Dangers of Tractor Trailers
The Vehicle Safety (NVS) program serves as the foundation that supports the goal to reduce motor vehicle injuries and fatalities. Although there are efforts to reduce car crashes, nothing can control the distractions of drivers behind the wheel, which often cause crashes in the first place.
Drunk driving accounted for 32% of all traffic related deaths in 2009. And 28% of all crashes in 2008 were due to texting while driving.
Most accidents occur when everyday drivers are distracted and some of those everyday drivers are tractor trailer drivers. When tractor trailers are involved, it makes accidents much more severe, with a much higher chance of fatalities. 11% of fatal accidents included a large commercial truck in 2008, and 97% of the deaths were car occupants, this is a statistic that truck drivers and the public need to be aware of.
Caution to Truck Drivers
Most accidents are preventable, if drivers take the time to drive defensively and help steer clear of less careful drivers, many accidents would not occur. This is especially important around semi trucks.
Tractor trailers are less maneuverable. The average semi weighs from 12,100 pounds to 80,000 pounds, which makes them slower to speed up and harder to slow down. And although truck drivers are often blamed for accidents because of fatigue, 80% of tractor trailer traffic accidents are not the commercial drivers fault.
The best way to prevent these tractor trailer accidents is to pay attention and follow these guidelines:
• Treat Tractor Trailers differently than Normal Cars
A truck's size and weight prevents them from being able to see and stop like a normal vehicle.
Give them space to take the required amount of time to stop, and also to see you. Trucks can not see
you if you are tailgating them or are on the side of them.
• Take Extra Caution in Bad Weather Conditions
Drivers know to give themselves extra time to stop in bad weather conditions - semi drivers need
the same respect. Tractor trailers need quite a bit of space to make stops in snow and rain. So
give them the distance they need and don't pull out in front of them. 8 times out of 10 the driver of
the car will be injured, not the semi driver. So take caution and prevent yourself from getting hurt.
• If You Have to stop on the Highway, Pull off the Road Completely
Drivers with flat tires or broken down vehicles tend to pull right off the side of the highway, right
on the white line trying to prevent putting their cars in the ditch or the mud. Pull off the highway as
much as you can. A little mud on the tires could prevent a major accident. Pulling off the road
completely, prevents distracted drivers from running into your car, especially truck drivers that
could be "nodding off." The side of the highway is a dangerous place to be and pulling off the road
farther could prevent a major collision.
If an Accident Occurs
Sometimes accidents are not preventable, and when an accident occurs a lawyer is often needed. One out of every eight traffic-related deaths and four percent of all injuries in auto collisions involve semi trucks. In a recent 10-year period, the number of deaths caused by a trucking accident increased 10 percent.
Dreesen Law Firm, is dedicated to helping people in St. Louis, MO and Alliance, NE who have been injured in a trucking accident or car accident. Trucking accidents cause devastating injuries that - when they aren't fatal - can fundamentally change the victim's life forever. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a truck accident, an experienced trucking lawyer can help you recover the compensation you will need. Please call our St. Louis office toll free at 866.840.9788 for a free consultation today, or vistit our website truckinglawattorney.com. No attorney fees are due until we settle your case. Get the help and compensation you need today.
No comments:
Post a Comment