Truck Accidents
How Amazon Pushes Its Drivers to Dangerous Extremes
Accidents caused by overworked and tired delivery truck drivers are common in Massachusetts. Amazon drivers are among the most involved in delivery accidents, given their extreme working conditions. A single Amazon driver delivers as many as 300 packages daily, often without time to rest or adequate breaks. Besides, these drivers are under intense pressure to deliver packages on time to avoid cancellations. These conditions make them quite dangerous on the road, increasing the risk of accidents. Read on to find out how Amazon pushes its drivers to dangerous extremes and how a lawyer can help you get compensated should you be injured.
The Importance of Good Trucker Braking Practices
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that trucks account for about 7% of road traffic accidents. However, trucks are involved in 12.5% of annual traffic accident deaths in the country. These significantly disproportionate statistics show that accidents involving trucks are more likely to result in death than car crashes. This is why it is vital for all truckers to maintain safety measures and observe traffic rules to avoid crashes.
Why Do Truckers Fall Asleep at the Wheel in MA?
The dramatic increase in e-commerce that occurred with the pandemic and other factors have contributed to a significant increase in commercial truck traffic. With more semi tractor-trailers on the roads today, truck accidents are on the rise in Massachusetts and throughout the nation. In 2020, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
Do Big-Rig Trucks Actually Use “Black Boxes”?
In a collision involving a passenger vehicle and a big rig, occupants of the passenger vehicle are likely to suffer serious injuries. The average passenger vehicle weighs 4,000 pounds, while a fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh 80,000 pounds or more. When a crash is caused by the trucker or trucking company, black box data can be used as evidence in a claim for compensation brought by injured victims or their families. Most big rigs have some type of black box.
How the Trucking Industry Creates Unsafe Driving Conditions
The trucking industry is heavily regulated, as semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and other commercial trucks pose a serious risk to other motorists. When a large truck is out of control, the result can be a disaster for innocent drivers and passengers who are in the wrong place at the wrong time. The trucking industry runs on tight schedules, with profits based on deliveries. Some types of actions taken by trucking firms could increase unsafe driving conditions.
Modern Technology for Trucking Accidents
Even with the rise of remote work in recent years, driving or riding in a vehicle as part of performing job duties is still a necessity for many Americans. Supply chain issues have surfaced during the coronavirus pandemic and have exposed vulnerabilities in the industry, but goods and services will always need to be transported throughout the country. As that happens, the reality is that there will be accidents in which people are injured or killed, and where large vehicles like trucks will cause damage.
Getting to the Bottom of Truck Accidents in Massachusetts
Nothing is more horrific than being involved in a semi-truck accident. These collisions are rarely minor and often leave victims with serious injuries that last for years, if not the rest of their lives.
How the Hours of Service Impact Trucking Accidents
It is widely known that driver fatigue is a serious issue in the trucking industry as more and more accidents are reported on the nightly news. Every driver understands that a lack of sleep can lead to a deadly collision, but this matter is exasperated for truck drivers who travel long-distances without breaks. To limit the dangerous practice of driving while tired, federal regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have imposed hours of service for commercial truck drivers. However, strict fines and legal action have not completely eliminated it, and truck drivers are still likely to be involved in serious or fatal accidents on Massachusetts’s roadways.
Do Truck Drivers Have to Follow Special Rules on the Road?
Commercial truck operators have specific regulations and compliance requirements that are dramatically different than those for private passenger vehicles. The industry is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) with assistance from state entities for enforcement.
There are over 500,000 active interstate motor carriers in the U.S. One reason for national uniformity and rigid regulation is the potential impact these large vehicles can have on public safety. Most fatalities in large truck collisions are sustained by those in passenger vehicles. These trucks’ weight can be over 20 times that of a car’s. When loaded with freight, they require at least 20% more distance to reach a complete stop.