Trucking Industry Practices That Endanger Us All
Trucking has been a critical part of American transportation for decades. In the last decade, however, there has been a sharp increase in the number of truck-related fatalities and accidents.
In 2019, 4,119 people lost their lives in vehicle accidents. The drivers or occupants of regular, non-commercial cars made up 67% of those fatalities. Motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians combined comprised 15% more. The remaining 16% were occupants and drivers of trucks.
To address this problem, we need to look at how commercial drivers are trained and how they operate their vehicles. We also need to examine the relationship between drivers and their employers, as well as how trucking companies interact with each other and with customers.
Unsafe Trucking Practices and How They Cause Accidents
The trucking industry is a high-risk one, and it’s important to remember that while trucking companies may seem like they have your best interests at heart, they are also businesses whose bottom line is their main concern. That means that some trucking companies pressure their drivers into unsafe driving practices that can cause accidents.
One of the most common is speeding. Truckers who drive too fast put themselves at risk of losing control or crashing into other vehicles on the road, especially if they’re traveling in bad weather conditions or on a winding road. In addition, driving too fast can lead to fatigue, which can also lead to accidents.
Another unsafe practice that truckers are pressured into is not taking breaks when they need them. Truckers often have strict deadlines to meet with clients and don’t have time for breaks—but this can lead to drowsy driving, which increases the likelihood of accidents happening because of lack of sleep or rest.
Truckers who go without food and water for long periods of time are also putting themselves at risk of becoming dehydrated or suffering from hunger pains while behind the wheel—both of which can cause crashes due to distraction caused by discomfort (or actual physical pain).
Common Injuries and How You Can Collect Evidence and Pursue Compensation
Aside from fatalities, 130,000 people experience injuries from truck accidents every year, including whiplash, neck injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident and believe that your injury was caused by a negligent truck driver or their employer, then you may be entitled to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
To collect evidence and pursue compensation for your trucking accident injury, it’s important that you:
- Take pictures of the scene before anything has been moved around or cleaned up
- Take pictures of any damage done to your vehicle
- Collect written statements from any witnesses who saw what happened
- Report the accident as soon as possible so that law enforcement can investigate
Once you’ve collected this evidence and made these reports, it’s time to call an attorney. A Dallas truck accident lawyer at The Lenahan Law Firm will be able to help you navigate through this complex process so that you can get the compensation that you deserve.
How a Dallas Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
Trucking practices that endanger us all have been the subject of much debate, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself from harm. At The Lenahan Law Firm, we believe that everyone deserves to be safe on the road, and we help injured people recover damages from negligent trucking companies.
If you have been involved in a harmful incident regarding trucking, please contact The Lenahan Law Firm at (214) 295-1008 for a consultation today.
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