There are thousands of trucking accidents each year on our roads and highways. And far too many of those accidents take place in the San Jose Area. The average big-rig or commercial truck weighs approximately 70,000 pounds and is over 70 feet long.
When a big-rig is involved in a collision or traffic accident the incidence of fatalities for the occupants of the passenger vehicle increases dramatically.
As a San Jose injury attorney I have seen the devastation that trucking accidents can cause. I also understand trucking accident litigation from a unique perspective because in the past I represented trucking companies in catastrophic injury cases.
Some of the common causes of trucking accidents are as follows:
• Lack of proper training and experience of the truck driver.
• Overloaded trucks or big-rigs.
• Over-sized trucks.
• Poor maintenance.
• Visibility issues due to weather conditions.
• Driver fatigue.
• Speeding.
• Failure to yield the right of way.
• Aggressive driving behavior.
• The use of drugs and alcohol by truck drivers.
There are many changes in the practices of truck drivers and trucking companies that are needed in order to make our roads safer and prevent trucking accidents. For instance, currently Congress is reviewing legislation to prevent truck drivers from texting.
Recent research has indicated that trucking accidents are 23 times more likely when a driver is texting.
The New York Times recently published an article on the dangers of truck drivers being distracted while driving.
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