Trucks are important vehicles in business. Being larger than the normal automobiles, trucks are able to carry large appliances, equipment and other packages in big quantities. They are vital vehicles especially for businesses that cater to courier services or door to door delivery. Each year, the trucking industry in the U.S. contributes $21.4 billion to operate on roads and highways.
It is a reality, though, that trucks just like cars also get into accidents. Many times they have been blamed for the road accidents that take place because of their huge size. But it's not right to say that just because they're called king of the road, the smaller vehicles will always have to make way for them.
Trucks have been involved in numerous accidents in the past. These include the tractor trailers, semi trucks, small trucks, 18-wheelers, other large freight carriers and passenger vehicles.
In the United States alone in the year 2003, more than 4,600 fatal road mishaps out of the total of more than 58,500 involved large trucks. According to the NCSA, most accidents occurred in the rural locations during daytime and on weekdays. Among the states, California recorded the most number of vehicle accidents at more than 5,700 while Texas had the most fatal accidents involving trucks at 438.
When on the road, trucks have been well known for speeding. Statistics show that about 27 percent of all big truck drivers involved in fatal road mishaps had one speeding conviction in the past. Speeding is a common cause as large trucks usually don't have the capability to stop instantly unlike the smaller vehicles.
There are various other factors that lead to truck accidents. These can include inattention of the driver, following other vehicles very closely, mechanical trouble, aggressive driving and lack of attention to blind spots and curves. Minor contributory factors are driver fatigue and truck load.
In Europe, a study on truck accident causes entitled The European Truck Accident Causation (ETAC) found human error to be a major factor at 85.2 percent. This specifically points to speeding, failure to observe intersection rules and improper maneuvering. Road users (75 percent ) and truck drivers (25 percent) were the other causes.
Victims of road accidents who suffer injuries have the right to sue the driver or the company he works for. They can file a lawsuit against the truck company to seek compensation for their injuries or for the death of a loved one. They can turn to truck accident lawyers for advice before they take the proper action. It's best that they consult an attorney before negotiating with the company or before signing any documents from the firm.
A truck accident lawyer can help victims analyze the accident and advice them on the legal steps to take should they decide to pursue a case against the driver or the truck company. If there's major evidence that the truck is to blame for an accident, filing a lawsuit is one of the best ways to encourage reform on truck drivers and for companies using big vehicles to ensure that their drivers get proper training before they hit the road.
No comments:
Post a Comment