How Technology Can Prevent Truck Accidents in Jacksonville
Commercial trucks are an invaluable part of our economy. Smaller passenger vehicles often share major roads and highways with these large vehicles. But when a truck driver fails to pay attention, things can take a turn for the worse.
A truck accident that took the lives of four vehicle occupants at the Illinois-Indiana border last year has made national news. The truck driver, who was ostensibly known for putting safety first, was reportedly captured on camera taking his eyes off the road to look at a tablet computer.
According to witnesses, the big rig, which was traveling at 70 mph, never braked before crashing into the back of a 2014 Toyota Camry.
The trucking industry slow to implement safety technology
While it was the responsibility of the truck driver to keep his eyes on the road, some blame falls on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for failing to mandate safety regulations that have the potential to mitigate rear-end truck collisions.
Several recommendations from the National Safety Board have been made to the NHTSA to implement collision-avoidance technology requirements on all commercial trucks. However, the NHTSA has allegedly ignored their pleas.
According to Consumer Reports, the passenger automobile industry seems to be ahead of the commercial trucking industry when it comes to safety technology. Many new vehicles are equipped with:
• Visual and audible warning such as forward-collision warnings, blind-spot warnings, rear cross-traffic warnings, and lane-departure warnings.
• Front and rear automatic braking systems designed to prevent collisions.
• Automatic corrective steering such as lane-keeping assist and lane-centering assist.
• Adaptive cruise control designed to maintain safe distances between vehicles.
However, commercial truck manufacturers are lagging behind when it comes to installing this technology on all new makes and models. For many trucking companies, saving money is a higher priority.
According to a Consumer Reports article, a report by Securing America's Future Energy (S.A.F.E) indicates that in 2015, only 15 percent of all commercial trucks were equipped with collision-avoidance technology.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) estimates that there are roughly 107,000 traffic accidents in the United States each year. About 28 percent of those involve commercial trucks.
Technology is not a substitute for responsibility
Since these massive vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, the damage they cause is often devastating to other road users. Regardless of whether or not the trucking industry has implemented collision-avoidance technology, truck drivers must still uphold their duty of care.
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, it's crucial that you consult with an attorney experienced at handling these claims. Truck accidents can be complex, as they usually involve multiple parties and insurance companies.
The attorneys at Pajcic & Pajcic have a proven track record of holding negligent truck drivers, and their companies, accountable. We've earned numerous significant recoveries for truck accident victims, including a $13 million verdict in a log truck crash involving a negligent U-Turn on US-1.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.