year, including in Florida. The size of the trucks makes these accidents a lot more severe, too.
So, whether you are driving a moving truck or renting one, knowing what to look out for on the roads is important.
Why Miami’s Roads Are Dangerous When Moving
Miami is known for massive highways like the Florida Turnpike, I-95, and I-75. You’ll find them filled with cars and commercial trucks anytime. This also means the risk of an accident is always high.
Miami is also known for having a lot of aggressive drivers. These drivers tend to speed or tailgate. If they do this within the proximity of a tractor-trailer, it could cause a huge accident.
Other risk factors for tractor-trailer accidents are abrupt changes in the weather. If there is a sudden thunderstorm, the wet roads will increase the risk of an accident.
Moreover, Miami’s municipalities also perform a lot of roadwork every year. Construction zones reduce lanes and create more detours. For inexperienced drivers, this can become a problem. They may make a driving mistake that can cause an accident.
The Risks of Driving a Moving Truck
If you plan to drive a tractor-trailer to move your stuff, there is much to consider. For one, moving trucks are not nearly the same as cars. They are much harder to keep on the road. And, even without your moving load, they are incredibly heavy. This makes it more difficult for them to stop quickly in an emergency.
Commercial trucks also have very large blind spots. While driving, you may find it hard to see other vehicles on the road. If you drive the truck too fast and traffic slows suddenly, you will not have enough time to slow and stop.
If you are not used to driving a large truck, and the wind picks up, it can cause the truck to tip. This is especially likely when you are taking a sharp turn.
Type of Truck Accidents That Can Happen During Your Move
The risks remain whether you are driving a regular moving truck or a tractor-trailer. You will share the road with other large commercial vehicles while trying to move from one place to another. This inevitably increases the risk of a crash.
The most common type of truck accidents that happen on Miami roads include the following:
- Rear-end collisions. If you drive a large truck and follow too closely on the road, you may crash into the vehicle in front of you. This would typically happen if the car or truck in front stops suddenly or if the road is wet.
- Sideswipe accidents. If you don’t see a car or other truck alongside you, you may sideswipe them when changing lanes. It may sound unlikely, but considering the size of a truck’s blind spot, you’ll know how quickly such an accident can happen.
- Jackknife accidents. If you lose control of a large tractor-trailer, it can fold in on itself across the road. If this happens, you may hit several vehicles and block multiple lanes simultaneously. Jackknife accidents usually come with serious injuries, too.
- Tire blowout. It is also possible that one of the truck’s tires can explode. If this happens while driving, you will lose control of the truck. Losing control can cause a major accident.
Staying Safe While Moving in Miami
If you insist on driving a tractor-trailer when moving, you may need a CDL (commercial driver’s license).
It is also important to plan your route properly. Choose routes with less traffic and use GPS to avoid construction zones if possible.
While driving, stay aware of your blind spots, and don’t try to drive too fast. Give yourself space to stop in case traffic slows up ahead.
You should also delay your move if there is an imminent storm. It is only going to increase the risk of a crash if you drive on wet roads.
Consider letting a moving company handle the entire move for you. It may cost more, but it is the safest thing to do in most circumstances.
What to Do If an Accident Happens
If you are in an accident while driving the truck, you must hire a lawyer to represent you. The same applies if you are involved in an accident with a truck driver. In both instances, a lawyer will advise you on how to proceed and protect your rights.
We hope you found this blog post on How Moving in Miami Puts You at Risk of a Truck Accident, useful. Be sure to check out our post on Top Cargo Securement Tips Every Trucker Should Know for more great information!
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