Fatal Truck Accidents Are A National Safety Concern : Tracy Morgan Accident Brings Truck Driver Safety Under National Spotlight

In the news this past weekend has been the fatal truck accident that occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike on Saturday morning. For those that have not yet heard, Kevin Roper, 35, a Wal-Mart truck driver from Jonesboro, NJ, caused a truck accident that took the life of writer James McNair, and left three others injured, including comedian Tracy Morgan, who was listed in critical condition with multiple broken bones. ABC News.

Mr. Roper had supposedly not slept for 24 hours before the accident. He has been charged with one count of vehicular manslaughter and three counts of recklessly causing bodily injury with a motor vehicle.

The dangers of truck accidents are no secret. The Federal Department of Transportation heavily regulates the trucking industry, including the hours that drivers can work. The U.S. DOT has even created the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to specifically address truck driver safety. The FMCSA employs over 1000 people. The State of Connecticut offers a Motor Carrier Handbook to assist drivers in learning the laws and operating safely.

However, according the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "large truck" accidents accounted for 3514 fatalities in 2012 alone. Of these, most were occupants of passenger vehicles, a staggering 2353 fatalities. The other fatalities were 591 occupants of the large trucks and 531 total of motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

A short drive down I-84 or I-95 will show exactly what a problem truck driver recklessness is.

The IIHS website states that the reason truck accidents are so devastating is the impact that is applied to smaller vehicles by a truck that is much larger, much higher off the ground, and weighs 20 to 30 times as much as the passenger vehicle. The IIHS also states that driver fatigue is one the leading causes of truck accidents.

Sometimes, truck accidents are caused by the choices and actions of the truck driver as an individual; they drink and drive, don't get enough sleep, etc. Other times, the truck drivers are the victims. Companies have been known to set unrealistic quotas for their truck drivers. Fearing for their jobs, the drivers do whatever it takes to satisfy their employer. 

Hopefully, the tragedy that has befallen the families of those killed and injured in this accident can serve a purpose in the public arena. Perhaps truck drivers will stand up for their rights and their safety when asked to drive overtime, business owners will only hire trucking companies who treat their drivers fairly (even if it costs more), and consumers will shop at companies that treat all their employees properly.




This article was written by Connecticut Attorney Eugene E. Glouzgal of The Law Office of Eugene Glouzgal, LLC located at 158 Greenwood Avenue in Bethel. For more information on truck accidents or Attorney Glouzgal, visit his website at www.CTAttorney.us.