Large commercial trucks are an essential part of our economy. In most cases, the drivers who operate these big rigs are able to do so without posing a risk to Indiana road users.
Sometimes truck drivers, and the companies that employ them, make errors that result in catastrophes – many of which are preventable.
Transportation officials have spent years delving into the leading causes of truck crashes, but research has taken a recent turn into determining crash preventability.
Transportation officials seek to determine how truck crashes can be prevented
According to an article in American Trucker, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently proposed a permanent crash preventability determination program in order to gain insight into potential safety risks on U.S. roadways.
The FMCSA seeks to roll out this program by examining the practicality, costs, and benefits determining and displaying the preventability of certain types of crashes.
In August 2017, the FMCSA began reviewing more than 5,600 crashes involving truck and bus companies to determine if the carriers involved could have taken preventative measures. Approximately 94 percent of those crashes, however, were deemed unpreventable by the motor carriers.
“Data drives our agency’s decisions, and the information we’ve received and analyzed during the demonstration project informed our action today to expand and improve the crash preventability program,” said FMCSA Administrator Raymond P. Martinez.
What types of truck crashes are preventable?
Determining which crashes are preventable depends on the actions of either the truck driver, trucking company, or both.
Preventable truck crashes involving driver negligence include:
- Drowsy driving caused by poor sleeping habits, skipping mandatory breaks, and spending long hours on the road
- Distraction from cellphones, tablets, paperwork, eating, drinking, and multitasking
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Impaired driving due to alcohol, prescription drugs, and other substances
- Noticeable mechanical failures that occur on the road, such as brake defects and tire issues
- Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo
Preventable truck crashes involving a trucking company include:
- Mechanical failures due to poor maintenance
- Failure to equip trucks with reflective devices and tape for visibility
- Failure to get trucks properly inspected
- Allowing trucks that have failed inspection to be operated
If you were hurt in a truck crash, or lost a loved one, because of the negligent actions of the driver or trucking company, it’s important that you take immediate legal action.
The attorneys at Boughter Sinak, LLC have built a reputation for standing up to trucking companies and helping injured motorists maximize their compensation. To find out how we can help you, contact us online and set up your free case evaluation with our legal team.