A survey conducted recently by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that drowsy or fatigued driving is often as dangerous as drunk driving. Fatigued drivers are prone to losing focus or falling asleep behind the wheel. This type of negligent driving is particularly dangerous when large trucks are involved. To help prevent truck drivers from operating big rigs while drowsy, the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces strict truck regulations on the number of hours truck drivers can work without a break or rest.
Drivers of property-carrying vehicles are regulated under 395.3, which states: “No motor carrier shall permit or require any driver used by it to drive a property-carrying commercial motor vehicle, nor shall any such driver drive a property-carrying commercial motor vehicle: (1) More than 11 cumulative hours following 10 consecutive hours off-duty; (2) For any period after the end of the 14th hour after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty.” Additionally, drivers are not allowed to be on duty 60 hours in any period of seven consecutive days or 70 hours within a period of eight consecutive days.
Trucking companies are legally obligated to monitor the hours their employees are working and to ensure that their drivers are well rested. Victims of fatigued drivers would be well advised to discuss their legal rights and options with an experienced personal injury attorney. At-fault drivers and trucking companies can be held liable for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, hospitalization, the cost of rehabilitation services, and lost wages.
The skilled Oklahoma truck accident lawyers with the Maples Law Firm have a long history of helping victims of truck accidents get the compensation they need and rightfully deserve. Our attorneys know how to obtain records, such as driver logs and vehicle maintenance records, which could prove invaluable in a truck accident case. If you or a loved one has been injured in an Oklahoma truck accident, please call our offices at 1(888) 226-6159 for a no-cost consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
Recent Oklahoma truck accidents have renewed the debate regarding tractor-trailer size and weight limits for Oklahomans. One of these was a big rig accident in Tulsa that involved the truck colliding with a bridge. The day after this accident, there was another tractor-trailer crash in Oklahoma City that was caused by a van that swerved into a tractor-trailer, which subsequently struck a bridge. The tractor-trailer was hauling volatile cargo which fortunately did not ignite. The driver of the van suffered the only injury and westbound traffic on the I-40 had to be shut down. These accidents, as well as a devastating one in Miami, Oklahoma, from 2009 in which a big rig plowed into a line of stopped cars at 70 mph, killing 10 people, demonstrate the safety issues involved with large and heavy trucks.
According to Tulsa World, the U.S. Congress is expected to decide between two opposing bills that would implement new laws concerning big rig size and weight limits. These bills are the Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act, or SHIPA, and the Safe and Efficient Transportation Act, or SETA.
The passing of SHIPA would keep current size and weight limits at up to 53 feet and 80,000 pounds, as well as expand the current national highway system ban on heavier trucks from the interstate highways to its entire 160,000 miles. SETA, on the other hand, increases size and weight limits for six-axle big rigs traveling on interstates within state boundaries. Its intention being to have less large trucks on the road but still transport the same amount of cargo.
There are many opinions concerning these two bills. Some believe that bigger and heavier trucks will cause more catastrophic accidents; others believe that safety would increase because there would be fewer trucks on the road. Regardless of which bill is passed, however, truck accidents will still occur and will unfortunately continue to cause serious injuries and fatalities.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a big rig collision in Oklahoma, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. The skilled Tulsa truck crash attorneys at Maples Law Firm, LLP, will investigate the circumstances of your accident to determine the validity of your claim. To learn more about your legal rights and options, contact us at 1-888-226-6159 for a no-cost consultation.
Sharing Oklahoma roads with trucks can be very intimidating for other motorists because of the large size and immense weight of trucks. These characteristics, especially of large trucks, increase the risk of serious injury or death in the case of an Oklahoma truck crash. Although truck accidents can be caused by faulty manufacturing, poor design, or defective products, the most common cause of truck crashes, involving other vehicles or not, is driver error or negligence.
The most common types of driver error or negligence involve fatigued, distracted, or reckless driving. Although strict federal regulations are in place to prevent truck drivers from working too long without rest, many do not abide by them. The schedule of an Oklahoma truck driver, especially a long-haul truck driver, can be very demanding. The pressure of making a delivery on schedule can lead a driver to work extended hours. This may keep a delivery on schedule but it potentially endangers the driver as well as other vehicles on the road. An exhausted truck driver can fall asleep at the wheel and lose control of the truck; even if the driver does not fall asleep, they will have much slower reaction times, which also increases the risk of an accident. A truck driver that does not follow federally mandated work hour limits they, and possibly their employer, can be held liable for any accidents and injuries that result from their carelessness.
Oklahoma truck accidents may also be caused by a truck operator who was speeding, driving distractedly, recklessly, or otherwise negligently. It is essential that truck drivers comply with speed limits and drive appropriately for the current weather and road conditions. Failing to do so can cause catastrophic Oklahoma injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck crash that was caused by truck driver negligence, you can seek compensation by filing a personal injury claim against the negligent party. Our experienced Oklahoma City truck crash attorneys at Maples Law Firm, LLP, have years of experience handling truck accident injury claims and can help you receive the compensation you are entitled to. Contact us today to discuss your potential claim at 1-888-226-6159.
Truck accidents in Oklahoma can be serious, and oftentimes leave those involved with severe or even fatal injuries. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, a person may sustain injuries that permanently alter the way they live their life. A fully loaded truck weighs approximately 80,000 pounds, and in addition to a truck’s sheer size, even a seemingly “small” accident can have dire consequences. A passenger vehicle can weigh anywhere between 3,000 pounds and 8,000 plus pounds, which is no match for a large commercial truck.
In 2009, large trucks were involved in 4,309 Oklahoma traffic accidents, with 76 of those crashes resulting in a fatality according to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office. Approximately 1,230 of those accidents resulted in injuries of varying severity.
Truck drivers have strict schedules that they must follow, and oftentimes drivers or trucking companies do not always adhere to regulations and laws regarding driving and rest hours. In some cases, drivers may utilize drugs or other stimulants to help them reach their destination on time, depriving their bodies of sleep and endangering other motorists on the road. When this occurs and someone is injured because of truck driver or trucking company’s negligence, those parties can be held liable for any accidents or injuries that result.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident that was caused someone else’s negligence, seek medical attention immediately. Then, contact a highly qualified Oklahoma City truck crash attorney like the lawyers at The Maples Law Firm. We have handled a plethora of truck accident injury cases in Oklahoma and know how to successfully defend your rights in a court of law.
Serious injuries or the sudden death of a loved one in a truck accident can place a heavy burden on a family. That burden is often made heavier particularly if the crash could have been prevented. Our attorneys will build a strong case on your behalf in order to hold all negligent parties responsible for their actions and garner you the compensation you deserve. While no amount of money can take back what happened, it can help with accident-related expenses such as medical bills, loss of a help, loss of income, pain and suffering, and more. Call The Maples Law Firm at 1-888-226-6159 for a free consultation.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently ruled that driver fatigue was to blame in a 2009 Oklahoma crash that killed 10 people, according to the Associated Press.
In 2009, a tractor-trailer driver crashed into a line of cars that were stopped on an Oklahoma highway, causing 10 deaths. The truck driver, who was 76-years-old, had only five hours of sleep before beginning work at 3 a.m. By the time of the accident, he had been on the road for over 10 hours. In addition, the driver suffered from sleep apnea.
A minor collision stopped traffic on Interstate 44 near Miami, Oklahoma. The truck, which weighed 40,000 pounds, sped into the line of cars at almost 70 miles per hour. It smashed into one car, knocked it into another car, and both cars left the highway. Then, the truck rode over two cars and came to a stop on top of a minivan. No evidence was shown that the truck driver tried to stop or swerve. The driver was not speeding or using drugs or alcohol at the time of the fatal Oklahoma truck crash.
In 2000, the NTSB recommended that trucking companies be required to use fatigue risk management programs. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is working on a program they plan to implement around 2012. However, it will not be mandatory for trucking companies. About 31% of all large commercial truck accidents are caused by driver fatigue.
NTSB chairman Deborah Hersman was critical of the trucking industry for failing to follow safety recommendations. She pointed out that the NTSB recommended in 2001 that tractor trailers have warning systems, alerting drivers when the truck is close to a collision. The systems could save almost 100 lives each year, but most trucks don’t have them.
If you have been injured in an Oklahoma tractor-trailer accident, contact the dedicated Oklahoma truck accident attorneys at the Maples Law Firm at 888-429-0609 for a free consultation. Our attorneys will work hard to protect your legal rights.
A recent government ban on texting specific to drivers of large commercial trucks should help cut-down on the number of auto accidents in Oklahoma and throughout the United States involving inattentive truck drivers. Statistically speaking, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute cited truck drivers as being 23 times more likely to be involved in a traffic accident than those drivers who pay full attention to the road. As it now stands, truck drivers can face fines of up to $2,750 for texting while driving, but instances of inattentive truck driving are still occurring across the country.
According to the United States Department of Transportation, distracted driving takes on three different forms: visual, manual, and cognitive. Visual distraction involves taking one’s eyes off the road, a task that the vast majority of people do while text messaging. Manual distraction involves removing one’s hands from the steering wheel – yet another action that characterizes motorists who choose to use their cell phone while operating a motor vehicles. Cognitive distraction involves not fully focusing on the task at hand. While driving a large commercial truck, much attention needs to be given to the road and the safe operation of the vehicle. Texting while driving certainly detracts from a truck driver’s ability to operate the vehicle with the utmost care.
Distracted driving practices greatly increase the likelihood of an accident occurring, and when those accidents involve large commercial trucks, the results can be catastrophic. Trucking companies have an obligation to ensure that the truckers whom they employ operate their vehicles safely, and don’t do so while distracted by tasks such as text messaging. In instances where a distracted truck driver causes an accident, both the truck driver and the trucking company may be held liable for damages resulting from the accident.
At Maples Law Firm, our Oklahoma City truck accident attorneys represent individuals injured in Oklahoma auto accidents involving commercial trucks. If you’ve sustained injury, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at 1-888-429-0609 for more information and a free evaluation of your commercial truck accident case. We will make sure your rights are protected and help you receive the compensation that you deserve.
An SUV accident on the Kansas Turnpike resulted in the deaths of four people and the injury of one more near the Kansas-Oklahoma state border. According to a kansascity.com article, the accident took place when the driver of the SUV attempted to make a U-turn in front of a semitrailer and the two vehicles collided. It was not discussed whether a driving infraction was committed at the time of the incident, or if any other negligent action played a determining role in causing the accident.
The Wellington, Kansas accident took the lives of two males, ages 39 and 27, and two females, ages 22 and 23. A 27-year-old male was also seriously injured during the accident and taken to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. The driver of the semitrailer was not injured and did not require medical attention. Although it was not stated in the report, a more thorough investigation into the cause of this accident will undoubtedly take place.
Accidents involving large vehicles, particularly trucks, can be especially catastrophic. Two of the four individuals killed in the above mentioned incident were thrown from the SUV, while the other two were pinned inside the vehicle. Generally speaking, semi-trailer truck accidents are capable of affecting a larger number of people than collisions that involve smaller passenger vehicles.
In any event, negligence or reckless behavior has no place on Oklahoma roads and highways, and all individuals found responsible for exhibiting such behavior can be held accountable for it. An experienced Oklahoma truck accident attorney will seek compensatory damages on behalf of injury victims, fighting to ensure that their rights are protected. If you’ve been injured in an Oklahoma car accident, please don’t hesitate to contact the skilled personal injury attorneys at the Maples Law Firm. For more information and a free consultation of your case, call us today at 1-888-429-0609.
Source:http://www.kansascity.com/2010/02/25/1772552/4-people-killed-in-accident-on.html
