Most New York drivers will admit that semi-trucks make them nervous when they are on the road. Being directly in front of, directly behind or attempting to pass large vehicles causes many drivers to tense up or feel anxious. These feelings are magnified in the winter with roads slick from ice and heavy rain, as well as during the evening when visibility is poor.
Commercial Vehicle Crashes
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation - reports that commercial vehicles were involved in roughly 77,000 injury-causing accidents in 2006, and over 4,300 resulted in death. The number of total accidents jumps to nearly 370,000 when accidents causing only property damage are included.
The American Trucking Association reports that 3.39 million truck drivers were employed in 2008 - a time when the cost of diesel was at an all-time high. The numbers of truck drivers has steadily increased since 2008, so passenger vehicles must be aware of the risks large trucks present in order to reduce the chance of an accident.
For example, the very size and weight of commercial trucks can be dangerous. They require more distance to fully brake and need large openings to change lanes on the highway. Many truck drivers are also paid by the mile, which incentivizes both driving at faster speeds and driving without enough sleep. Other causes of truck accidents include:
- Drunk driving
- Driver negligence
- Lack of training or insufficient safety inspections
- Regulation violations
Of course, truck drivers are not at fault in every accident, but they must be extra cautious behind the wheel given the extensive damage their vehicles can cause. Safety on the roads is everyone's responsibility and everyone's concern. Passenger vehicles need to stay out of a truck's danger zones (usually marked on the truck itself) and must be sure not to change lanes immediately in front of commercial vehicles or follow too closely in hazardous conditions.
However, anyone injured in a trucking accident should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. He or she may be entitled to compensation for his or her injuries.
