Unfortunately, vehicle accidents happen, especially here in Orlando. During a car crash there is always the potential for injuries. Auto accidents claim the life of over 37,000 people each year in the United States, while 2.35 million are injured or disabled, making them the single greatest annual cause of death.
When it involves a truck or semi, the risk increases exponentially. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “In 2015 there were 4,067 people killed and an estimated 116,000 people injured in crashes involving large trucks. In the United States, an estimated 433,000 large trucks were involved in police-reported traffic crashes during 2015.”
Any accident can have devastating consequences, but truck accidents have their own set of risk factors.
Whether it is a tractor trailer or pick up truck, they are considerably larger than most vehicles and can weigh as much as 30 times more. They also have a wider ground clearance and are much taller. Overloading, can not only damage our roads, they can increase the risk of a crash.
The larger the truck, the more time they need to brake. Depending on what the truck is hauling and the weight. Once a semi truck traveling at 60 mph applies the brake to stop, on average, they need the length of a football field, about 310 feet to stop.
This is of course if the brakes are working properly and the truck is well maintained and the brakes are working. One of the most common reason a truck is placed out of service is for brakes and/or tires, according to the NHTSA.
For one reason or another, many truck drivers admit to driving over the allotted 11 hours a day, violating the hours of service federal regulations, leading to truck driver fatigue.
Another contributing factor is hazardous cargo, chemicals, unstable, and flammable materials. In the event of an accident, what the truck is transporting can significantly increase the risk of injuries and damages.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, whether it was a truck or another vehicle, the law firm of James P. Kelley is dedicated to protecting your rights.