Semi-truck collisions cause some of the worst injuries reported in motor vehicle collisions. Many times, crashes between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles result in fatalities. Even when someone survives a wreck, they may have lifelong consequences related to the injuries the collision causes.
Semi-truck collisions lead to amputations, brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. The people affected by these crashes may have hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses. Oftentimes, the underlying cause of a semi-truck crash is something that the commercial driver did or didn’t do. However, some collisions occur because of how the trucking company handles business operations.
What company practices could diminish the likelihood of semi-truck collisions?
Investment in maintenance and guards
Transportation companies often try to keep the cost of maintaining fleet vehicles as low as possible. In some cases, companies may cut corners on repairs or purchase cheaper underride guards even though they are less effective at protecting the people in smaller vehicles when crashes occur. Other times, transportation companies might delay making repairs or performing routine maintenance, such as replacing the tires on a trailer or cab. Delaying maintenance and cutting costs by choosing cheaper materials can affect vehicle performance and contribute to collisions.
Fighting against distraction
Federal rules prohibit semi-truck drivers from texting or otherwise manually using a mobile device while they drive. Still, many companies require that truck drivers respond to calls and text messages while on the road. Other times, companies send workers out with dispatching devices that can be just as distracting as personal mobile devices. Companies that have policies that actively reduce distractions instead of promoting them could reduce the chances of their drivers causing collisions.
Maintaining reasonable scheduling practices
All too often, transportation companies schedule drivers for incredibly long shifts with multiple stops. A truck driver may need to maintain optimal efficiency throughout a trip to make it to their destination on time without violating Hours of Service rules. Such practices may prioritize efficiency, but they leave drivers in difficult situations. They may need to speed or drive in an unsafe manner given road conditions to make it to their destination on time.
When there is a clear connection between the conduct of a transportation company and the underlying causes of a semi-truck crash, there may be grounds to take legal action. Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit could be a reasonable response after a preventable semi-truck crash puts someone in the hospital or causes a tragic death.
