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Trucks Pose Threat to Increase Rates of Fatal Knoxville Car Accidents
A 76-year-old Kentucky County Commissioner died after his Fort Explorer collided with a Mack truck last week, reports the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Tennessee trucking accident pose a serious threat to motorists — more than 70 percent of those killed in trucking accidents are occupants of passenger vehicles. Most recently, safety advocates report issues with rear-end collisions involving tractor-trailers and faulty underride guards. Tennessee truck accident lawyers urge you to contact an experienced attorney if you or a loved one have been involved in a commercial-driving crash.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently tested the effectiveness of underride guards on tractor-trailers and discovered they are prone to buckle in low-speed crashes. These failing underride guards prove often fatal to passenger-vehicle motorists involved in rear-end tractor-trailer accidents.
The driver of the Mack truck was not injured, while the Tennessee County Commissioner died.
American Trucking Associations President Bill Grave said in a CBS interview that the trucking industry is aware of the faulty design. He adds that these standards were set nearly 50 years ago and may not be adequate for today, according to Transport Topics.
In 2009, there were more than 3,000 fatal accidents involving trucks and passenger vehicles. In 70 percent of those accidents the occupants of the passenger vehicles died.
America’s Road Team offers these safety tips to drivers sharing the roads with tractor-trailers:
-Do not tailgate. The current standards of the underride guards of many trucks could be causing fatal injuries in an accident.
-Be aware of blind spots. It’s important to remember with any driver that if you can’t see them, they can’t see you. Always be aware of your surroundings.
-Always pay attention. Being alert can help you avoid a potentially fatal accident. Looking away for mere seconds can double your chances of getting into an accident.
-Follow the speed limit. Your chance of getting into an accident nearly triples when driving faster than your surrounding traffic.
If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a trucking accident in Tennessee, contact Hartsoe Law Firm, P.C. for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights with our Knoxville injury lawyers and Maryville accident attorneys. Call (865) 804-1011.