Trucking Accidents
Large carrier trucks, often called 18 wheelers, represent one of the significant dangers on our roads. According to the Transportation Department, 5,300 people were killed in 2006 in accidents involving large trucks and buses, and approximately 126,000 people were injured. A federal safety study in 2007 found that impaired drivers--those suffering from major health problems or sleep deprivation--are a leading cause of such accidents.
Large trucks cause more than their share of deaths on American roads. They are involved in more fatal crashes per mile than passenger vehicles. When a passenger car collides with a large truck, the overwhelming majority of those who die—98 percent—will be among the automobile occupants. These large trucks are many times heavier than the average passenger car, so the momentum of a truck—even driving at a reasonable speed—makes it a deadly force to anything or anyone in its way.
Because of their size and weight, any accident that involves a large truck is potentially very serious, especially to the occupants of any passenger cars involved. Like automobile collisions, equipment or design defects can sometimes cause or increase the harm done in accidents involving large trucks. Poor maintenance (leading to brake or tire failures) can contribute, as can overloading or improper cargo loading and weight distribution. Again, these trucks are so heavy and create so much momentum at highway speeds that overloading or poor weight distribution in a load can impair a driver’s ability to control or stop the truck.
One very real cause of large truck accidents is driver fatigue from spending long hours on the road. This may look like driver error, but in the trucking industry, policies and pressure put on the drivers help create serious and dangerous driver fatigue. Industry practices also contribute to keeping sick drivers on the road.
It’s not always immediately apparent what factors could have contributed to causing an accident or increasing the harm caused by that accident.
If you have been involved in an accident resulting in serious injury, call Baron & Budd at 1 800 946 9646 or click here to contact us through our secure form.
Some cases may be referred to other law firms for handling.
