I’ve written several times about the need for side guards on large commercial trucks. Deadly under-ride accidents could easily be prevented with side guards. Commercial trucks often have a very high ground clearance. Maybe you’ve ridden next to a large truck on the roadway and noticed how easily your car could go underneath. That’s a huge danger for people in cars. In side under-ride accidents, car tops can be sheared. These accidents almost always result in horrible injuries or deaths. Several years ago, I helped a family who lost several members in a deadly Limestone County accident where the top of a car was sheared off. The scene was horrific. A few simple safety requirements could have prevented that tragedy.
The danger is not just limited to cars. On our roads and highways, motorcyclists are also at risk. In urban areas, both pedestrians and cyclists are an issue. Previous studies have noted numerous pedestrian and cyclist deaths where a victim went underneath the side of a large truck.
For many years, safety advocates have asked Congress to act. In Europe, side guards have long been a standard safety feature. Numerous research studies show that lives are saved by this simple equipment. Yet, Congress has failed to act. Although our Federal government has failed to take the safety issue seriously, many of our largest cities have adopted side guards on their municipal fleets.
For more information on this important safety issue, here are a couple of my prior articles:
My articles discuss safety studies, research concerning accidents, and past efforts to adopt a new safety standard. Hopefully, they provide some good information. I’ve also created a simple infographic on this issue. If you have questions about commercial truck safety or accidents, let me know.
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From its office in Huntsville, the Blackwell Law Firm handles personal injury claims across Alabama. Many of our cases involve car and truck crashes on Alabama roads and highways. Commercial truck accident claims are unique. They involve important safety issues and standards. Outside of our cases, we continue to advocate for safer roadways, safer workplaces and safer products. If you have questions about a personal injury matter, let us know. We are happy to answer your questions. All consultations with our lawyers are free and confidential.
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