As a Maryland motorist, you may be used to sharing the road with tractor trailers on a daily basis. You may believe that the trucker driving next to your smaller vehicle is well-trained and qualified to be operating a massive vehicle. There are, however, a surprising amount of fatal large truck accidents that occur in the U.S. every year. In 2014, 3,744 people were killed in tractor-trailer collisions across the nation, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That year, there were 49 truck accident deaths in Maryland alone, making up just over 7 percent of all motor vehicle accident deaths in the state. Although this is a decrease from the 60 fatalities that occurred in 2013, truck accident deaths across the country are expected to increase over the next few years.
According to the American Trucking Association, the number of qualified truckers available to work is decreasing, while the amount of freight that needs to be distributed is rising at a steady rate. From 2013 to 2025, freight tonnage is expected to increase by 23.5 percent. In an attempt to work around this truck driver deficiency problem, some trucking companies are keeping their truckers out on the road for extended hours, despite federal regulations. Trucking companies may also put unqualified truckers on the road in an attempt to distribute more freight and keep up with tight deadlines.
Reckless, drowsy, distracted, intoxicated and otherwise negligent truckers may place you and other motorists in danger.
This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice.