The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently launched a comprehensive study of the causes of large trucking accidents. The agency intends to use this data to further its goal of improving the safety of commercial motor vehicles and roads across the U.S.
Rising Number of Accidents
The FMCSA last conducted a study of this kind back in 2001-2003; the study at the time looked at a list of about 120,000 large-truck crashes. However, we know that a lot can change over a period of time that long.
“In the more than 15 years since the original study, many changes in technology, vehicle safety, driver behavior and roadway design have occurred that affect how a driver performs,” the FMCSA said.
Another reason that the agency wants more insight into these accidents is because of the increase in fatal truck accidents. Since the original study, the number of fatal truck accidents did decrease until 2009 — 2,893 fatal crashes.
However, since 2009, the number of fatal truck crashes has steadily been on the rise to 4,415 fatal crashes in 2018 — a 52.6% jump compared to 2009.
New Factors
The agency states that “This study will help FMCSA identify factors that are contributing to the growth in fatal large truck crashes, and in both injury and property damage only (PDO) crashes.” Since the last study was conducted, there are new crash-related factors that need to be taken into consideration, including:
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Distractions caused by cellphones, texting, and other electronics
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The level of driver restraint and other risky driving behaviors
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The use of GPS and other navigation systems
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Equipment designed to enhance safety, such as automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems
We hope that this holds true. Our San Antonio trucking accident attorneys are all too familiar with the devastation that these crashes can cause.
If you or a loved one is injured in a large truck accident, our firm is here to protect your rights to compensation. We will work hard to determine all liable parties and fight for your full financial recovery. Let us take the stress off of your shoulders so that you can focus on healing and moving forward.
Contact The Law Offices of Tyler & Peery at 210-340-0900 to schedule your free case review.