In 2013, there were 3,964 people killed and an estimated 95,000 people injured in crashes involving large trucks. Of those fatal accidents involving semi-trucks and other large trucks, 71% of those who died were occupants of other, smaller vehicles. Texas alone accounted for 381 killed occupants of other vehicles, compared to Hawaii’s 1 person. As per the Texan reputation, driving in this state especially has many risks that must be considered when we take the road everyday. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identifies a couple of reasons behind the statistic.
Many truck accidents are caused by excessive speed or fatigue. Many studies have linked people who suffer from lack of sleep with impaired hand-eye coordination and slower decision making. Other studies reveal that drivers who stay awake for 16 consecutive hours or more exhibit motor skill impairment similar to people with a .05 blood alcohol concentration level.
Distracted driving was also a major source of trucking accidents. In 2010, the federal government issued a ban on texting while driving for commercial vehicles. While many states already prohibited the practice, the federal government took the initiative to implement a nationwide ban, in part, to address the states who had not yet enacted a distracted driving bill. According to a New York Times report, over 30 states have text messaging bans for all drivers; one-third of those laws were enacted in 2010.
A study by Virginia Tech's Transportation Institute revealed truck drivers were 23 times as likely to be involved in an accident while engaging in texting behaviors. The study examined nearly 4,500 safety critical events from 2004 to 2007 and found texting while driving among the most dangerous activities because of the amount of time drivers spent with their eyes off the road.
Due to the disparity in size and weight, accidents involving trucks and other motor vehicles often result in severe injuries.
If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact Colley & Colley law firm in Tyler, Texas for a free consultation. You may be entitled to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other losses associated with the accident.
15511 W Highway 71
Suite 110-142
Austin, TX 78738
(512) 477-2001
512-477-3335
© 2024 by Colley Firm P.C All rights reserved.
