Accident Prevention
Statistics
Resources and Links
At. Dr. Bradshaw's law office, we are concerned with
making our streets and highways safer. One major concern is the
number of deaths and injuries caused by semi-trucks. That is not to
say that all semi-truck drivers are dangerous or careless, but the
vehicles they are driving weigh several tons and can do serious
damage from a seemingly minor accident.
Accident
Prevention: Semi trucks are large and potentially
dangerous vehicles. Below is a list of safety tips to help you drive
safer around these big rigs:
- Don't pull out in front of a semi and expect it to slow down
for you. Due to the size and weight of these vehicles, they take
longer to speed up, slow down, or stop than a regular vehicle.
This also applies to passing a semi, make sure there are several
car lengths between you and the semi before pulling back in front
of him. If you cut too closely in front of him, the driver may not
be able to see you, especially if you are in a small car.
- Give yourself plenty of time and distance to pass a semi. Due
to their length it requires a lot more time and space to pass.
Before passing be sure you have plenty of time and distance.
- Don't tailgate. Because of the size of a semi, the driver can
not see you if you are following too closely. Give yourself and
the semi some space.
- Don't ride the blind spot. Most semi's have blind spots near
the rear of the vehicle and along the side of the trailer and cab.
Don't stay in these spots any longer than necessary as the driver
may not know you are there.
- Turning corners. Due to the length of the trailer, semi's need
to make wide turns, especially to the right. If you see a semi
getting ready to turn, be sure and give him plenty of space to
make the turn, often on narrow roads a semi will have to pull into
the left hand lane to make a right hand turn, if a semi has his
right turn signal on, don't pull up beside him on the right.
- Traffic signals. Just like many of us, truckers try to make it
through a light when it is yellow. Remember that due to their size
they take a lot longer to clear a light. If you are at an
intersection where there is a semi, be sure that he has stopped
before proceeding into the intersection. Sometimes due to their
momentum they are unable to stop.
Statistics: Below
are some statistics concerning semi-truck accidents. This
information was obtained from the Department of Transportation, the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety.
- In 1998, 127,000 people were injured and 5,374 people were
killed in traffic accidents involving large trucks.
- In 1998, 14 people were killed each day in accidents involving
large trucks.
- One out of eight traffic fatalities in 1998 resulted from a
collision involving a large truck.
- In 1999, 5,282 people died in large truck crashes.
- In 1999, large trucks accounted for 3% of the registered
vehicles in the United States, and they were involved in 23% of
passenger vehicle occupant deaths in multiple-vehicle crashes.
- Most large truck crash deaths occur during the day and on
weekdays.
- 78% (4,170) of those killed in large truck crashes in 1999
were occupants of the other (non-large truck) vehicle.
Resources and
Links:
National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration - provides statistics and
information concerning safety.
Missouri
Department of Transportation - provides information on Missouri
highways including current and future construction and repair plans
and detour routes.
Insurance Institute
for Highway Safety/Highway Loss Data Institute - features
vehicle ratings, safety facts, publications and more.
Department of
Transportation - Analysis and Information online - provides
statistics, facts, and much more relating to traffic accidents.
Disclaimer:
Information on this website and other web pages is of a general
nature only. The information is not specific to any particular case
and may not apply to your case. Statutes and other information
listed on this site may not be current as laws are constantly
changing. There are almost always exceptions to general principles
of the law. This site does not contain legal advice and should not
be used as such. This site is primarily designed so that you might
ask more educated and important questions when you contact a
qualified attorney. Retain a qualified attorney for legal
representation or legal advice as soon as possible. Almost all cases
require legal analysis by a qualified attorney. This website confirms to the ethical rules of Missouri which is the principle location of practice, where Dr. Bradshaw’s license is continually active and where all the permanent staffed offices are located. When working on cases outside the state of Missouri a co-counsel, often called local counsel, will be hired. This applies even to states in which Dr. Bradshaw is licensed to practice law. Dr. Bradshaw is not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Fees vary and range from 10% to 50% depending on the nature and complexity of the case, and litigation expenses (not fees) in Medical Malpractice cases often exceed $100,000 and have reached as high as $350,000. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Meetings with lawyers will be by appointment only. Past results afford no guarantee of future results and that every case is different and must be judged on its own merits. Working with and referring cases to other attorneys. Some photos and scenes may depict simulations. Client may be responsible for costs or expenses in some cases. The Research and
Resource links are also intended to allow members of the general
public to have access to medical and other information; the website
does not vouch for the accuracy or liability within these outside
hyperlink sites.
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Law Offices of Brad Bradshaw, MD, JD, LC
Springfield Office
1736 East Sunshine, Suite 600
Springfield, MO 65804
Phone 417-890-8888
Fax 417-889-9229
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