Four years ago the American Trucking Association released a list of 20 safety priorities aimed at reducing truck accidents on America’s roads. Cutting down on accidents would not only protect truckers, but everyone who shares the road with them.
A recent report from the ATA identified substantial process on more than half of those 20 steps, showing a broad trend toward improved trucking safety. Some areas that saw improvement include the safe use of technology to combat distracted driving, nationally certifying medical examiners who determine whether truckers are fit for the road and a system for prescreening potential drivers.
However, the president of the ATA stressed that there is still work to be done. It is important to celebrate these accomplishments but the trucking industry can still make more progress on their quest for accident-free roads.
A collision with a large semi truck can be catastrophic, with consequences going well beyond the scope of a typical motor vehicle accident. The large size and weight of trucks makes them particularly formidable in a crash, particularly on highways and freeways when motorists are traveling at high speeds. There are also several issues unique to truck accident litigation, including the role of the truck driver, his or her employer and other factors that may have contributed to the accident.
When you are trying to recover from serious injury and facing major expenses like medical bills and vehicle repairs, that difficulty may be compounded by an inability to work caused by your injuries. It can be difficult to know where to turn. Consider speaking with a personal injury attorney who has experience handling truck accident claims. He or she can work with you to help you recover physically and financially.
Source: BLR, “Truck association cites progress on safety agenda,” Feb. 14, 2013
