Truck accidents can be devastating and may result in life-threatening injuries, or even death. In 2020, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated 107,000 injuries due to crashes involving trucks in the United States, and in the state of Georgia, there were more than 7,000 injuries from crashes involving commercial vehicles.
Truck accidents often result in severe injuries due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and severe fractures. The question is: are there ways to prevent truck accidents from happening?
How do we prevent truck accidents?
While accidents are not one hundred percent avoidable, there are proactive ways to prevent them from happening.
- Proper training and licensing for drivers includes training on safe driving practices, vehicle inspections, and adhering to regulations regarding service hours and load securement.
- Regular vehicle maintenance and inspections of trucks, trailers and equipment can help identify and address potential issues before they cause accidents.
- Strict compliance with hours-of-service regulations, which limit the number of hours a truck driver can operate without mandatory rest breaks, can help prevent fatigue-related accidents.
- Avoiding distractions such as texting, eating or adjusting vehicle controls can significantly increase the risk of accidents.
Truck owners can also incorporate advanced safety features in commercial trucks, such as collision avoidance systems, lane departure warnings and blind spot monitoring to help drivers during long drives.
Claiming compensation after an accident
Getting in a truck accident is a serious matter, especially if you acquired major injuries from it. If you want to claim compensation, you should have evidence ready, from photos of the accident to medical records proving your injuries were from the truck accident.
The entire process can be confusing and overwhelming, and you may want to seek legal professionals to help you negotiate with insurance companies to give you a fair chance to receive fair compensation for damages. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and any long-term care needed.
