Truck drivers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. There are many factors that they have to deal with while they are driving. From truck maintenance to traffic congestion, truck drivers have to make safety a top priority. Unfortunately, there are still thousands of semi-truck accidents and fatalities every year. Many accidents were caused by common factors. Here are the dangerous causes of semi-truck accidents.
Speeding To Meet
Deadlines
Many truck drivers who speed to meet deadlines can cause deadly
accidents. By driving faster than the flow of normal traffic, these drivers put
themselves and everyone else on the road at risk. Since the truck usually
weight several times more than other vehicles, truck drivers should be driving
within the speed limit. However, when truck operate on deadlines that are too
tight, they end up speeding. In the past, this has led to preventable truck
accidents. It is up to the trucking companies and drivers to create manageable
and safe timelines for deliveries.
Lack Of Driver
Training
Despite what most people think, truck drivers must undergo a significant amount of training. In addition to obtaining a CDL license, trucking companies usually provide additional resources and safety information. According to the Girardi | Keese website, a truck accident lawyer, “Truck drivers and companies are required to follow strict federal safety guidelines.” Companies must ensure that drivers follow these guidelines through proper training. Additionally, truck drivers in reputed companies might be required to complete a defensive driving course. If a novice truck driver is not properly trained, they could end up making a costly mistake on the road. In many instances, newer truck drivers have caused accidents due to inadequate training. Ways to help this include using DOT compliance services to provide fleets with proper expectations around safety and compliance.
Image source Pixabay
Road Traffic Conditions
It is a common misconception that many of these fatalities are due to driving in bad weather. In fact, trucks drive fairly well in the rain or snow because of their tires. Most of the accidents or fatalities reported take place during the summer months. This is because more people are on the road, and there is a lot more traffic. People also tend to cut in front of trucks, thinking that they move slower than other cars. But because of the intense weight carried by trucks, they are not able to break as fast as cars, causing accidents. In fact, large trucks weigh 20-30 times more than passenger vehicles which takes much longer to stop. When there is more traffic on the road, passenger cars can increase the chances of an accident.
Poor Sleep Patterns
One thing that all truckers struggle with is poor sleep patterns. Truck drivers work extensive hours, and they can range between different times throughout the day. Because of this, these drivers work with inconsistent sleep schedules. Drivers also tend to take less sleep breaks because they are not getting paid when they are not driving. This lack of sleep greatly affects how a person drives and could make the truck driver liable in an accident. It also negatively affects the person’s health. While being a truck driver is already a stressful job, doing it with sleep deprivation increases an individual’s sensitivity to stress. These poor sleep patterns greatly contribute to the dangers of being a truck driver.
Loading And Unloading
Locations
Additionally, many truck accidents happen at loading
stations. Truckers that help load or unload their truck commonly get injured by
equipment on the docks. Other loading stations may be in dangerous areas. There
have been some cases in which drivers have been hurt due to unsafe factors of
the areas they are delivering to. Even truck stops can be dangerous. While the
drivers are walking to or from their trucks, they need to keep a look out for
other trucks in the area. If they were to walk in the blind spot of another
driver, they could get seriously injured. These specific working conditions can
greatly affect the driver during their jobs.
Overall, trucking is seen as one of the most dangerous jobs because of the high number of fatalities. There are many factors that contribute to truck accidents. Firstly, speeding with a truck is very dangerous. If an inexperienced truck driver does not have enough training, they could cause an accident. Depending on the time of year, traffic congestion is another cause for major truck accidents. On a personal level, drivers have to sleep properly and exercise caution at loading areas. These are contributing factors to accidents that could be avoided.
California is home to some of the country’s most beautiful and congested roads. Millions call California home and millions of others visit each year to take in the seascapes, landscapes, and tourist attractions. Each year, individual California drivers log an average of 13,636 miles, which exceeds the national average of 9,363 miles per driver. Collectively, Californians drive over 300 billion miles. These numbers do not take into account (a) tourists, (b) businesspeople, and (c) out-of-state drivers passing through.
Image source Wikipedia
Hundreds of Car Accidents on California Roads Every Day
With so many cars on the road and so many miles being driven it should not be surprising that injury-causing auto accidents occur quite frequently. In 2013, the latest year for which data was available, more than 157,000 traffic accidents caused more than 223,000 injuries in California. That is 430 accidents and 610 injuries each and every day in the Golden State. Research points to a correlation between an improving economy, the number of vehicles on the road, and injury causing accidents. “We’ve seen a huge spike of car crash personal injury claims in our office” say Sherwin Arzani, an attorney that handles car accident cases in Los Angeles, CA. “As the economy continues to grow it is likely that we will continue to see hundreds of traffic accidents in California each day,” Mr. Arzani goes on to say.
Injuries caused by a California car accident can be severe. A personal injury lawsuit for damages against those responsible for causing the crash can be a great way to get the much needed financial support you require to get back to your day-to-day life. Make sure to consult your doctor and attorney before returning to work. Injuries that car accident victims often seek to recover compensation for include:
Traumatic brain injury;
Spinal cord injury;
Internal organ damage;
Internal bleeding;
Loss of limbs;
Whiplash;
Disfigurement;
Paralysis; and
Death.
What kind of compensation will you be able to ask for in your personal injury lawsuit? The answer is directly related to the kinds of injuries you sustained. These injuries could be physical, emotional, psychological, or even financial. Damages are generally broken down into two categories: economic and noneconomic.
Economic damages are paid to compensate you for verifiable and easily identifiable losses. These often include past and future medical costs, lost wages, projected lost future wages, and costs of property damage repair or replacement. If a loved one is killed in a car accident, families may seek to recover costs associated with the funeral and/or burial of the victim.
Noneconomic damages are paid to compensate you for losses that are more difficult to assign a monetary value. These losses are often very personal and depend on more subjective details. Noneconomic damages may include emotional distress, embarrassment, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and loss of enjoyment of life. If a loved one is killed in a car accident, families may seek to recover costs associated with their own emotional distress, loss of consortium or companionship, and grief.
Why Should I Hire a California Car Accident Attorney After My Accident?
The time following a car accident can be overwhelming. This is especially true if you sustain serious injuries and need to find a way to pay your medical bills. Hiring an attorney can help to reduce the stress you face and maximize the compensation you are able to recover. Attorneys have experience dealing with the complexities of personal injury claims and understand the nuances of the law. Insurance companies will want to take advantage of victims shortly after an accident and prey on a lack of specialized legal knowledge. Hiring an attorney can help to ensure that your rights are protected and that you recover the compensation you deserve – and not a penny less. When you hire an attorney to represent you they may:
Review the police report, photographs of the scene of the accident, and medical evaluations;
Independently investigate the accident;
Consult with experts, including medical professionals and accident recreationists;
Find and interview witnesses;
Communicate and negotiate with insurance companies;
Determine potentially responsible parties;
Research similar cases to help maximize compensation;
Draft compelling legal arguments to persuade defendants and the court; and
Communicate with you and explain the process.
At Citywide Law Group, a trusted Los Angeles personal injury law firm, we do not want to add more stress to a victim’s life after an accident. We understand the financial pressure that often accompanies a car accident. To help ensure that victims are not afraid of seeking legal representation we offer our services on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not get paid until we recover compensation for you. If you have been injured in a California car accident, contact our office today for a free, no-commitment consultation.
According to police records, Bobbi Kristina Brown was involved in a car crash that injured two people days before she was hospitalized, the AP reported.
Police in Roswell, Georgia, say Bobbi Kristina Brown, 21, was driving a Jeep Liberty on January 27 when she lost control, crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with another vehicle. A passenger in the Jeep and the other car’s driver were taken to the hospital.
Four days later, on January 31, Bobbi Kristina Brown was found unresponsive in her bathtub, and her family said she’s been “fighting for her life”.
Records also show that Nick Gordon called police in July 2013 saying Bobbi Kristina Brown had fallen and was unresponsive. The officer wrote that Whitney Houston’s daughter was disoriented and went to the hospital.
University of Cincinnati running back Chamoda Kennedy-Palmore died in traffic accident on Thursday, September 25. He was only 19.
The accident occurred on Vine Street, north of the UC campus in Clifton Thursday afternoon. Chamoda Kennedy-Palmore was riding his motorcycle and wearing a protective helmet and equipment when he hit the side of a car attempting to turn across two lanes of traffic, according to reports.
Police told the Cincinnati Enquirer the driver of the other vehicle was in serious but stable condition Thursday night.
Chamoda Kennedy-Palmore was a 2013 graduate of Lakota East High School in Liberty Township. UC associate athletic director Ryan Koslen confirmed the Kennedy-Palmore was a member of the UC program last season as a walk-on and had recently rejoined the team after a tryout following the season opener against Toledo.
Chamoda Kennedy-Palmore was riding his motorcycle and wearing a protective helmet and equipment when he hit the side of a car attempting to turn across two lanes of traffic (photo UC Athletic Department)
“Our football program and University has suffered another great tragedy,” head coach Tommy Tuberville said in a statement released by UC.
“I’m a father first and a coach second and it’s always hard to put your thoughts into words during times like these. Chamoda was a talented non-scholarship player and a key member of our scout teams. He worked hard and earned his spot on the roster. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
This is the second fatal accident involving one of UC players in just over one year .
Freshman offensive lineman Ben Flick was killed in a single car accident last year on September 21 while traveling back from the Bearcats’ win at Miami (Ohio). Wide receivers Mark Barr and Javon Harrison were also injured in the accident. They have been medically disqualified from playing but remain on scholarship at UC, said Ryan Koslen.
Chamoda Kennedy-Palmore rushed for 775 yards and five touchdowns in his senior season at Lakota East helping the Thunderhawks reach the OHSAA playoffs for the first time in school history. He had 204 yards from scrimmage as they won their first playoff game, 45-38, against Springboro.
Some of his teammates expressed their grief on Twitter on Thursday evening.
UC (2-0) plays at No. 20 Ohio State(2-1) on Saturday, September 27.
A moment of silence is planned prior to the game Saturday night.
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