According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, more than 333,000 truck-related collisions were reported last year alone. Semi-trucks regularly weigh between 15,000 and 20,000 pounds. This is why it takes trucks three times longer to come to a stop as passenger cars, and five times more likely to cause serious injury or death. Truck accidents are extremely dangerous and absolutely must be regulated strictly to prevent crashes.
Five Things About Truck Accidents You Probably Didn’t Know
You may have already known that truck accidents are hazardous, but did you know any of these interesting facts?
- CDL Violations – According to the Department of Transportation, one of the most common violations that truck drivers are cited for is not having a valid commercial drivers’ license. Some of the people operating these 20,000 pound rolling sledgehammers are not even trained or certified to do so!
- Inspection Regulations – Federal law requires truck drivers and trucking companies to regularly inspect their vehicles. However, some drivers and trucking companies may not always follow the rules. Many truck accidents have been caused by faulty or damaged parts that should have been inspected and replaced, but never were.
- Fatigued Driving – The Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are supposed to enforce sleeping regulations. These laws prohibit truckers from driving longer than the maximum “hours of service,” yet fatigued driving is one of the most common causes of truck accidents. Trucking companies often prioritize profit over safety and may influence their drivers to violate hours of service regulations. Drivers and companies have been caught in the past altering log books to make it seem as if the regulations were followed.
- Cargo Limits – There are also numerous regulations regarding weight and cargo limits, but they too are frequently ignored by drivers and trucking companies. Single axle trucks are restricted from weighing more than 20,000 pounds. Determining the weight and cargo of a truck after an accident is crucial for any personal injury case.
- Trucking Companies Contact Victims – It is not unusual for trucking companies to try contacting victims or their families after a truck accident. Sometimes they call, other times they send someone personally to the hospital within a few hours of the accident. These people often try to persuade the victims or their families to take a small settlement very quickly and sign a contract forfeiting their right to sue later. Don’t do it! This is no time for you or your family to be making these decisions. The trucking companies only care about themselves and are trying to take advantage of you.
Let the Red Bank, NJ truck accident attorneys at Keefe Law Firm take care of the legal and financial issues while you focus on your recovery and being with your loved ones after a wreck.