Big Rig Deaths on the Rise

It's unfortunate that the big rig crash death toll is slowly rising
over the years. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) estimates more than 750 people
die each year.

The death toll from big rig crashes isn't the only set of numbers
that people need to be more aware of when driving with the big boys on
the highways. More than 20,000 people are badly injured every year by
having a major dust up with commercial truck drivers. In situations
where car meets truck, it's the truck that will come out ahead in just
about every case.

What are the reasons for the rising accident rates? A large number
of 18-wheeler drivers are driving while dead tired. They have hundreds
of miles to drive and the salary for trucking isn't princely to begin
with, prompting many of them to drive more hours for more money.
Combine this dash for cash with tight delivery deadlines, and a recipe
for disaster is in the making.

Nodding off will cause a rig to drift into other lanes, and when the
driver is not totally alert, it may also cause improper down braking,
jack knifing and rollovers. Inattention and lack of sleep are two
partners that stalk the highways as the perpetual companions of
long-haul drivers. Rig drivers are also dying in many of the accidents
they caused. Death seems like a high price to pay for not paying
attention or not getting enough sleep, and the death of others as a
consequence is even worse.

Even though it is a legal requirement to keep logbooks on the number
of hours truckers' drive, they are not always accurate. In fact, some
truckers keep a double set of books showing the legal time limits and
another showing the actual hours behind the wheel. If the true logbook
is found after a crash, that in combination with an electronic on-board
recorder (if there is one present), will help reconstruct events prior
to a crash.

The difficult thing about 18-wheeler crashes is the various
overlapping laws and regulations - a total nightmare when trying to
file a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death suit. Make sure you
contact an attorney who has a track record in dealing with big rig
crashes, one who has the ability to get to the heart of the matter
quickly and obtain justice.

Bradley J. Hofland is with Las Vegas Divorce law firm, Hofland,
Beasley & Galliher. The law firm focuses on Las Vegas family
law, custody, and Las Vegas personal injury. To learn more about Las vegas divorce, las vegas personal injury, las vegas divorce lawyer, las vegas family law, las vegas family law attorneys, las vegas personal injury lawyer , visit Hoflandlaw.com.