Each year, hundreds of truck drivers and other occupants of motor vehicles die across the country on congested roadways and antiquated exits ramps. Crumbling interstate highways designed in the 1950’s is causing serious hazards to truck drivers and other motor vehicle occupants. One study concluded truck rollovers are responsible for more than half of the deaths to drivers and their occupants in 2012. Over 300 deaths and 3,000 injuries occur each year as a result of truck rollover accidents. Another study conducted by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention concluded motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of on the job deaths for workers in the US.
Many interstate accidents are the result of outdated highway engineering and the growing gridlock as an increasing trucking industry puts more strain on the country’s highways. Many exits on highways were made over 40 years ago and do not have the banking needed for the trucks of today. The weight of products hauled by trucks has vastly increased over the last few decades causing additional strain on outdated highways.
Rollover crashes vastly increases the risk of death to the vehicle’s occupants. One study completed by the University of Michigan concluded if you are involved in a roll over vehicle crash, you are 30 times more likely to die then if you were in a vehicle crash without a rollover. Many of the roll over crash deaths can also be attributed to lack of seat belt use and older vehicles without stability control technology.
If you or someone you know were affected by a motor vehicle crash, a roll over crash or a truck accident, please contact the Mass Injury Group. Attorney Smith has decades of legal experience in representing victims of motor vehicle crashes.