Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers: Collision Avoidance Systems
December 19, 2016If you have ever witnessed the aftermath of a truck accident, you know that the damage caused by these large vehicles can be severe, and the injuries devastating and often fatal. Many of these tragic wrecks could have been avoided if the trucks were equipped with collision avoidance systems, which many passenger vehicles already have as a standard option. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released a study that examined how this life-saving technology can benefit the trucking industry and help avoid serious truck accidents.
According to the NHTSA study, which tested the collision avoidance system that was installed in a fleet of semi-trucks, none of the trucks were involved in a rear-end collision during the 12-month study period. In fact, the manufacturer of the crash avoidance system said that truck companies that use the system reported 87 percent fewer rear-end collisions, and costs attributed to rear-end collisions were down 90 percent.
Why Trucks Accidents Are So Dangerous
The average truck weighs up to 80,000 pounds, which makes it both heavier and taller than the average passenger vehicle. This can have deadly consequences if the truck driver rear-ends the car in front of them. Depending on how fast the car and the truck are traveling, the truck could easily crush the car, fatally injuring the passengers instantly. In addition, because trucks have such large blind spots, truck drivers have a difficult time seeing cars if they are within 20 feet of the truck’s nose.
Lawmakers and regulators are hopeful that this technology, combined with the addition of mandatory underride guards, will significantly improve the safety of tractor-trailers. The ultimate goal is to reduce rear-end crashes to zero percent. While that is an ambitious goal, the new study suggests that the technology does work.
Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Seek Maximum Compensation for Truck Accident Victims
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck accident in Maryland, you are urged to contact the Baltimore truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. Our dedicated team will work tirelessly to determine who is responsible for your injuries, and pursue to maximum financial compensation. We will protect your rights every step of the way. To set up 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 victims of truck accidents 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, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
