With Trucking the Most Deadly Occupation Last Year, There are 3 Measures Every Truck Driver Should Take to Protect the Rest of Us
According to news outlets, the most deadly occupation has been named, and it is truck drivers. More than 852 truck drivers were fatally injured on the job last years, more than any other single occupation according to the Labor Department. And there should be no surprise, as there are over 2 million trucking rigs and over 1.2 million trucking companies in the United States. Just doing simple math and assuming all states are equal—which they are not—that means there are about 40,000 trucking rigs and 24,000 trucking companies in each state. This accounts for over 70% of the freight transport in this country and the gross receipts exceed $1 trillion annually.
With so many trucking companies and truck drivers, it is no one why there are so many truck driver fatalities. However, there are also a lot of victims from truck accidents that are not the truck driver. Indeed, we regularly hear of trucking accidents where the truck driver walks away without any harm but the other people in passenger victims are serious injured or killed. Here are the Mark Caruso, we present those victims of New Mexico trucking accidents by fighting hard to protect their rights. Call us today for a FREE consultation by dialing (505) 407-0458!
Three Highway Safety Measures for Truck Drivers to Protect the Rest of Us
With almost 4,000 people killed and over 100,000 injured in trucking accidents, there are a lot of safety precautions that trucking companies and truck drivers should take to avoid causing serious personal injuries. Many of these accidents are avoidable. In fact, many New Mexico trucking accidents are caused by the negligence of a trucking driver or trucking company. This can allow a victim to have a cause of action for compensation.
Some tips to trucking companies to avoid accidents from a news source provides the following:
- Stay up on the Weather Report – Many times trucking accidents are contributed to by environmental conditions or elements such as the weather. Heavy rain, inhibiting fog, and blinding dust storms are just some of the serious weather conditions that can cause serious truck accidents. If trucking drivers and trucking companies stay on top of developing weather conditions, they can avoid such hazards, plan better how to handle them, and prepare better for enduring them.
- Always Staying Alert – While all driver should always stay alert, many times truck drivers are driving on a deficient amount of sleep, are fatigued physically and mentally from driving all day, and are distracted by cell phones, radio, or other devices in their cabin. This is why there are federal regulations which monitor how much sleep and rest a truck driver gets and prescribes severe penalties for lying about this information.
- Avoid Tailgating Other Drivers – No passenger vehicle likes being alongside a large truck or having a truck ahead or behind them—especially behind them! Large commercial trucks are intimidating and can easily cause anxiety and stress. By following too closely, especially on the highway, this is just a recipe for a serious trucking accident. This is because large commercial trucks are heavy and require a lot more space to stop than a passenger vehicle, and if the brakes are pressed down too hard and too fast, the truck can jackknife causing an even worse accident.
Trucking Companies CAN BE Liable for New Mexico Trucking Accidents
If a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a New Mexico trucking accident, contact the experienced trucking accident attorneys at the Mark Caruso today by dialing (505) 407-0458. You can also contact us on our website through the easy to use and convenient Contact box located by clicking here.
