Bad Visibility and No Reflectors

One of major causes of truck accidents on the roads of America is due to poor visibility. It may be that the truck accident was caused by a truck driver's inability to see another vehicle or caused by the truck because it was not visible to other motorists. Part of highway safety includes the use of lights on passenger cars and lights and reflectors on tractor-trailers and other commercial trucks. Reflectors are particulary important on the backs and sides of large commercial trucks to increase visibility and prevent accidents under low light or no light situations. Reflectors on commercial trucks help other motorists see the truck from a distance. There is no excuse for commercial trucks to be out on the road without proper reflectors

In 1999, the federal government enacted a law requiring that all tractor-trailers use reflectors that outline the bottom edge of the trailer. The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) claimed that the change would prevent drivers from plowing into the side of the truck or driving under the truck. The FHA estimated that this change would save 100 lives and prevent 1,700 injuries over the next 10 years. In 2005 there were over 8 million large trucks registered with the US Dept of Transportation. Jump ahead to 2009 statistics that state, commercial trucks cause 5,000 deaths and 130,000 injuries annually on the roads of the United States. Generally speaking there are approximately 500,000 truck accidents each year. Only about 2% of the truck collision fatalities each year are truck drivers. The approximately other 98% are individuals in passenger vehicles, or non-occupants such as pedestrians or cyclists. It is a chilling statistic.

Causes

Accidents happen almost every minute of the day on the roads of the country with roughly 3 percent of these accidents involving commercial trucks. If commercial trucks do not have the proper reflectors installed, other motorists will not be able to properly see the truck ahead of them, next to them, or behind them. When the driver of a smaller vehicle cannot see the side of a truck, especially at night, and tries to change lanes this can be a recipe for disaster. The smaller vehicle might become lodged under the truck, causing serious damage to the car and injuries to passengers or the motorist that can be fatal.

Liability

The liability in truck accidents due to little visibility falls upon the truck driver and the trucking company. All trucks purchased by a trucking company should come equipped with reflectors. If they are not equipped with reflectors then thecompany is responsible for equipping the trucks with the necessary reflectorsfor visibility. If the company does not perform this task then the company willbe held liable. In addition, if the truck driver notices his or her truck doesnot have reflectors he or she should refuse to head out on the road until theproper safety precautions are taken. If not, the driver and the company can beheld liable.

Injuries and Compensation for truck Accidents Due to Little Visibility or No Reflectors

Victims from a collision trucking accident due to low visibility can suffer from all sorts of trauma from emotionalstress, to broken bones, burns, lacerations, fractures, severed limbs,concussions, comas and even death. The truck accident attorneys from the Gordon & Elias, L.L.P. will aggressively pursuecompensation from those responsible for their client's pain and suffering, loss of wages, repair costs, medical bills, hospital bills, punitive damages,as well as funeral costs, court fees, and legal fees.

Legal Help

If you or a loved one has been injured in a reflector and low visibility commercial truck accident, contact an attorney immediately seek expert legal advice regarding your case from the law offices of Gordon & Elias, L.L.P. Our attorneys and truck accident specialists will be able to perform an in depth investigation to obtain all of the evidence needed to prove that the truck driver and the trucking company were liable for the accident and the resulting injuries.