Sacramento Truck Accidents Lawyers
EACH YEAR THOUSANDS of motorists and big rig drivers are killed and
maimed by the negligent operation of big rigs by their drivers and by
trucking companies. Semi-truck drivers and the companies they work for
have a duty to operate their vehicles in a safe and responsible manner.
Unsafe driving, oversized loads and various other treacherous practices
put the public and the truck operators in danger.
Trucking Blind Spots
Large commercial semi-trucks and even smaller carrier trucks have very large blind spots or no zone areas. Case in point, the larger the truck, the larger the blind spot. All responsible drivers know about blind spots on the sides of our own vehicles. The tractor trailer driver has two blind spots, one in the rear (back) of the truck, as well as one in the front of the truck. A good defensive driver is aware of truck blind spots and avoids these areas as far as possible. Typically, if you cannot see the truck driver in his mirror, the truck driver most likely cannot see you. If you have been involved in a blind spot (no zone) accident, contact an experienced trucking blind spot accident lawyer for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Trucking Accident Statistics
Large trucks commonly referred to as "semi" trucks and "tractor
trailer" trucks (gross vehicle weight of over 10,000 pounds) represent
only 3% of all registered vehicles on the road, yet they account for
over 25% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in multiple vehicle
accidents.
These are alarming statistics, but more alarming is the reality. The
following excerpts are taken from local Sacramento newspapers regarding
Northern California trucking accidents:
Oct. 31, 2001 - A big
rig heading south on Highway 101 lost its brakes at 60 mph and veered
into oncoming traffic. The truck hit a car driven by 31-year-old (…)
and one driven by (…) 35, of Paso Robles. Both women died. (…) the
33-year-old driver of the truck, died a few days later. A CHP
investigation revealed that (…) had not properly checked his brakes, as
required by law, after picking the produce up in San Ardo. Also, (…)'s
commercial license had been suspended eight days before the accident
after a drunken driving arrest.
(…)44, was heading north on Interstate 5 Tuesday
morning when she found herself inches away from leading off the evening
news as the latest victim of an I-5 big-rig accident. She says the
truck not only merged into her lane, but merged into her Chevy Blazer,
shoving it out of the far right-hand lane and onto the shoulder. She
had to stop on the side of the road to compose herself while the truck
driver sped off. After nine deadly truck crashes on local highways in
the last 16 months, no Sacramento-area commuter should be surprised by
(…)'s ordeal.
Halloween day. Interstate Five near Pocket Road. A big
rig, unable to stop plows into and over two cars. Elk Grove resident is
killed. His wife suffered three broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a
broken clavicle.
The fifth of July. Highway 99 near Manteca. An angry
big rig driver runs over a motorcyclist, dragging the vehicle and it's
helpless rider for more than a hundred yards. The motorcyclist loses a
leg.
June thirteenth. Highway 50 near Sunrise. A big rig driver changes lanes onto a small car, trapping the driver inside.
Accidents happen. More often than not, at least in the
Sacramento area lately, they seem to involve large trucks, trucks
weighing more than 10,000 pounds. A Tractor-Trailer driven by a
mentally unstable man who probably should have never been issued a
carrier's license plows into the state Capitol building. A big rig
chugging down I-5 near the southern outskirts of the city crosses the
center divide and crashes head-on into a truck traveling the opposite
direction. Not a month seems to go by here lately without some major,
fiery truck crash.
SACRAMENTO ---- For the first time in the California
Highway Patrol's history, its three top commanders personally issued
citations to reckless big-rig drivers Tuesday to dramatize a crackdown
on dangerous truckers. "These clowns just won't slow down. There is not
a day that goes by that we don't have a truck-involved crash," Helmick
said earlier this month.
While mechanical failures, reckless driving and improper driver
training account for some crashes, the overwhelming cause is driver
fatigue. The National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA)
reports that driver fatigue is responsible for 30% to 40% of all large
truck crashes and is the probable cause in over 30% of crashes that
resulted in the truck driver's death.
As the competition for trucking contracts increases (over 200,000 new
trucks were registered last year), drivers are under increased pressure
to deliver faster, even if it means falsifying log books and breaking
the law. Truck drivers get paid to deliver their loads on time and many
times they get bonus pay for delivering early and do not get paid when
they aren't driving. Regulations state that a trucker can "drive" for
10 hours per day and must have 8 hours off for each 10 hours of
driving. But, for each 10 hours of driving there is also loading and
unloading their trucks, wait time and log updates. Many times the
trucker's 10 hours of driving begins after hours of physical labor
getting the load ready to go. In a recent survey, almost 20% of
truckers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel at least once in the
previous three month period.
The information relating to trucking accidents is endless. However, the
sad fact is - that by the time you read this, another person will be
injured in a truck related accident and 98% of the injured will not be
truck drivers.
All motorists should be aware of the dangers associated with sharing
our roads with big rigs. Recent studies published by AAA have concluded
that automobile drivers must also accept responsibility for many of the
tragedies resulting from car-truck accidents. The American Trucking
Association has offered the following "common sense" rules for
motorists:
- Never cut in front of a truck; fully
loaded trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds ant take the length of a
football field to stop. Most cars weigh only 2,000 pounds.
- Don't linger alongside a truck; there are 4 large
blind spots around trucks where cars disappear from view and the driver
can't see you
- Pass quickly to resume visibility and change lanes
only when you can see both of the truck's headlights in your rearview
mirror. Never pass on the right - the right blind spot runs the length
of the trailer and extends out 3 lanes.
- Steer clear of front and rear blind spots; stay
back 20 - 25 car lengths and leave 4 car lengths in front of a truck
for safety cushions - following a truck too closely obscures your view
and the driver can't even see you 30 feet behind the truck.
- If you're following a truck and you can't see the driver's face in the truck's side mirrors, the truck driver can't see you.
- Allow truck adequate space to maneuver; they make wide turns at intersections and require additional space.
- Also - be courteous. Acknowledge the truck's turn
signal by flashing your lights and then drop back to allow a truck to
enter your lane.
- When traveling on a single lane road, let the truck
driver ahead of you know that you intend to pass him. Pull slightly to
the left and signal with your lights. An experienced trucker will give
you clearance and respond with his lights to indicate your safe return
to the lane.
To protect your legal rights following severe
injury or wrongful death resulting from a trucking accident, big rig
crash or auto accident, it is wise to immediately consult an
experienced personal injury law firm. Within the first week, important
physical evidence can be lost, and witnesses may forget important
details. Click here to view our Injury Checklist.
The law firm of Demas & Rosenthal, LLP
has extensive experience handling claims involving trucking accidents.
We offer Free Initial Consultations with no obligation for you to hire
our firm.
CALL TODAY: 800-717-1111
Awarded the 2005 Advocate of the Year
John Demas has been recognized by the Capitol City Trial Lawyers
Association as the 2005 Advocate of the Year. The award was given "in
recognition of his extraordinary trial results and his intrepid work in
advocating the rights of consumers." Capitol City Trial Lawyers
Association is the voice of and for Sacramento Trial Attorneys.
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Within the first week, important physical evidence can be lost, and witnesses may forget important details. Click here to view our Injury Checklist.
