Commercial Vehicle Accidents - Statistics Point To Danger From Crashes With Commercial Vehicles

When a commercial truck drives down the road, it becomes an instant danger to everyone else on the freeway. The sheer size and force of a commercial truck make it more dangerous than the average car, and tired drivers and dangerous cargo can add fuel to these fundamental risks. Understanding the facts and statistics with respect to these crashes can help you be safer on the road and think strategically about seeking compensation after a devastating crash.

Key Statistics About Commercial Vehicle Crashes

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, over 5 million motor vehicle traffic crashes occur on U.S. roads every year. In 2011, 329,000 accidents involved large trucks and buses. That same year, 112,000 people suffered injuries, and 4,018 people died in crashes involving large trucks and buses.
Statistics show that the larger the vehicle, the more dangerous it is on the road, and the higher the risk that the crash will injure other drivers. For instance, in 2013, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Highway Loss Data Institute found that a total of 3,602 people died as a result of crashes involving large trucks. Only 16 percent of these fatalities involved the truck drivers themselves; occupants of passenger vehicles accounted for 67 percent of truck crash deaths, and pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists accounted for 15 percent of related fatalities.
The risk of a crash increases based on a number of factors, including:

• Size of the vehicle
• Weight of the vehicle
• Nature of the cargo
• Length of time the driver has been driving
• Distance driven

Putting a Price Tag on Commercial Truck Accidents

While the cost of a lost human life is difficult if not impossible to measure, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration released a report in April 2014 that found that the cost of severe injuries caused by vehicle crashes often easily exceeds $1 million. When an individual suffers injury to the point that he or she can no longer work, or when someone dies in a crash, the loss of income and other damages can add up to staggeringly high amounts.

Why Commercial Vehicle Accidents Are More Dangerous

Large truck crashes constitute just a small portion of the total number of vehicle crashes each year in the U.S., but they tend to be far more costly than the average motor vehicle accident and far more likely to lead to fatalities an serious injuries. Why is this? Many factors contribute to the problem:

• Commercial trucks carry cargo that can become tossed as projectiles or that may include hazardous materials.
• Commercial trucks can weigh around 80,000 pounds – this is twenty times more massive than a standard four-door car. 
• Truck drivers often work for hours on end, and many drivers fail to get adequate rest and nutrition.
• Some commercial drivers lack training to handle their vehicles; others get distracted by text messaging or cell phone use.
• Thanks to their heavier masses, commercial vehicles take longer to stop than passenger vehicles do.

If you have been injured in a crash involving a commercial vehicle, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries, time off of work, loss of consortium and other damages. Be sure to collect and preserve potential evidence to use in your case, including names, contact numbers and insurance information from all parties involved in the crash. Take pictures of the accident scene and any injuries, and save paperwork like police reports or emergency room documents. If you’re too sick or exhausted from the ordeal, deputize someone (like a fellow passenger) to get this information for you.

Steve Roberts is the managing attorney at the Law Office of Steve Roberts, LLC. Steve specializes in personal injury cases that stem from motor vehicle accidents. He has developed his personal injury practice and became part of the Colorado legal community as a member of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association and the Thompson G. Marsh Inn of Court.

Rochdale homes refurbished by Emanuel Whittaker

No win no fee solicitors Rochdale have welcomed news that houses across the borough are being refurbished by Emanuel Whittaker for Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) during Property Maintenance Week.

RochdaleOnline.co.uk reports that all RBH residents can receive assistance from Emanuel Whittaker to help them deal with any household maintenance projects they need.

Some of the work operatives have done has improved the health and safety of residents and reduced RBH's liability in personal injury claims, such as by using rock salt at Stephenson Square and on the Hollin Estate.

A home in Castleton's Holborn Street was rewired as part of a larger refurbishment, while a Roch Mills Crescent household saw the joists replaced in the kitchen ceiling. 

TfL downgrades junction improvement scheme

Transport for London (TfL) has reviewed its plan to renovate the most dangerous junctions in London and has instead said the programme will deal with just 33 locations, deemed 'high priority'. This is instead of the 100 junctions it had previously said it would deal with.

In the light of these comments, personal injury solicitors London have called for TfL to seriously engage with the need for road safety improvements in London, and to take prompt action to deal with the rising number of fatal cycling accidents in the city.

TfL's delivery schedule calls for 25 of these new 33 junctions to be delivered by 2015 to 2016, with the remaining 8 earmarked for 2020 to 2021. London Mayor Boris Johnson has also pledged to invest another £100 million on his junction review scheme, with this money to be spent by 2015 to 2016.

Last year, TfL pledged to complete improvements to ten of the region's junctions before the end of 2012, and by the end of 2013, it has pledged to update 50 junctions. 

Over 250 people waiting in ambulances for over 30 minutes last week in Greater Manchester

With long waiting times and overworked A&E departments linked with medical negligence claims, no win no fee solicitors Oldham are pleased with reports that the Royal Oldham HospitalAccident and Emergency department is managing to see a large number of patients within 15 minutes of their arrival.

Last week, 4,560 people attended Accident and Emergency in Pennine Acute Trust hospitals, which include Fairfield Hospital, North Manchester General Hospital and Royal Oldham Hospital, and of these, making it the busiest trust in England, but it managed to have just 29 queuing ambulances during the week from November 28^th to December 4^th, Department of Health figures show. Furthermore, 92.6% of all people in A&E were seen within four hours.

This is despite England seeing an average of 31 patients waiting in ambulances for at least half an hour per trust, with comparatively smaller Wythenshawe Hospital seeing 102 queuing ambulances. Across Greater Manchester, more than 250 people were left waiting in ambulances for at least half an hour.

Lancashire County Council calls for winter preparedness

With winter around the corner, personal injury solicitors Preston would advise all businesses, road users and residences in the area to prepare for the adverse weather conditions the UK is likely to see.

Lancashire County Council has stockpiled nearly 32,000 tonnes of salt andhas filled up 1,800 grit bins. It is working alongside the NHS, the fire service, the police and other local authorities to deliver public safety messages and prevent accidents or illnesses from occurring.

It has also updated its website with information about staying safe over winter, including details about the council's responsibilities and what it can do to help people, details about school closures, advice for clearing snow from property and guidance for equipping vehicles for winter driving.

Leaflets will be distributed to council receptions, petrol stations, garages and high-street shops informing the general public how they can prepare for the severe weather the county could see in the coming months.

Personal injury compensation claims no win no fee solicitors Preston are also preparing for winter and have staff ready to help people make a compensation claim if they are injured due to someone's negligence as a result of the cold weather.

Project protects Preston residents from flooding

Personal injury solicitors Preston thank the county council for their work in protecting the city from flooding, as severe floods affected swathes of the country.

Lancashire County Council is to repairdrains and pipes on Cliff Street, which is near Preston's city centre. They will replace four drains, installe two additional ones, and replace or repair blocked and damaged pipes.

The county council was designated a Led Local Flood Authority in 2007, following widespread floods.

Cliff Street and surrounding areas have historically experienced flooding problems, so this location was deemed as a key place for flood mitigation measures. There is a natural dip at the end of the street, and this can collect water in heavy rainfall. 

Lancashire County Council starts gritting for winter

With Lancashire County Council taking its army of gritters on the streets, personal injury solicitors Rochdale are asking people to take care when out and about on the roads and to look out for hazardous road conditions such as black ice.

Frost has already fallen across Rochdale and the next few days are predicted to bring additional adverse weather conditions, including sleet, ice, snow and rain. These raise the likelihood of black ice developing in certain areas.

Black ice forms when rain lands on frozen surfacessuch as frost or snow, and can create patches in the road with particularly low friction. This means that cars cannot steer or gain traction and can skid and crash.

The county council has a total of 49 gritters on its frontline, which it will use to treat 1,500 miles of priority roadway. Doing so takes around four hours, although adverse weather conditions can lengthen this time. No win no fee solicitors Rochdale warn that roads that have already been gritted can still be icy, especially on turns or underneath low-hanging branches. Drivers must take additional care when driving on all roads during icy weather conditions, even if the road surface has already been gritted.

Quietway routes 'should improve cyclist safety in London'

Personal injury solicitors London have welcomed moves to make the borough of Haringey safer for cyclists.

A network of 'Quietway' routes will bedeveloped for cyclists in the region. These will use direct, quiet back streets to provide high-quality, guided travel around Haringey, connecting central London and other major centres together. 

While these routes are still currently in development, with more details set to be announced in the immediate future, no win no fee solicitors London practice Solicitors are pleased with the news that bike riding in Haringey will soon be considerably safer.'

Mayor of London Boris Johnson aims for cycling to represent a 5% modal share of London's traffic by 2026, with trends indicating that this is target is set to be outstripped. In 2001, just 77,300 people in London reported that they commuted by cycling, but in 2011, this figure had more than doubled to reach 154,900.

Passengers evacuated after train sets alight in Wardle

Personal injury solicitors Rochdale have expressed concern over a fire on a train in the borough.

The Manchester to Leeds train caught alightnear to Wardle's Bell Field Mill Lane, with Chadderton, Heywood and Littleborough fire crews heading to the incident on November 21^st at 3.38pm.

All three carriages of the train needed to be evacuated, and approximately 150 people were on the train at the time of the incident. While there were no injuries, there was quite a significant amount of smoke.

No win no fee solicitors Rochdale are concerned as to what this means for the safety of the trains in the North West. The fire service said the blaze involved a diesel tack, which was located in the middle carriage underneath the floor of the train. This fire had risen up through the floor because of its intensity, and the diesel fumes created a lot of potentially damaging smoke.

Project protects Preston residents from flooding

Personal injury solicitors Preston thank the county council for their work in protecting the city from flooding, as severe floods affected swathes of the country.

Lancashire County Council is to repair drains and pipes on Cliff Street, which is near Preston's city centre. They will replace four drains, installe two additional ones, and replace or repair blocked and damaged pipes.

The county council was designated a Led Local Flood Authority in 2007, following widespread floods. 

Cliff Street and surrounding areas have historically experienced flooding problems, so this location was deemed as a key place for flood mitigation measures. There is a natural dip at the end of the street, and this can collect water in heavy rainfall. 

The new work the council will perform should help the water to drain away from this area safely.

Flooding can occur due to a wide range of factors, including rising groundwater levels, rivers and streams bursting, or sewerage and drainage systems being unable to cope with a rapid influx of water during a storm.

Oldham Council prosecutes rodent-infested restaurant owner

Personal injury solicitors Oldham have praised the good work of Oldham Council's Environmental Health officers in protecting the safety of the public.

The no win no fee solicitors Oldham at Clearwater Solicitors will collaborate with the local authority's Environmental Health team when dealing with personal injury claims relating to food poisoning, so they can gather evidence and give claimants the best possible chance of winning their cases.

On May 16^th, an investigation by the council's Environmental Health officers revealed that in the Taj Palace Restaurant on Kings Street in Oldham had an uncontrolled mouse infestation and poor cleaning standards. Despite the fact that problems had been brought to the attention of Mohammed Saleem, the restaurant's owner, there was no food safety management system in the establishment.

Lytham is 'Champion of Champions' in Britain in Bloom awards

Personal injuries Lytham St Anne's are delighted that the neighbouring town of Lytham has been crowned Britain's most beautiful, greenest and cleanest town by Britain in Bloom judges.

This means that according to the Royal Horticultural Society's awards, Lytham is the 'Champion of Champions' and the best place for people to visit in the UK - something no win no fee solicitors Lytham St Anne's are pleased to agree with.

To achieve this commendation, the town beat off stiff competition from towns such as Staghow, North Berwick, Hern and Halstead, representing the first time that a North Western town has won the Champion of Champions in the Britain in Bloom competition.

Dozens of people collaborated to beautify Lytham in the competition, and while the town now looks beautiful, Lytham St Anne's and the rest of the Fylde district also look amazing nowadays and seem to look better and better every year. The council, dozens of volunteers, community groups and individuals themselves have all played a role in helping Lytham secure this victory and in ensuring the rest of Fylde looks so pleasing.

Licensed premises staff 'should have fire safety training'

Personal injury solicitors Manchester are advising all nightclubs, bars and restaurants to train their supervisory staff - such as door supervisors - in fire safety.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) recently held a training session for Unique Security Solutions employees who worked at licensed premises in the Northern Quarter. The event, which took place on November 21st at Manchester Central fire Station, was also attended by members of the Licensing Team at Manchester City Council and Protection Officers from GMFRS. 

The no win no fee solicitors Manchester at Clearwater Solicitors suggest that any licensed premises that have not sent their staff to one of these courses should do so now. Doing so will help them fulfill the business' duty of care towards their patrons and minimise the likelihood of them becoming involved in personal injury claims.

GMFRS' course informed supervisors about how important it is to know where fire exits are located, why fire exit routes must be kept clear, why exits must be properly operable, general information about fire safety management, and legal requirements for emergency lighting and fire alarms.

Alcohol warning for teens in Lancashire

Alcohol is a dangerous drug that is all-too-regularly a factor in the compensation claims personal injury solicitors Preston handle. Recent research by Lancashire County Council's Trading Standards department has shown that young people in the district could be putting themselves at unnecessary risk by consuming excessive alcohol.

A poll involving 3,500 youngsters conducted by the council found that among people aged between 14 and 17, 45% said that they drink alcohol in order to get drunk. This is putting youngsters in the district in a lot of danger:

- 12% said they have been in a car that was driven by a drunk-driver

- 25% have had sex that they later regretted because they were drunk

- 38% said that drunkenness made them lose control of themselves

- 25% said they have been in a fight or are violent when they are drunk

However, no win no fee solicitors Preston are pleased to see that the number of under-18s who do not drink in the district is rising. Overall, 38% of 14 to 17s said they do not drink alcohol at all, compared with just 20% of respondents to the poll in 2011.

Personal injury solicitors Preston frequently hear complaints that young people nowadays drink too much and are binge-drinkers, but the statistics revealed by Lancashire County Council indicate this is not the case and that young people should not be negatively labeled in such a way.

Be Careful Travelling Home For Christmas, Personal Injury Solicitors London Warn

Personal injury solicitors London warn anyone driving home for Christmas to take care while on the road.

Research from Ocean Finance found that while 47% of people live within just 20 miles of where they originally grew up, nearly one-third (31%) of British adults are more than 100 miles away from the place they grew up.

This means that around 15.5 million people will have to go more than 100 miles away if they wish to spend Christmas in their childhood residence. No win no fee solicitors London note the problem is particular significant in London and the South East, with 35% of people living 100 miles away from their parents. The proportion in Scotland was also 35%, and these locations were only beaten by the East of England, at 36%.

People who are over 65 were also found to be more likely to live far away from their childhood home, with 36% living at least 100 miles away. The study showed that 31% of 18 to 24-year-olds live in just a five-mile radius of their parent's house, but this is just 19% among those aged 55 to 64 and 15% among people older than 65.

However, these people may not have to travel through the icy and snowy roads for Christmas, as Ocean Finance pointed out there is a chance that instead, their relatives could be making the journey to the older generations' homes instead.

People move across the country for a huge range of reasons, including a desire for independence, for work, for relationships, or just to experience new regions and new ways of life. In fact, 8% of people polled said they would have to travel for more than 500 miles or go overseas if they wanted to go back to their childhood residence.

While not everyone will be driving home for Christmas, personal injury solicitors London ask those that are to take regular breaks and drive at a speed appropriate to the road condition. They should also perform basic winter safety checks, such as by checking the tyre pressure and antifreeze levels. If possible, they should look at alternative transportation options - they may find a journey on the train or on a coach is actually far more enjoyable for everyone!

Flood warning for Blackburn residents

Personal injury solicitors Blackburn are underlining the local authority's warnings about the dangers of driving through flood water.

Following the results of a survey by the Environmental Agency and the AA, which found that 680,000 motorists in the UK would disregard a 'road closed' warning to carry on travelling down a flooded road instead of taking a detour, Clearwater Solicitors' no win no fee solicitors Blackburn are asking people who drive through flood-prone area to think ahead, rather than put their own personal safety at risk.

The research also showed that people between the ages of 55 and 64 are the most likely to choose to drive through deep water with noticeable currents. This is despite the fact that people can lose their lives by driving through such dangerous water, with a huge number of personal injury claims relating to this risky behaviour.

Choosing personal safety over speed could be the difference between life and death, personal injury solicitors Blackburn are warning, as the UK braces itself against the potential consequences of a devastatingly catastrophic winter of high snowfalls, low temperatures and strong winds.

Eliminate drink-driving by 'None for the Road'

The drink and drug driving campaign for Manchester this year is 'None for the Road', and personal injury solicitors Manchester ask people to heed its message.

Stockport Road Safety Unit, Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and Salford Council Road Safety Team are collaborating for the campaign. There will be events at MediaCity, including a driving and motor vehicle accident car crash simulator.

Alcohol was a factor in 336 road accidents in Greater Manchester over 2012. A total of 265 of people suffered minor personal injuries in these collisions, but 66 caused serious injuries and five people lost their lives.

Although it is permissible for people to drive after consuming a small amount of alcohol, the message of the campaign is that the only safe amount for drivers to drink is absolutely nothing.

But no win no fee solicitors Manchester are reminding people that the dangers of drink driving do not simply relate to the risks of road traffic accidents - offenders could find their license revoked or could even go to jail if they are found to be driving over the limit. Last year, GMP's festive operation to test motorists for drug and alcohol intoxication saw 11,230 drivers breathalysed, with 464 of these either refusing to take the test or testing positive.

Be flood-safe in Lytham St Annes, personal injury solicitors say

With gale-force winds hitting the UK and with many areas likely to see localised flooding in the next few days, especially coastal areas, personal injury solicitors Lytham St Annes advise people to take precautions to reduce the likelihood of injuries or property damage.

Clearwater Solicitors, a team of no win no fee solicitors Lytham St Annes, provide the following advice to homeowners and businesses in flood-prone areas:

-          Move electrical items and valuable items out of harm's way. This might be in a friend's house, in a storage unit, or simply upstairs.

-          Buy sandbags. Sandbags and floor boards can be used to block doorways and keep flood water out of your property.

-          Check that water can escape through outside drains. Unblock any blocked drains and clear guttering of any debris.

-          If your business is prone to flooding, consider flooding in risk assessments and take steps to minimise the potential damage floodwater and slippery flooring could cause to your employees and other people who may be affected by your business.

Preston Biker Jailed For Horror Crash

A horrific crash in Preston has underlined the dangers of reckless driving.

Martin Winstanley, of Chorley's Kingsley Drive, was jailed for two years in a hearing at Preston Crown Court after being found guilty of dangerous driving and possession of cocaine, the Lancashire Evening Post reports.

Winstanley lost his leg in a motorcycle accident on April 20^th, as he rode his Suzuki GSR600 motorcycle on Chorley Lane. He lost control when overtaking a Volkswagen Golf and ran into a BT cable box.

He then collided with Anne Grand, who was putting her bin out at the time. Ms Grand, 59, was seriously injured in the collision and needed to spend several weeks in hospital.

Personal injury solicitors Preston note that motorcyclists in particular need to take exceptional care when on the road. While Winstanley required an above-knee leg amputation as a result of the road traffic accident, he was fortunate to have not lost his life.

Motorcyclist Dies In Bury Road Traffic Accident

Following the tragic death of Gary Bell, personal injury solicitors Bury would like to remind drivers and motorcyclists to look out for each other.

Motorcyclist Mr Bell, 23, was in a road traffic accident on Friday November 1^st at around 10:30, and he died of his injuries the next day in Salford Royal Hospital.

It is believed that he was riding his white Yamaha motorbike on Bond Street when the accident happened. He overtook a vehicle and collided with a Toyota at the Bond Street / Walsh Lane junction, sustaining serious chest and head injuries. Police are appealing for information.

No win no fee solicitors Bury know that the risk of motorcyclist accidents will increase over winter, and would like to provide the following advice.

Motorcyclists:

-          Wear bright clothing

-          Ride defensively

-          Maximise visibility

-          Wear protective equipment, including the right helmet

-          Stay observant and alert

-          Glance over your shoulder before performing any manoeuvres

-          Ensure you can slow down or stop if you have to

Drivers:

-          Look out for bikes

-          Take time to check for motorcyclists at junctions or when merging

-          Don't drive too close to motorcyclists

-          Keep aware of motorcyclists when turning into new roads

-          Remember motorcyclists can pass on either side

-          Park in a safe and considerate fashion and check for motorcyclists when opening your doors