On a minute-by-minute basis, Massachusetts motorists operate their vehicles in close proximity to semi-trucks. In theory, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. In reality though, these massive vehicles often pose a serious threat to other drivers, especially when they are driven negligently, are improperly maintained or their cargo is incorrectly secured. When these shortfalls lead to a truck accident, victims can be left with serious injuries, emotional pain and suffering and extensive financial damages. Sometimes families are even forced to cope with the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one.
To see just how common truck accidents are, one need only look at the statistics. For example, 2014 saw nearly 4,000 fatal accidents caused by large trucks and buses. Although this was a 5 percent decrease from 2013, the number is still way too high. Making matters worse, between 2009 and 2014, the U.S. saw a 55 percent increase in injurious accidents involving trucks. In 2014 alone, approximately 88,000 injurious accidents involved semi-trucks.
These are the most recent statistics available from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, but they present the scope of the problem. Thousands of individuals are injured or killed in these wrecks every year, and a significant number of these wrecks are wholly preventable. When this is the case, victims may want to consider their legal options.
A personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit following a truck accident may be sought against a trucker and the truck company for which the driver works. Succeeding on such a claim can bring much needed compensation, leaving a victim and his or her family on steadier financial footing. In addition to this, a winning lawsuit can serve as a reminder to the truck industry that there is a lot of work left to be done to ensure motorist safety. Hopefully this will lead to tougher restrictions and awareness within the industry and help prevent similar accidents from causing undeserved harm to others.
Source: FMCSA, “Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2014,” accessed on Nov. 18, 2016
