Although the number of large truck involved in deadly accidents decreased from 4,766 trucks in 2006 to 4,584 in 2007, the number of large-truck related deaths—4,808 fatalities—and injuries—100,000 victims—is still too high. Truck accidents can occur both from trucker negligence and the negligence of other motorists and pedestrians. Regardless of who caused the accident, however, in many cases it is the pedestrian, motorcyclist, bicyclist, or occupant of the passenger car involved in a collision with a large truck that sustains the most catastrophic injuries or dies.
Commercial truckers are professional drivers who are held to a higher standard of safety on the road than regular motorists. Not only are they operating large vehicles weighing thousands of pounds, but many times, they are transporting extremely heavy or dangerous/hazardous cargo in their vehicles.
It is important that truck drivers exercise extreme caution when operating their large trucks at all times so they can safely arrive to their destinations without becoming involved in a motor vehicle crash. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration offers a number of safety tips for bus and truck drivers:
• Make sure you are well rested before getting in your truck.
• Do not exceed the maximum hours of service that you are allowed to operate your vehicle.
• Make sure that your truck is up-to-date on all maintenance work and that you inspect your truck—especially the brakes—before you go anywhere.
• Monitor your blind spots regularly when driving. 30% of large truck crashes happen in the trucker’s “No-Zone” area.
• Slow down when you are driving close to construction work zones. 30% of deadly work zone accidents involve large trucks.
• If a large truck rear ends another vehicle, liability is often placed on the truck driver. Make sure to keep a safe distance between you and the auto in front of you.
• Wear a seatbelt to protect yourself from sustaining serious injuries in the event of a traffic accident.
• Be a defensive—not an aggressive—truck driver.
Safety Tips for Truck and Bus Drivers, FMCSA
Large Trucks Safety Fact Sheet, NHTSA
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a Maryland or Washington DC truck accident, contact our Maryland truck crash lawyers today.