Semi-truck accidents can cause extensive and catastrophic injuries to victims. And for many of these individuals, the harm caused to them will last a lifetime.
Although legal action in the form of a personal injury lawsuit might help offset some of the damages that these victims face, that’s a very remedial approach that does nothing to prevent similar truck accidents from occurring in the future.
And, with truck accident frequency seemingly remaining steady over the last several years, many are left wondering if driving near these big rigs will continue to be dangerous.
New federal rule could make trucking safer
Although public safety initiatives and the imposition of hours-of-service regulations have played a role in increasing trucking safety, they haven’t gone far enough.
Now the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are working on implementing a rule that could revolutionize the trucking industry.
Last year a rule was proposed for the mandatory installation of automatic emergency braking systems on these rigs, which utilize multiple sensors to automatically apply the brakes if a crash seems imminent.
The system would be enabled when the truck is moving at six miles per hour or faster, meaning that even most low-speed collisions could be avoided.
Researchers suggest that the implementation of these braking systems could prevent nearly 20,000 accidents from occurring each year.
In turn, they estimate that more than 150 lives could be saved, and more than 8,000 individuals could avoid the severe injuries associated with wrecks involving semi-trucks.
Extrapolating those statistics over time, these new braking systems have the power to drastically change the safety of modern trucking.
How are automatic emergency braking systems being received?
These systems have already been implemented in Europe with positive results. While many in America are optimistic of their potential impact, others are concerned about the costs associated with the mandatory installation of these systems.
These individuals claim that smaller businesses may be unable to afford these systems, which could devastate their operations.
It’s yet to be seen how truck companies will tackle this issue when the time comes, but for those who have been directly impacted by a truck accident or who know a loved one who has been harmed in one of these wrecks, the costs are minimal in light of the damage caused by just one of these wrecks.
What can be done in the meantime?
Until advanced safety features are installed on semi-trucks and passenger vehicles, drivers need to continue to exercise caution while out on the road.
Defensive driving is a must, which requires you to maintain a safe distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you, move over if the vehicle behind you is driving too closely, find an exit path when surrounded by semi-trucks and other vehicles, avoid distraction, and obey all traffic laws.
If even these efforts aren’t enough to keep you safe, then legal action may be necessary.
Have you or a loved one been injured in a truck accident?
If so, then now is the time to contemplate a personal injury lawsuit. It might be the only way to find accountability and recover the compensation needed to offset devastating losses.
We know the process can be scary and overwhelming, especially when you’re just trying to focus on getting better. But you can’t let this opportunity pass you by if you want gain access to the money you need during your recovery.
So, if you want to learn more about what taking legal action looks like in your case, then please continue to read up on the legal process and what it takes to build a successful personal injury case.