Trucking Accident Attorney Blog

A study released earlier this year by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ("FMCSA") concluded that drivers of large trucks involved in truck crashes are ten times more likely to be the cause of the crash when compared to other factors such as road conditions, weather conditions, or problems with the vehicle. This was the first study that focused on analyzing pre-crash factors.

This study reinforces what proponents of truck safety have been saying. More time needs to be spent training truck drivers to make sure they drive with the highest degree of care. These truck safety advocates efforts have largely fell on deaf ears with the current administration in Washington, which consistently has favored loosening regulations of truck drivers and the companies that employ them instead of the safety of the public on the road. Maybe the millions of dollars big business has donated to the Bush administration and the Republican party have been rewarded. But remember, no one should put profits over safety, and every politician that does will have to answer to the voters for their actions some day. Also every trucking company that does so, may end up on the wrong end of a lawsuit by the family members of someone killed by a trucker who has been driving too long and too fast.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, most work zone accidents are caused by inattention, excessive speed and following too closely. In 2004, 28 motorists died and 1,167 people were injured in work zone crashes in Missouri. In 2005 28 MoDOT employees were injured in work zones. Between 2000 and 2005 there have been 119 people killed and 6,267 injured in Missouri work zone crashes. It is plain to see what these statistics show, everyone needs to slow down and pay close attention in work zones.

As the MoDOT slogan goes, "Drive smart and arrive alive" for your sake and the other people on the road.

There are approximately 5,000 deaths annually in truck related accidents on the United States highways. In addition, there were approximately 114,000 injuries from truck accidents last year.

Despite these staggering numbers, The Bush administration has rejected tougher safety standards and has in fact reduced some safety standards such as how long truckers could be on the road before being required to rest. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration backed by the Bush administration has allowed truckers to be on the road longer, rejected proposals to electronically monitor drivers logs to prevent driver from falsifying their log books which is a widespread practice. This backing of big business over the safety of individuals is part of the reason the Bush administration and the Republican party lost control of Congress in November 2006.