4.9 out of 5.0 on Truck Accident
How to Drive Safely Around Big Trucks
Trucks are massive, and they take a lot longer to stop than cars. That’s why drivers and passengers in regular vehicles, bicyclists, motorcycle riders and pedestrians are all vulnerable to the ravages of truck accidents. In a recent year, over 5000 people died in crashes involving trucks, and about 130,000 people are injured in these accidents annually.
New Rule Allows 18-Year-Olds to Drive Trucks Across State Lines
The trucking industry in America is dealing with a shortage of qualified drivers. Currently, a shortage of 80,000 truck drivers is adversely affecting the supply chain, as reported by Fortune. In response to this situation, the federal government has established the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program, which will allow 18-year-olds with a state issued CDL and a clean driving record to drive big rigs across state lines, under the supervision of an experienced commercial driver.
How Driver Inexperience Contributes to Truck Accidents
In recent years, the need for truck drivers has significantly increased. While good for the trucking industry, the increase has led to many less experienced truck drivers operating commercial trucks on the highways and streets in Colorado Springs and throughout the state.
There is no question that experience is a critical point in whether a driver can operate a commercial truck safely. Semi-trucks, tractor trailers, 18-wheelers, and big rigs – these vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 lbs. when fully loaded. They require a long distance to come to a complete stop, and any driver error can lead to a disaster, with innocent people sustaining serious or fatal injuries.
The Deadly Impact of Cargo Spills
We have all driven next to a truck with “Hazardous Material” stamped on its side and felt our whole bodies tense up. Tanker trucks that transport hazardous materials must be handled with great care, as a single mistake by the trucker can cause a devastating accident.
You might assume that these trucks only transport oil, biofuels, and gasoline, but “hazardous materials” can also include everyday products like paint and hairspray. Even with this seemingly harmless cargo, there is still the potential for a deadly cargo spill.
Garbage Trucks: More Dangerous Than You Think
A city needs garbage trucks in order to run properly. Without them, garbage would pile up, and there would be serious hygiene and health problems in Colorado. However, just because garbage trucks are necessary doesn’t mean they are safe. In fact, garbage trucks are incredibly dangerous to those near them.
The Dangers of a Truck’s Blind Spots
When you are merging or making a turn, you most likely glance over your shoulder to check your blind spot. A blind spot is the area near the back corner of a car that neither the side nor the rearview mirror can see. This area should always be checked when a driver is changing lanes, otherwise he or she could slam into another car.
What many drivers may not realize, however, is that the blind spots on a commercial truck are much larger — and far easier to get stuck in than your standard passenger vehicle. Anyone who gets behind a wheel should keep the blind spots of big rigs in mind. Otherwise, they may find themselves in a serious accident.
The Little Box That Could Make Your Truck Accident Case
Truck accidents are among the most dangerous accidents you could find yourself in. 18-wheelers can weigh upwards of 80,000 lbs. and have the size to match their weight. When a passenger vehicle and truck collide, the truck always comes out on top. The end result is catastrophic injuries and property damage for those in the smaller vehicle. Filing a claim against the negligent truck driver and their company can help minimize the financial stress truck accident victims often find themselves under, but winning a claim requires a rigorous investigation and proper evidence.
That is where black boxes come in.
If You’re in a Truck Accident, Get Ready to Meet the Trucking Company’s Legal Team
The insurers that represent commercial trucking companies employ seasoned and formidable teams of lawyers, whose job is to diminish their client’s culpability for accidents and reduce the amount of money they pay out. To get the compensation you deserve, you’re going to need an equally experienced and skilled legal team fighting for you.
How Runaway Trucks Endanger Lives on the Road
Colorado’s rugged landscape makes for beautiful scenery, especially when you take a drive down a mountain pass. Unfortunately, this landscape also creates incredibly dangerous conditions for tractor-trailers. In fact, hundreds of articles detail the locations and conditions of what they call Colorado’s most dangerous roads. Some of these roadways include Pikes Peak Highway, Loveland Pass, and Trail Ridge Road.
If You Feel Fatigued, Do Not Risk Driving on Colorado Roads
The National Sleep Foundation recognizes that drowsy driving is a growing problem in its annual “Drowsy Driving Prevention Week” every November. This nationwide campaign comes as studies have shown that fatigued driving causes a significant number of crashes every year.
Colorado is particularly prone to drowsy driving, due to the long stretches of highway and interstate that connect the major metropolitan areas across the rural areas of the state. In fact, Colorado has one of the highest percentages of fatal accidents caused by tired driving in the nation.
