Trucking Accident Causes
During the LTCCS, data was collected on driver sleep history, number of hours behind the wheel and fatigue. This type of data can be used to help guide government agencies when changing trucking rules and regulations.
The study also sought to collect data on whether working conditions such as, wages and scheduling had an impact on the number of large truck crashes. Research associated with working environment may inform policy makers on whether truck driver conditions need to be regulated to improve safety.
Investigation of whether roadway design affects truck safety was also tracked through looking at the relationship between road design and crash statistics. For example, are truck lane restrictions effective in lowering crash risks? Many environmental factors can be very specific and can be used when investigating individual crashes.
The data collected in the LTCCS database provides information on large truck accident causes, risks that contribute to crashes, and helps investigators reconstruct accidents to help determine causes and liability. It is a tool to aid in improving trucking safety and reducing accidents.
Remedies for Truck Accident Victims
Even with safety measures in place, trucking accidents still occur. Depending on the circumstances surrounding a truck accident, remedies may be available for injured victims. A Tampa truck injury attorney can investigate the cause of a collision. If driver negligence is implicated, monetary damages can generally be recovered to pay for medical bills, loss of wages, pain and suffering. In some circumstances, punitive damages may be awarded, if the negligence was egregious. If you were injured in a trucking accident, speak to a personal injury lawyer to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Source: U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) Analysis Series: Using LTCCS Data for Statistical Analyses of Crash Risk, James Hedlund and Daniel Blower, Jan. 2006
Posted in Truck Accidents on Wednesday, February 8, 2012.