Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers: Truck Accidents On the Rise
March 24, 2017
Each year in the United States, there are approximately 11 million trucks traveling on roadways across the country. While trucks comprise only 4.7% of the total vehicles on the road, they are involved in 12.4% of all fatal traffic accidents. Prior to 2009, there was a steady decline in the number of truck accidents across the country. However, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the number of truck accidents has started to rise once again.
Officials believe that the driving force behind this serious safety issue is that truck drivers are often under a great deal of pressure to reach their quota of miles driven. As a result, they may ignore recommended safety protocols, delay truck maintenance and repairs, and drive on too little sleep.
When a passenger car is involved in an accident with a truck, chances are, the occupants of the car are the ones who are likely to be injured. In fact, the passenger of the car is five times more likely to suffer fatal injuries than the truck driver. The majority of these fatal accidents occur on minor roads rather than interstate highways.
Factors That Contribute to the Rise in Truck Accidents
There is a significant amount of turnover in the trucking industry. As a result, there are a large number of inexperienced drivers who have not received adequate training on how to safely operate such a large vehicle. The rise in wrecks can also be attributed to unsafe equipment. According to an estimate by the American Trucking Association, only ten percent of the trucks on the roads today are equipped with active safety technology. In a 2009 study, researchers found that over 200,000 trucks had safety violations, yet the truck companies continued to allow the trucks to be used, even when the violations included defective brakes, bald tires, and truck drivers who had drug or alcohol dependency issues.
The federal government has limitations on the number of “doubles” and “triples” that are allowed on highways. The truck companies are urging the government to allow more of these large trucks, which require up to six axles, and, due to their massive size, are 20 times heavier than the average passenger vehicle. Many states ban triple trailers due to significant safety concerns and their tendency to tip, as well as requiring a longer braking distance.
Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Serious Truck Crashes
If you have been seriously injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. The Baltimore truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton will determine who is responsible for your injuries, whether it is the truck driver, the truck company, or individual responsible for the truck’s maintenance. We will seek the maximum financial compensation and ensure that your legal rights are protected every step of the way. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent truck accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
