In spite of improvements in safety features in both non-commercial
vehicles and large trucks, and in traffic regulations, fatalities
involving large trucks declined by only 516-- less than 10%--from
5,398 deaths in 1997 to 5,082 in 2001. Additionally, 18-wheeler
accident statistics show that 4% of all victims of traffic-related
injuries and 12% of all traffic-related deaths involve large
trucks. The disturbing facts show that 86% percent of those
killed and 77% of those injured in big rig accidents are the
occupants of non-commercial vehicles, while the truckers most
often walk away with few or no injuries. With 18-wheeler
trucking accident statistics like these, all drivers, including
truckers, should be aware of the most common causes of large
truck accidents. Studies have proven the most universal contributing
factors to trucking accidents:
- Driver fatigue
- Mechanical failure, such as bad brakes or turn signal
failure
- Large blind spots
- Driver tailgating and/or changing lanes unsafely
- Driver inattention to road and traffic conditions
- Improperly secured load
- Driver operates the rig aggressive or recklessly
- Driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol
In spite of strict federal regulations limiting working hours
for drivers of large trucks, truckers frequently exceed these
limits in their desire to deliver their loads on schedule,
or to increase their income by hauling more loads in a given
time span. Even more often, the driver is pressured by his
company to exceed the federal limit on driving hours in order
to meet overly-tight schedules.Less commonly--although a real
factor in many accidents--is mechanical failure, frequently
from brakes or turn signals. "Jack-knifing" often
results in injury to occupants of other vehicles, and/or toxic
and hazardous chemical spills that endanger the environment,
other motorists, and pedestrians.
Following a serious injury, you'll have serious question.
Where can you turn for help? What if you can't work or pay
the bills? At the Ogletree Abbott Law Firm, we can help answer
those questions for you. Call us today at 1-800-449-7950.
Or send us an email, and a legal professional will contact
you right away.
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