According to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, many changes need to be made to improve trucker safety. Such changes include anti-collision technology, better hours for truckers and better regulation of companies with high accident rates. These are among 100 recommendations that the NTSB says have been ignored despite fatality rates increasing over the past several years.
While the NTSB is not a regulatory body, it does unveil a list each year which highlights issues that it would like to see taken care of. The subject of trucking accidents was thrust into the public spotlight after a truck driver was involved in an accident that left comedian Tracy Morgan seriously injured. It was believed that driver fatigue played a role in that crash, and the trucker who was involved in the crash reportedly hadn’t slept in the previous 24 hours.
Although highways have become safer over the years, 2013 saw an increase in fatalities in accidents involving large trucks. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 3,964 people were killed, which includes drivers, passengers and pedestrians. That number represents a 17 percent increase since 2009. One solution to the problem involves better oversight of trucking companies as nearly 20 percent of large truck inspections revealed safety violations.
Those who suffer from truck accident injuries may suffer chronic pain and may be out of work either temporarily or permanently. Therefore, it may be beneficial to consult with a personal injury attorney as to what legal recourse may be available. With the help of an attorney, it may be possible to win compensation for medical bills and the cost of physical therapy as well as compensation for lost wages.
Source: Bloomberg News, “Trucking Safety Should Be a Higher U.S. Priority, NTSB Says”, Alan Levin , Jan. 13, 2015