Safety standards for cars and trucks are improving, but there are still hundreds of fatal accidents in New Jersey every year. More than 20% of these accidents involve trucks of different sizes. Any accident involving a big truck and a car can lead to very serious, often fatal, injuries for the car’s occupants. Each year in New Jersey, there are thousands of individuals who have been hurt or killed.
Truck accidents in New Jersey are on the rise after reaching a historic low in 2009. According to a report from the American Association for Justice, lax practices are forcing a growing number of unsafe trucks on the road which are often driven by overworked, underpaid and poorly trained drivers. Other factors that contribute to truck accidents are aggressive driving, inattentive driving, driver fatigue, substance abuse, overloaded trucks, truck defects, blind spots and defective or unsafe roadways. Often tractor trailer accidents occur because corners are cut and safety regulations are overlooked in the interest of meeting deadlines.
New Jersey has several statutes in place which regulate how trucks are supposed to operate within the state. Sometimes, the many rules set out in the New Jersey Department of Transportation guidelines may not have been followed correctly leading to an increased risk of collision.
Everyone has a responsibility to drive safely. Even the smallest mistakes can have huge consequences. Always be aware that large trucks maneuver differently from cars so be extra careful as you approach them. Remember that large vehicles require a much longer distance to stop than cars. According to a study from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, driver error is ten times more likely to be the cause of a trucking accident.
Our firm’s attorneys are experienced in litigating trucking accident cases. Do not hesitate to call me if you or a loved one has been involved in an accident and have questions that need to be answered.
