Category: Truck Accidents

Big trucks can lead to big injuries. Sharing the road with oversized vehicles like semi-trucks and tractor-trailers is a reality of life on U.S. roads. It can be scary, nonetheless. The sheer size of these vehicles alone makes other vehicles wobble as they pass them by. It will come as no surprise that they can wreak devastation in the event of an accident. As such, drivers of large trucks are subject to their own state and federal regulations in an attempt to make them as safe as possible as they share the roadways with others. Much of these regulations focus on preventing fatigued truck drivers. There are limits on how long a driver can spend on the road at a time and in a 24-hour period. Unfortunately, even those complying with these regulations are still vulnerable to truck driver fatigue and a fatigued truck driver is a dangerous truck driver.

Drowsy driving is one of the most common causes of truck accidents—despite efforts to regulate drivers’ hours. This blog will discuss how trucker fatigue can cause big injuries

How Trucker Fatigue Can Cause Truck Accidents

Back in June of 2014, in New Jersey, a truck driver decided to drive 12 hours to work prior to starting his 14-hour shift. It is likely that his decision to drive while fatigued was the main cause of the crash that killed comedian James McNair and left comedian Tracy Morgan seriously injured. CNN reported that the truck driver was traveling at 65 mph in a work zone that had a posted speed limit of 45 mph. The truck driver failed to brake in time to avoid slow-moving traffic ahead, including the limo van in which the comedians were passengers.

This is just one example of how trucker fatigue can result in crashes causing devastating, and even fatal, injuries. As well as being dangerous, truck driver fatigue causing crashes is also far too common. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Large Truck Crash Causation Study revealed that as many as 13% of truck drivers are fatigued at the time of a crash.

If it is so dangerous, why would a truck driver operate their rig while fatigued? Well, this happens for a number of reasons. Some truckers are trying to meet deadlines. Others may have been inadequately trained or lack the experience to know how important it is to be properly rested before heading out on the road. Driving oversized trucks for an extended period of time can be more physically demanding than people really understand. Sitting for long periods of time and focusing on the road can take a physical toll that should not be taken for granted.

Fatigued driving is so dangerous because it leads to a driver’s ability to stay focused being compromised. A driver may start closing their eyes and falling asleep at the wheel. They may end up lacking the reaction time necessary to avoid a crash. Fatigued drivers may start swaying between lanes, drifting off of the roadway, or unconsciously accelerating by putting pressure on the gas pedal. All of these things can lead to devastating crashes resulting in serious injuries such as:

• Head injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Damage to internal organs
• Spinal injuries

Central New York Personal Injury Attorneys

Have you been injured in an accident caused by a fatigued truck driver? Do not hesitate to reach out to the dedicated personal injury attorneys at CDH Law for immediate assistance. Contact us today.

Whether you’ve spotted them on long interstate road trips or navigating the smaller streets of your city, we’ve all seen the big semi-trucks traversing roads across the U.S. Few things can make your vehicle feel smaller and more vulnerable than when it is driving in close proximity to these big rigs. It can be quite intimidating and with good reason. These oversized vehicles are reportedly up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This means that a crash at any speed involving a semi-truck could cause massive destruction and catastrophic injuries.

Truck Accident Risk Factors

Drivers, there are many things that you can do to help avoid involvement in big truck accidents. For starters, you can avoid the blind spots of these semi-trucks. Due to the size and nature of a semi-truck, they have some prominent and sizable blind spots along both sides, the back, and the front of the rig. This means, if you are in one of these zones, the truck driver cannot see you. As such, you should avoid them as much as possible. Leave plenty of room between you and a semi-truck in front of you. If you need to change lanes to pass the truck, do so as quickly, but safely, as possible to avoid lingering in a blind spot. Try to avoid driving in front of a semi-truck as well unless you are a sizable distance in front of them.

Engaging in reckless driving behaviors around a truck can also increase the risk of an accident occurring. This means drivers should avoid things like distracted driving. Put down your cell phone and wait to check your texts later. Avoid eating and drinking as well as messing with your music selections or engaging in any activity that takes your full attention away from the road.

You should also avoid speeding and tailgating. Tailgating a semi-truck, in particular, can prove fatal. For starters, this means that you are driving in the truck’s rear blind spot. It also means that if the truck comes to a sudden stop, you could not only crash into the truck, but your car could go straight underneath the truck as the truck’s increased height can allow for this. It may come as no surprise that this type of crash would likely be fatal to all in your vehicle.

Truck drivers should also avoid engaging in dangerous driving behaviors like distracted driving, speeding, and tailgating. They should also avoid fatigue driving. Additionally, there are things specific to the truck that can help avoid truck accidents from occurring. For example, loading a truck properly can help make the truck safer. Improperly loaded trucks can easily fall off balance on the roadways and be much more difficult to safely operate. Properly maintaining a truck and making repairs as needed can also render these big rigs much safer on the roadways.

Personal Injury Attorneys

We all have a responsibility to each other to be as safe as possible out there on the roads. If you have been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the team at CDH Law is here to fight for you. Contact us today.