Unsafe Practices by Truck Drivers That Cause Major Accidents

 Truck drivers and trucking firms are governed by a number of laws whose intent is to prevent unsafe practices such as fatigued driving, operating the truck while distracted, etc. However, when these laws are not enforced or followed it tends to leave us – the people sharing the roadway – exposed to the risk of an accident with a vehicle that may weigh 80,000-pounds. When a truck strikes a smaller passenger vehicle, invariably, it’s the smaller vehicle that gets severely damaged. And it is the occupants of the passenger vehicle who typically suffer the more serious injuries. Many truck accidents involving collisions with smaller vehicles result in fatalities.

Commercial truck drivers, particularly those who have inadequate training or experience and drive with a disregard for public safety and the rules of the road pose a significant hazard on our roadways. Granted, many truck drivers face unrealistic deadlines, which cause them to break rules and laws in an effort to deliver on time. But such time constraints do not give truck drivers or their employers an excuse to put the traveling public in harm’s way.
Common Unsafe Practices
Here are some unsafe practices often used by truck drivers and trucking companies:
Speed issues: Speed violations do not just include breaking the speed limit. Truck drivers are notorious for driving at a speed that is simply not safe given the current driving conditions – be it fog, rain, snow, construction work or traffic jams. When truck drivers operate at a speed that is dangerous given the traffic, roadway and weather conditions at any given time, the risk for getting in an accident increases significantly.
Because of their size and weight, trucks have increased stopping times even when they are traveling at the appropriate speed or within the speed limit. So, when they travel at an excessive rate of speed, it may become even more difficult for them to stop, especially if the traffic suddenly slows down. Such a situation has the potential to result in a multi-vehicle crash or a pileup.
Drowsy driving: There are a number of factors that may contribute to drowsy driving when it involves truck drivers. A recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that drowsy driving is a factor in 9.5 percent of all crashes. Compare that to federal estimates that indicate drowsiness as a factor in 1 to 2 percent of crashes and we see the huge discrepancy.
A study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania and sponsored by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the American Transportation Research Institute of the American Trucking Associations found that almost one-third (28 percent) of commercial truck drivers have mild to severe sleep apnea, which is a breathing-related sleep disorder that causes brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. There are federal rules in place known as Hours of Service rules to prevent commercial drivers from operating their vehicles while fatigued. However, a number of truck drivers and trucking companies violate these regulations to maximize profits and meet deadlines.
Distracted driving: While this is an unsafe habit that is common to many drivers, it can be deadly when the driver of a large truck is not paying attention. Truck drivers may be more prone to distractions because of the long hours they spend behind the wheel combined with the physical and mental fatigue they experience. In 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) prohibited commercial truck drivers from texting while driving and followed it up with a ban on using hand-held cell phones.
Compensation for Victims
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 46 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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