Commercial Truck Accidents and Consumer Rights
The trucking industry, a major component of the U.S. economy, plays a significant role in the transporting billions of products across the country each year, putting more than 15 million commercial vehicles on the road. Statistics show that long distance commercial truck drivers travel more than 100,000 miles annually, and semi trucks are involved in the transport of 68 percent of goods in the U.S.
Although vital to our economy, commercial trucks contribute to a significant percentage of road crashes each year. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), more than 400,000 car crashes involving large trucks and buses occur annually, amounting to property damage and injury costs of more than $100 billion.
Commercial truck accident attorney Amy Witherite states, “It is important that drivers are aware of their legal options when they have been involved in a major commercial vehicle accident caused by the negligence of a commercial truck carrier or truck driver.”
FMCSA data reveals that more than 300,000 driver violations are detected during roadside inspections each year. And more than 130,000 hours of service violations are detected during inspections. This is added to the thousands more violations that fly under the radar.
This helps paint the broad picture of the risks posed to many passenger vehicle drivers who share the highways with commercial trucks drivers.
Witherite adds, “Unfortunately the majority of individuals injured by truck drivers and trucking company negligence are drivers of passenger vehicles who unsuspectingly find themselves in the pathway of a dangerous commercial vehicle.”
When commercial carriers fail to take the appropriate steps to ensure that the drivers they employ take required safety precautions and road accidents result, they are responsible for any damages incurred by those affected.
If you have been involved in a major car accident, the law entitles you to seek legal financial compensation from the responsible party, including pain and suffering, vehicle repairs, loss of income, and medical expenses. Having the support of a commercial truck crash attorney during one’s healing process can be a lifeline.
The attorneys of Witherite Law Group are available to help you if you’ve been injured in a commercial truck accident so you can understand your legal options. Our attorneys will walk you through the process. Call 1-800-Truck-Wreck® to speak with someone today.