Road and Highway Use
The Trucking Industry and Collisions
The Trucking Industry is an invaluable
resource to the United States economy,
creating an estimated revenue of
255.2 billion dollars a year.
 Tractor-trailers allow
companies to transport important
commodities like grocery items, construction
supplies, and business equipment
in an efficient manner. Current statistics
show an estimated 3.3
million truckers operate on
our nation’s highways, many of whom
own their own trucks and work as
Owner/Operators.
The success of the trucking industry
often comes at a high cost to society
– serious roadway accidents. The U.S.
Department of Transportation’s statistics
showed 4,932 trucks were involved in
fatal traffic accidents in 2005.
Truck accidents can be devastating
to an accident victim and their entire
family. A typical fully loaded large
commercial truck can weigh over 100,000
pounds, while an average passenger
automobile weighs approximately 3,000
pounds. Given the size and weight of
a truck, even at low speeds, a truck
accident can be devastating.
It makes
sense- big trucks cause big impacts
and big injuries.
Higher fuel prices pressure truck
drivers to put in more miles and drive
while fatigued or with unsafe equipment.
Because of this, trucking accidents
are increasing. Conservative estimates
are that every 16 minutes a person
is killed or injured in a truck accident.
Trucking Company Representatives
When truck collisions occur, trucking
companies involved in the accident
often send representatives to the
accident scene. These agents work
to handle everything at the scene
of the accident so that they
can limit or mitigate their
company’s liability.
They will:
- Take possession of the truck
- Take possession of
its data recorders
- Take pictures
and
- Interview witnesses.
This fact gathering is
crucial to
a strong defense of a trucking accident
case, and typically happens days or
even months before the victim has retained
an attorney. Obviously, this puts the
victim behind in pursuing justice!
Even if you think you are not inclined
to file a lawsuit, you should consult
with an experienced trial lawyer as
soon after a crash as possible. Otherwise,
it will be harder for you to recover
your losses later since the evidence
needed to pursue your case will have
disappeared.
Federal and state regulations help
to make the roads safer. Unfortunately,
these laws are increasingly less powerful
as trucking lobbyists have been very
effective in representing their constituents.
Trucking Accident
If you or your
family has been injured on the road
or highway, your choice of an attorney
will be one of the most important decisions
you make. Along with making an informed
decision about an attorney, make sure
to:
- Take pictures of the vehicles and
the scene
- Gather the names of witnesses as
soon as possible
- Find out who was driving the other
vehicle and their insurance company
and
- Don’t talk with an insurance company
until you have talked with your own
Attorney!
If you have been hurt in a trucking
accident and have other questions,
contact The
S.E. Farris Law Firm at 314-A-LAWYER (252-9937)
today for a free consultation.
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