Arkansas Personal Injury Blog - Tractor-Trailer Accidents

Arkansas Big Truck Statistics

Sach Oliver — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:07:18 GMT

I wrote last week about why truck driver training is so important. In summary, I wrote that training is so important because 18-wheelers are just so different from the vehicles that you and I drive every day. In this entry, I just want to point out some statistics that I hope drive this point home. This data is very important because it is from Arkansas specifically.

I cringe every time I pass smashed up vehicles sitting on the side of the road. When I see that a big truck was involved, the worst thoughts enter my mind. A Camry or Focus is usually no match for a Freightliner or Peterbilt. Astoundingly, in Arkansas in 2008, 77 people died as a result of run-ins with large trucks. It is very surprising that more people did not die when you consider the 1,997 non-fatal big truck crashes that occurred in Arkansas in the same year. In these crashes, 879 people were lucky to get away with just injuries. I say “just” injuries, but that is for sure an understatement. It is not likely that all of these people walked away from these crashes. Rather, many will probably have to deal with permanent problems caused by these run-ins for the rest of their life. It is a sad thought that one day on the road can change the rest of a person’s life! While much less important than the people involved in these crashes, it is interesting to note that 1,291 vehicles had to be towed away from the scene of these crashes. Another chilling fact is that 25 large trucks displaying Hazmat Placards were involved in crashes in the Natural State in 2008

I believe these facts highlight the importance of proper driver training for 18-wheelers. Let these sink in, and be careful on the road!

“Arkansas 2008 Crash Facts” (Accessed February 17, 2010).

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Sach Oliver

Why Training 18-Wheeler Drivers is So Important

Sach Oliver — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:34:00 GMT

A career driving a truck has great appeal to many people. Truck drivers are a central part of the American economy and transport goods from coast-to-coast. However, this is not a job for the “Average Joe” driver. These massive trucks controlled by inexperienced drivers can be very dangerous weapons. This is why training 18-wheeler drivers is so important.

The average 18-wheeler is 70-80 feet long, weighing in at a massive 80,000 pounds.[1] That is 40 (FORTY) tons! In addition, the standard height of 18-wheelers is 13’ 6”. The time it takes to stop one of these massive rigs is estimated to be 40% greater than that of the average automobile.[2] One can see why in the hands of inexperienced drivers, these rigs can cause catastrophic damage.

I cannot think of a single person who would go under the knife of a “surgeon” who has not been to medical school. The same should hold true for truck drivers. We should only share the road with drivers who have training in the operation of 18-wheelers. The fact that these rigs are so different from the average automobile makes training imperative.

[1] “Facts About Trucks,” available at http://www.thetruckersreport.com/facts-about-trucks/. (Accessed February 11, 2010).

[2] Id.

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Sach Oliver

Gambling on the Road - 18 Wheelers

Sach Oliver — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:45:00 GMT

One in five chances in the lottery would not be so bad. Would you take the same chances on the road? Chances on what? A recent study (June 2009) conducted by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance shows that for every large truck on the road, one in five were unable to pass inspection, and thus had to be removed from service.[1]

Passing an inspection might not seem like a huge deal, until you consider the fact that over half of these violations were accounted for by defective brakes.[2] That is right -- big, heavy trucks with defective breaks. This is not really what one would consider a “winning hand.” The problem does not stop there. One-percent of truck drivers were also found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.[3]

How Does Arkansas Weigh Up?

Arkansas has a relatively low population when considered nationally, but astonishingly, comes in 9^th (ninth) on the list of states with the most companies in violation of safety requirements per 100,000 people, with 23 companies having violations in 2009.[4] Nationally, it is estimated that there are over 200,000 trucks operating with safety violations.[5] These safety violations do not stop with big trucks, with a significant number of these violations coming from buses, cargo tankers, and motor coaches.[6]

At What Cost?

It is disturbing to find out that so many trucks with safety violations are on the road. The question must be asked as to why this is the case. Those involved in the trucking business see very low profit margins, and violating safety standards allows these companies to maximize profits.[7] Illegally overloading trucks, exceeding speed limits and maximum driving hours, as well as failure to maintain tires and brakes are just a few of the ways that trucking companies cut costs.[8] There can be serious consequences however, for such conduct. “Fatalities per miles driven are 56% higher for trucks than for all motor vehicles combined.”[9] Sadly, in 2007, trucks accounted for 4,808 fatalities across the U.S. with 114 of those deaths in Arkansas.[10]

This just covers the surface of some disturbing findings about trucks across the nation. I would encourage you to read the whole report for yourself at www.justice.org/trucksafetyviolations. Awareness is an important factor in promoting trucking safety, and while the odds of running across a truck with safety violations will never be as low as those of winning the lottery, that should be our goal.

[1] “Warning! Safety Violations Ahead: Motor Carrier Companies Keep Unsafe Trucks on U.S. Roads,” pg. 5, available at: www.justice.org/trucksafetyviolations, (accessed September 3, 2009).

[2] Id.

[3] Id.

[4] Id. at 4.

[5] Id. at 3.

[6] Id.

[7] Id.

[8] Id.

[9] Id. at 2.

[10] Id.

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Sach Oliver

Truck Accidents; Are Truck Drivers The Cause

Frank Bailey — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:44:51 GMT

Truck drivers, involved in truck wrecks are ten times more likely to be the cause of the wreck than other factors, such as weather, road conditions, and vehicle performance according to a study released by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

The Large Truck Crash Causation Study was commissioned by FMCSA to review the causes of, and contributing factors to, commercial motor vehicle crashes. While previous data focused on specific crashes and/or individual causes of crashes, this study was the first nation-wide examination of all pre-crash factors. Comments to my previous blog that the drivers of cars are the main cause of these crashes seems to be unfounded.

"This study makes it clear that we need to spend more time addressing driver behavior, as well as making sure trucks and buses are fit for the road," FMCSA Administrator Annette M. Sandberg said. "The multitude of data now available will allow us to analyze specific areas of behavior and work with our industry and safety partners to develop an agenda on driver safety that will improve commercial motor vehicle driver performance."

FMCSA will conduct analysis to further examine driver factors such as use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, speeding, fatigue, inattention, distractions, work environment, and unfamiliarity with the road.

The study, conducted with the help of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, investigated a national sample of fatal and injury crashes between April 2001 and December 2003 at 24 sites in 17 states. Each crash involved at least one large truck and resulted in at least one fatality or injury. The total sample of 967 crashes included 1,127 large trucks, 959 non-truck motor vehicles, 251 fatalities, and 1,408 injuries. Action or inaction by the driver of either the truck or other vehicle was the critical reason for 88 percent of the crashes.

The data offer unprecedented detail about the events surrounding truck crashes that are not available anywhere else. The study is available to the public to encourage further analysis and increase the knowledge about large truck crash factors.

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Frank Bailey

Trucking Accidents and Safety Standards

Frank Bailey — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:02:26 GMT

We know that almost 5,000 people are killed each year in big truck wrecks. In this part of Arkansas we have even more big truck wrecks due to the growth of our area and the nature of local businesses. Because of their size, crashes involving commercial trucks are devastating to pedestrians and occupants of smaller vehicles.

The consumer protection group Public Citizen works for improved oversight of our nation's commercial truck fleet; more consistent enforcement of current laws governing truck safety; and general consumer protection from dangers. We have found that the larger carriers have a much safer track record than the small operators. In a recent case, we found the fifth axle had no brakes at all and the steering column was held on to the universal joint with a radiator hose clamp and a bunge cord!

Unfortunately, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the agency created by Congress to improve the safety of commercial motor vehicles has not kept up with the deadlines that were set by Congress for a host of of vital safety standards. Public Citizen and other safety advocates sued the government to enforce these standards, some of which are more than a decade late, and won.

Parents Against Tired Truckers (PATT) has a website filled with vital information. I urge everyone to support this group and make our highways safer.

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Frank Bailey

You Can Help Prevent Unsafe Trucking

Frank Bailey — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:14:03 GMT

website.

Public Citizen and Chair and Founder of Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways, recently issued the following statement in response to an event by the Agricultural Transprotation Efficiency Coalition.

There is overwhelming scientific evidence showing that overweight trucks are more difficult to control, take longer to stop, are more likely to rollover in crashes and pose a serious safety threat to passenger vehicle occupants. Consequently, it is no surprise that large, heavy trucks are disproportionately responsible for motor vehicle deaths. Although big trucks are only 3 percent of U.S. registered vehicles, they are responsible for 13 percent of annual motor vehicle crash fatalities. When a car has a crash with a big truck, 98 percent of the people who die are in the smaller passenger vehicle.

Not only are American families paying the ultimate price for being forced to share the roads with oversized and overweight trucks, but their safety is also threatened by traveling on over-stressed and seriously compromised roads and bridges. One 80,000 pound tractor-trailer truck does as much damage to roads and bridges as 9,600 cars. Our highways and bridges are already buckling under levels of demand unforeseen by engineers who designed them. Simply put, bigger, heavier trucks are incompatible with the roads and bridges they use. Numerous federal and private sector studies have conclusively and convincingly shown that longer, heavier trucks operate with lower safety margins on both Interstate and lower class roads. Furthermore, heavy trucks do not pay their fair share for highway and bridge deterioration, causing the American public to subsidize the trucking industry’s greed.

The American public is well aware of the innate dangers of oversized trucks and the destruction they cause to our roads, and they do not want them to be even bigger. A recent public opinion poll by Lake Research Partners found that 66 percent oppose changing laws to allow larger trucks carrying heavier loads. More than 80 percent believe that trucks pulling two or three trailers are not as safe as single-trailer trucks. The survey also found that the strong opposition to bigger trucks transcends political party, gender, age, and region.

I urge Congress to listen to the American public and reject this proposal by special interest trucking and shipping industries."

I know in Arkansas we have needless truck crashes every week. I urge each of you who read this to contact your Represantives and tell them to put a stop to unsafe trucking.

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Frank Bailey

R.H. Sheppard Company M100 Power Steering Gears and Trucking Accidents

Sach Oliver — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:54:29 GMT

This past week we were in Mountain Home, AR with trucking experts doing an inspection on an 18 Wheeler. The 18 Wheeler was at the center of attention that day because it crossed the center line and hit two vehicles causing one death and three serious injuries. One of the issues during the inspection was whether or not the pitman arm had broken off of the power steering box (gears) before or after the 18 wheeler rolled over on its side.

Jeff Neiderer from R.H. Sheppard Company, Inc. in Hanover, Pennsylvania flew down here for the inspections. Mr. Neiderer completely disassembled the power steering gear box and was able to determine the pitman arm broke after the 18 wheeler made impact and rolled on its side. Therefore, it was not a causing factor in the wreck.

While I was watching Mr. Neiderer I was quite amazed at the technology involved with the M100 Power Steering Gear Box. The M100 is designed for heavy duty line haul trucks and heavy bus applications with a front axle rating between 10,000 and 14,000 lbs.

The Specifications for the M100 are as follows: (the left column is in US Standard Units and the right column is metric units)

Front axle range*	10,000 - 14,000 lbs	4,545 - 6.363 kg
Output torque @rated pressure 90% efficiency	45,350 in/lbs	5,124 Nm
Rated pressure	2,350 psi	162 bar
Minimum pump flow @1.5 H.W.T.	3.0 gpm	11.3 lpm
Pump flow range single systems	3.0 - 4.5 gpm	11.3 - 17.0 lpm
Ratio	18.9:1
Gear travel	95 degrees
Maximum operating temperature	250 degrees F	121.1 degrees C
Output shaft diameter	2.00 in	50.8 mm
Approximate dry weight	75 lbs	34 kg
Pump flow range dual w/M80 slave	5.1 - 6.0 gpm	19.3 - 22.7 lpm
Pump flow range dual w/M90 slave	5.5 - 6.5 gpm	20.8 - 24.6 lpm
Output torque @2350 psi 90% efficiency dual w/M80 slave	73,440 in/lbs	8,297 Nm
Output torque @2350 psi 90% efficiency dual w/M90 slave	83,275 in/lbs	9,407 Nm

I am going to simplify this quite a bit and for a more detailed explanation, you should contact R. H. Sheppard, however inside the M100 there was a shaft. If the shaft has little indentations on it, then that meant the pitman arm broke after impact, however if the shaft was indentation free, then the pitman arm broke before impact. Well, he counted 16 dents. This was good news for our clients’ cases in litigation.

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Sach Oliver

Trucking Accidents and Driver Fatigue

Frank Bailey — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:07:34 GMT

When a truck driver gets tired the driver should stop driving. Driver fatigue is a major factor in tractor-trailer accidents. The U.S. Department of Transportation Safety limits the number of hours a driver may be at the wheel. These regulations are different for drivers carrying a load from drivers transporting passengers. The government makes these rules for our safety. The rules govern the maximum number of consecutive hours a driver may drive as well as the maximum consecutive hours a driver may be on duty. The DOT regulations also outline the requirements for record keeping in the driver’s log where he records his duty status for every 24 hour period.

A driver’s working conditions can be a factor contributing to driver fatigue. Drivers who are paid by the mile or by the load have a financial incentive to drive without sufficient periods of rest. The faster they complete load and the more miles they cover result in higher pay outs for the driver. Often the trucking company will encourage drivers to work longer hours to benefit the company’s bottom line. This sets the company up for punitive damages.

Over this holiday season it is especially important to keep a lookout for truckers who are fatigued. It is better to stay way back if you see a trucker swerving rather than trying to pass the truck. A few minutes later arrival could save your life.

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Frank Bailey

How To Win A Big Truck Accident

Frank Bailey — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:59:48 GMT

As diesel prices have risen it seems like we are seeing more and more big truck accidents on our highways. I know these high prices make it hard on independent truckers to make a living, but we cannot afford to sacrifice safety in these hard times.

In trucking cases every major trucking company has 24 hour response teams to respond to major accidents. This means that within 24 to 48 hours the trucking company will know what happened. A plaintiff’s attorney cannot wait to investigate the wreck and let the defense build the case. That is why it is so important for a person injured in a trucking accident to contact an attorney as quickly as possible.

There are literally over 1,000 regulatory requirements of federal motor carriers, but there are only 10 sections of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act that truly effect day to day operations from a safety standpoint.

A competent attorney who is familiar with these regulations can provide the firepower you need to win your case.

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Frank Bailey

New Devices Help Determine Truck Accident Causes

Frank Bailey — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:10:53 GMT

Trucking companies have the ability to know when drivers are speeding or going over the limit for time on the road. But, do these companies turn a blind eye to this information at the expense of the public? In a trucking wreck, this information is evidence for plaintiffs’ attorneys who know how to mine the information and use it to prove their client’s case.

On board computers track 175 characteristics such as speed, hard-braking and maintenance. This information allows plaintiffs’ attorneys to sue for negligent supervision, negligent maintenance and punitive damages if the facts are bad enough.

The main source of information is the truck’s “black box.” Some trucks are equipped with EO-BRs (electric on-board recorders) which monitor the number of driving hours, speed, and can indicate every time a driver goes over the allowed number of hours or drives over the speed limit.

Some trucking companies have replaced the old log books with devices that track a driver’s schedule and send the information back to the company. Other companies use video cameras and radar to warn of potential hazards such as a sleepy driver.

Hours-of-service violations are often the cause of wrecks due to driver fatigue. With the right evidence from these new devices these cases merit punitive damages.

Getting the information is not as easy as it may seem. It is critical to act quickly before the information is lost or erased.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has proposed a new regulation which would require carriers with a history of violations to install this new equipment. The American Trucking Association opposes mandatory installation. The Truck Safety Coalition thinks the proposed rule is too weak. You can make a difference by contacting the Truck Safety Coalition and letting your opinion be heard to help prevent future accidents.

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Frank Bailey