Common
Causes of Trucking Accidents
Sharing the Road with
Giants (Borrowed from
http://www.truckinjuries.com)
The primary mode for moving freight in the United States is
the trucking industry. According to the American
Trucking Association (ATA), in 2003 large trucks hauled the
majority of all freight transported in the U.S. – over nine
billion tons. Trucking revenues totaled $610 billion last year
and revenues are forecasted to nearly double by 2015.
While commercial trucking
growth is good news for the trucking companies and the
nation’s economy, it is bad news for the cars, vans and SUVs
that share the road with these potentially lethal giants.
Large truck related fatal and injurious crashes are a
significant public health problem in the United States today.
Every 16 minutes, a person is killed or sustains injuries in
accidents involving 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers or
semi-trucks. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
reports that in crashes involving large trucks and other
vehicles, 98% of the fatalities occur to the people in
passenger vehicles.
As the commercial truck population accelerates to meet
anticipated economic demand, and the number of passenger
vehicles continues to grow, how will the nation’s motorists
fare in competition for the road?
What Causes Large Truck Accidents?
Any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of over 10,000 pounds
is considered a large truck and is governed by specific
federal safety regulations and laws. The government requires
that truck drivers qualify for commercial licenses and are
subject to limited drug and alcohol testing. Unfortunately,
many truck safety advocates question the effectiveness of the
licensing and testing programs. From 1992 to 2002, the number
of large trucks involved in fatal crashes has increased by up
to 10% due to driver fatigue, unsafe vehicle operation, large,
unstable loads or defective equipment. Accidents involving
semi-truck, 18-wheeler, and large trucks present many unique
issues including:
Hours of Service.
Driver fatigue and drowsiness are conditions that result
in reckless behavior such as failure to keep in the proper
lane and running off the road. Tired truckers are of such
concern that in April of 2003, the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration (FMCSA) instituted new hours of service
regulations to curb truckers’ problems with fatigue. While
these laws have helped reduce the number of accidents, the
U.S. National Transportation Safety Board still blames driver
fatigue as a probable factor in 20-40% of truck crashes.
Intoxicated Drivers.
Over a period of one year, a study of truck driver
fatalities was conducted by The National Transportation Safety
Board and The National Institute on Drug Abuse in eight
states. Comprehensive drug screenings were performed on blood
specimens taken from 168 fatally injured drivers. One or more
drugs was detected in 67% of these fatally injured drivers and
33% of these drivers had detectable blood concentrations of
psychoactive drugs or alcohol.
Driver error.
Big-rig operators are responsible for the safe operation
of their vehicle. When semi-trucks travel at rates exceeding
55 mph, they are speeding and the likelihood of a jackknife or
rollover significantly increases.
“Underrides” refer to passenger vehicles that slide under
another vehicle, with the majority of these incidences
happening between large trucks and passenger cars.
Law Firms and LawSchools
“no-zones” or blind spots exist in the front, back and sides
of a big rig truck. Recognizing these “no-zones”, the trucking
industry has advised that for safety’s sake the driver of a
passenger car should not be in front, back or in two lanes
beside a large truck. Otherwise, when vehicles are in these
blind spots, the truck may make a wide right turn into the
passenger car.
“Squeeze plays” involve trucks making wide right turns. When a
passenger vehicle is caught between a large truck and the curb
– they are caught in a “squeeze” that can have serious
consequences.
“Off-track” occurs when a truck turns at high speed and swings
into an adjacent lane unexpectedly. Unlike passenger vehicles,
transport trucks require up to 40 percent more space to stop.
Following too closely results in inadequate stopping distance
between large trucks which then rear-end vehicles in front. It
is not difficult to imagine the devastating results that occur
when a car, van or SUV is hit from behind with over 10,000
lbs. of moving metal.
Substandard inspection.
According to FMCSA, there were over 2 million roadside
inspections of trucks. Of those inspections, 23.2% of the
vehicles were found to have serious violations. Despite the
best efforts, defective and unsafe trucks continue to be a
leading cause of catastrophic accidents on the nation’s
highways.
Longer Combination Vehicles (LCVs) vehicles are
tractor-trailer combinations with two or more trailers that
weigh more than 80,000 pounds. These trucks are at increased
risk of jack-knife (the rig jackknifes when the drive axel
brakes lock up); roll-over, sway, and loss of control. Greater
lengths, heights and weights make these trucks perform and
handle differently than tractor semi trailers or twin
trailers. LCVs are more dangerous due to their tendency to
sway and leave the lane they are traveling in, as well as
requiring increased passing distance.
Hazardous Materials
(hazmat).
Revenue from hazardous materials shipments has increased
to $10 billion with more than 800,000 shipments every day.
Hazardous materials (hazmat) in trucks are usually flammable
liquids, such as gasoline. Each year about 200 hazmat trucks
are involved in fatal crashes and 5,000 in nonfatal crashes.
Protecting the Victims
We will never know how many motorists have been “lucky”
enough to have escaped a catastrophic encounter with a big
rig. How many passenger vehicles are confronted daily by
aggressive, fatigued truck drivers pulling a 13 hour shift in
order to make a professional wage and meet tight deadlines?
How many semi trucks on the highway are operating despite
failed roadside inspections? Which drivers have cheated on
their Hours of Service logbooks? Even with these frightening
scenarios and statistics, powerful trucking industry lobbyists
continue to call for the weakening of truck safety rules and
regulations to reap a higher profit.
When truck collisions do occur, trucking companies involved in
the accident often send representatives to the accident scene.
These agents work to handle everything at the scene of the
accident so that they can limit or mitigate their company’s
liability. Many times trucking, hauling and leasing companies
dispute whose insurance will provide for victim compensation.
These companies’ representatives know that the ideal time to
confront an accident victim is immediately following the
event. In the aftermath of a truck accident, the traumatized
victim will need to make important decisions that will impact
their future. Grieving, anxious and injured people are
pressured by trucking and insurance companies’ tactics. Too
often the victims and their families struggle through the
difficult after effects of truck collisions alone. By working
with an experienced attorney, victims can have some control
and participation in ensuring that their rights and interests
are protected.
Improving the Odds
The following suggestions may help motorists to improve the
odds when sharing the road with large commercial trucks:
Keep visible. Stay out of the “no-zones” – the truck’s blind
spots. When behind a truck, stay far enough back to see both
of the truck’s side mirrors.
Maintain a safe distance to ensure that there is enough space
and time to brake.
Drive defensively.
Use signals to turn or pass and avoid sudden moves such as
swerving to pass.
Keep lights on and windshield wipers working on rainy days.
There are no easy answers to providing a productive and safe
environment for everyone who shares the road; however making
the safety of motorists a priority over profit is an important
step in the right direction. If shipping costs rise in order
to ensure safer transportation of goods and services, it is a
small price to pay to save lives.
You can
contact the lawyers of Munley, Munley & Cartwright for a
free consultation by completing our
online accident evaluation form
-or- calling toll-free at
1-866-771-7769.
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