Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveal the dangers that large trucks pose to Missouri motorists: in 2009, there were nearly 3,500 fatal truck accidents nationwide. An additional 74,000 injuries were also reported. In these types of accidents, Injuries are typically very serious.
Our Missouri personal injury attorneys urge drivers to practice safe and cautious driving habits, especially when sharing the roads with large vehicles.The large size of tractor-trailers make them a deadly threat to motorists in the event of a crash.
Fatalities from these accidents decreased by 20% from 2008 to 2009. Roughly 75% of the 2009 fatalities were drivers or occupants of passenger vehicles. 15% were drivers or occupants of large trucks, and 10% were non-occupants. As you can see, the vast majority of victims are passengers of other vehicles, or are bicyclists or pedestrians. The 2009 data shows 74,000 people suffered injuries in these accidents involving large trucks. This statistic illustrates an 18% drop from 2008: 90,000 injuries were sustained in trucking accidents throughout that year.
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) offers passenger-vehicle motorists several tips to help them travel more safely around large trucks.
Staying Safe Around Big Rigs: Tips from MoDOT
• Always allow for a "safety zone" around trucks: give them plenty of space. Make sure you can see their side mirrors. If you can't see them, they can't see you. Stay out of blind spots and always allow plenty of following room.
• Keep your mind on the road. If you're talking on the phone, for example, and you drift out of your lane and into the path of a commercial truck, that driver may not have enough time to respond to your error and prevent a collision. Because of their massive size, these trucks need more time (and more room) to react. Be sure you are paying attention.
• After you pass a truck, do not pull back into the lane in front of it until you can see both of its headlights in your rearview mirror. This practice will ensure that you keep plenty of room between you and the large truck behind you, in case you need to stop suddenly.
• Never linger alongside a truck while driving, even on a four lane road, as you can risk "disappearing" from their vision, falling victim to their blind spots. Pass the truck safely, or return to the right lane.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Missouri trucking accident, contact our personal injury attorneys to schedule a free initial meeting: we have offices in Springfield, Joplin, Columbia, Cape Girardeau, and Kansas City. Call us toll-free 1-888-777-AUTO (2886) today for a confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Attorney meetings by appointment only.
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