Trucking Accidents

When a large semi truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the outcome can be devastating. Large trucks are significantly heavier passenger vehicles, and when the two collide, injuries are often inevitable. In 2019, large trucks accounted for only about 4% of all registered vehicles, but they were involved in 10% of all fatal crashes, a 2% increase from the previous year. Such statistics are shocking, but there are many factors behind this steady increase in fatal truck accidents.

[Read more…] about Semi Truck Accidents Are on the Rise – What You Need to Know

Just as there are apps to help decrease standard automobile accidents, there are also mandates going into effect in the trucking industry in an effort to reduce truck accidents. Electronic Logging Devices keep track of how long a trucker has been on the road to better ensure she or he doesn’t sit across the table from a truck accident attorney after falling asleep at the wheel. But are the devices effective?  

The Aim of the Devices

In 2014, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimated that ELDs could prevent roughly 1,700 crashes, 500 injuries and 20 deaths a year. This is because the devices make it so truck drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours in the road without resting. As truck accident attorney I can tell you that driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of truck accidents.

Besides preventing accidents, logging devices can improve the trucking industry at large. Specifically, if truckers aren’t driving more than they should be, they’re less likely to burn themselves out. Fewer overworked truckers is likely to result in a lower employee turnover rate.

Are the Devices Reducing Salaries Along With Accidents?

For all the good they’re supposed to do, ELDs aren’t beloved by all truckers. One issue is the devices can actually make truckers drive a bit more recklessly than they normally would. This is because when drivers near their 11-hour limit and haven’t made it to their destination, some of them may speed up to get there faster.

There are still problems even when a truck driver hasn’t neared her or his destination when the 11-hour limit approaches. The issue is that not all truckers are able to find a safe place to park their vehicles when they reach their time limit. 

If you were recently involved in an accident with a truck, it may have been due to reckless or fatigued driving. Either way, it’s best you reach out to a truck accident attorney to explore your rights.

Sources: (1, 2, 3 )

The truth is that a great number of people who must seek compensation for injury or death on our nation’s roads do so for accidents related to trucks.  According to the data provided by the US Department of Transportation there are close to half a million truck accidents each year nationally, with a larger than average percentage of highway fatalities caused by accidents involving trucks.  These are sad and difficult statistics given just how few of them are on the roads comparative to other vehicles.  According to the 2013 SWITRS report on trucking fatalities compiled by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) where a truck driver was at fault, the five most common causes were:

• Improper turning
• Unsafe speeds
• Not giving an automobile the right of way
• Ignoring traffic signals and signs
• Not giving pedestrians the right of way

[Read more…] about Trucking Accident Fatality Statistics