North Carolina’s busy roads and highways are filled with many different types of vehicles, including large trucks. Accidents involving a truck and a smaller car are likely to be much more serious, or even deadly, for the driver of the smaller vehicle.
One of the main reasons for this is the large size of truck. Most trucks weigh 20 to 30 times as much as passenger vehicles. Truck accident victims rarely escape with minor injuries, and the aftermath of a truck accident can dismantle a victim’s entire life for years to come. Medical bills, lost wages and extensive pain and suffering are just some of the consequences faced by truck accident victims.
Study shows benefits of front crash prevention systems
According to a recent study, the number of truck accidents could be reduced if trucks were equipped with front crash prevention systems. These systems include a forward collision warning and an automatic emergency braking system. The study showed that 2 out of 5 truck accidents could be prevented if trucks had these systems.
Front crash prevention systems use things like radar, cameras or other types of sensors to monitor the road in front of the truck. Forward collision warning tells the truck driver about any upcoming obstructions in the road, while an emergency braking system actually applies the brakes automatically in an attempt to prevent an accident.
Trucks are not required to use these systems
Unfortunately, current law does not require trucks or passenger vehicles to have these systems. However, some truck companies voluntarily have taken steps to equip their trucks with automatic emergency braking systems. Until these systems are a reality in trucks traveling on the nation’s highways, the risk of a truck accident remains high.
Life after a truck accident is tough. Along with healing and recovering from injuries, the financial struggles faced by victims are often overwhelming. Experienced personal injury attorneys can advise on the benefits of filing a claim for damages.