Roadways throughout North Carolina and the rest of the nation are becoming safer. Each year, new technologies in vehicles lead to increased protections for drivers and passengers. However, concerns remain high regarding large semi-tractor trailers. This is because of the sheer size and mass of these vehicles. National Highway Safety Traffic Administration data shows that 4,761 people were killed in crashes that involved large trucks in 2017.
It’s important to note that the trucking industry is heavily regulated by the federal government. Regulations cover a myriad of subjects, such as driver training, truck safety inspections, hours on the road, loading of the vehicle and many other topics. However, it’s one matter to establish safety rules and another to follow them. Safety advocates claim that the truck drivers are the biggest factor in proactively avoiding big rig accidents.
As for other motorists, it’s difficult to avoid interacting with big rigs while on interstate highways. Trucks and passenger cars will inevitably encounter each other, and they must share the road. While many truckers may be fatigued or speeding to meet deadlines, passenger car drivers are at fault in causing many big rig accidents. The bottom line is that any driver who fails to drive reasonably under the circumstances may be liable for any injury that results from their negligence.
Truck accidents can be further complicated if there are multiple parties involved. An experienced personal injury lawyer could help a crash victim through the process of obtaining compensation for damages. The lawyer may explain how the truck company, truck owner and truck driver could all have competing interests.