Item: Flaxman Law Group
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Author: Clara Barman

Could Simple Videos Reduce the Risks of Serious Trucking Collisions in Hollywood and Other Cities?

Published on: June 5, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) has released a report stating that in-vehicle video systems in trucks could help reduce instances of truck collisions. According to the report, the video systems, if used in heavy-duty and medium trucks could reduce injury rates by 36% percent and reduce fatal trucking accidents by 20% annually. The rate of crashes was found to drop 35% with the video systems installed.

According to the study’s author, Jeffrey Hickman, the video systems work by capturing driver behaviors inside trucks and focusing on correcting those behaviors. Most drivers, according to Hickman, have some habits or behaviors that are risky but there is usually no way to address or even know about these issues. With a video system, these behaviors can be uncovered and corrected before they cause collisions. According to Hickman, this is significant because a large number of truck accidents are caused by driver behaviors and errors.

Video systems for trucks, such as DriveCam, are already available. However, there are a number of questions and concerns about the systems. For example, the cost of the systems are a cause of concern for truck carriers. In addition, some drivers may feel that the systems infringe on privacy. In addition, equipping all current larger trucks with the cameras may be time-consuming – as would reviewing all the video data. There are currently no plans in place to mandate the use of video systems in trucks, despite studies suggesting that the systems could slash accident rates.

Would video systems help cut down on the number of trucking accidents in Hollywood and other American cities? The makers of the systems and some safety experts believe so. It certainly seems that the cameras could work on several levels:

•By making drivers more aware of questionable behaviors and would not engage in them
•By making truck carriers more aware of what drivers are doing behind the wheel and having a vested interest in changing that behavior
•By having another tool for screening and evaluating drivers so that safe drivers could be rewarded
•By allowing truck carriers to potentially notice and target a variety of dangerous behaviors – including distracted driving, DUI, and fatigued driving in Hollywood and other cities
Of course, in order for video systems to prevent traffic collisions in Hollywood and other cities, they would need to be installed in a larger number of vehicles, and that seems unlikely at the present time. It is possible that some carriers will install the video systems voluntarily in order to better train and monitor drivers. Despite concerns about costs, the video systems have the potential to save companies money by reducing the number of trucking accidents and by reducing the risks of expensive litigation. It remains to be seen, though, whether carriers will be interested in this investment.

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Preventing Waste Truck Accidents in Hollywood and Other Florida Cities

Published on: May 29, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Waste trucks or garbage trucks help keep city streets clean and help dispose of trash and debris from homes, businesses, and construction sites. Unfortunately, these types of trucks can also cause collisions and injuries. These types of trucks can cause pedestrian and back over injuries, for example, if pedestrians or children approach the rear of the vehicle. These types of trucks can also cause workplace injuries in Hollywood and other Florida cities if city workers or other workers get caught in compactors or other components of the truck.

There are many reasons why waste truck accidents in Hollywood and other Florida cities are so common:

•Waste trucks and garbage trucks tend to be very large vehicles, with multiple blind spots
•Waste trucks and garbage trucks make frequent stops and starts, increasing the likelihood of accidents and injuries
•Garbage trucks can become very heavy when they carry full loads, making them more difficult to control and possibly leading to injuries
•Waste trucks and garbage trucks may have compactors which can cause crushing injuries
•Dump trucks and garbage trucks often arrive at work sites and construction sites, where they may drive near other vehicles, forklifts, and pedestrians, increasing the likelihood of an accident
•Garbage trucks and dump trucks can drop debris on the road, causing secondary accidents
There are safety features on board waste trucks which are intended to reduce the likelihood of accidents. For example, most garbage trucks are driven by at least two workers, to ensure that one person can drive while another person takes care of gathering debris or other items that must be removed. Garbage trucks and waste trucks also have audible signals so that when they back up pedestrians and other motorists can be aware of their location.

Despite these safety features, however, dump truck accidents can and do occur. These can cause severe injuries in Florida in Hollywood, including spinal cord injuries, head injuries, crushing injuries, and other serious harm.

Garbage truck accidents can be prevented by:

•Teaching children to avoid approaching trucks
•Parking away from the street and on a driveway, especially on garbage day
•Teaching drivers of these trucks to use signals and to check blind spots when backing up
•Educating motorists and pedestrians to use extra caution around garbage trucks as they may make unexpected stops and starts
•Launching educational campaigns to warn drivers and pedestrians of the dangers of blind spots – if you cannot see a garbage truck driver in their mirrors, the truck driver cannot see you.

Unfortunately for people who are injured by waste trucks and garbage trucks, seeking compensation in these cases can be difficult. Although these large trucks can cause severe injuries, some survivors of these collisions find that their claims are undervalued by insurance companies. In addition, these trucks are sometimes owned by municipalities or large corporations that are protected from liability by laws or by powerful insurance companies and their attorneys. It can be intimidating for an individual to face these larger defendants in court. However, working with an experienced personal injury attorney in Hollywood or your community can help you increase the odds of getting justice and compensation in your case.

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Agency Weighs in on Safety for Semis, Aims to Reduce Truck Accidents

Published on: May 27, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Last year, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted a study into trucking accidents and has submitted recommendations based on that research to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recommendations are meant to specifically male tractor-trailers safer while also preventing accidents involving these vehicles.

Research conducted by the NTSB found a number of troubling facts, including the fact that in most pedestrian accidents involving tractor trailers moving away from a stoplight, truckers were not aware that they had caused a pedestrian accident until other drivers indicated the problem, The NTSB also found that up to 500 fatalities caused by underride accidents involve a broadside collision with the side of a trailer.

The NTSB submitted a number of recommendations based on their research, including:

•Recommending that tractor-trailers add guards along the sides of the trailers to prevent underride accidents
•Recommending that VIN numbers of trailers be included in accident reports
•Recommending that the NHTSA make blind-spot reduction solutions mandatory for tractor trailers
•Recommending that rear underride systems be improved
•Recommending that tractor-trailers with gross weight ratings of more than 26,000 pounds be equipped with visibility enhancement systems to reduce pedestrian accidents and collisions involving smaller vehicles
So far, the NHTSA has not made the requested changes and it could be some time before these changes are made. However, safety experts have been making these recommendations for some time. For example, experts have noted that underride accidents in Miami and other cities could be prevented with correct guards. They have also noted that more needs to be done to prevent pedestrian accidents in Miami as well as trucking collisions in Miami and other cities. It remains to be seen whether the recommendations will be adopted and whether they will have the desired effect of reducing trucking crashes. It is possible that further recommendations will be made in the future as well to improve tractor trailer safety.

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Construction Sites are the Scene of Many Trucking Accidents in Hollywood and other Cities

Published on: May 15, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Construction sites rely on heavy machinery, including trucks, in order to complete jobs. Unfortunately, the heavy equipment and especially the trucks on construction sites can easily lead to crashes and severe injuries. In fact, traffic accidents are a leading cause of construction site accidents and injury in Hollywood and other communities.

These types of accidents tend to affect not only workers, but they can also affect pedestrians who happen to be walking in the area, passenger cars trying to drive through construction sites, and anyone else who is in the area. Unfortunately, one of the things that makes construction sites so dangerous is the fact that many types of vehicles are combined with pedestrians or individual workers who need to walk around the site. The area surrounding a construction site can also include local traffic that needs to make its way through a construction site or even pedestrians who are trying to get around the construction site in order to get to their destinations. There is a lot of room for possible injuries in this type of situation.

Construction sites typically have several types of vehicles and trucks on site, including:

•Cranes
•Cement trucks
•Forklifts
•Passenger vehicles
•Dump trucks
•Commercial trucks carrying heavy equipment, supplies, or machinery
All of these trucks pose their own unique risks and dangers.

Many construction site accidents involving trucks are in fact preventable. There are many things that can be done to prevent trucking accidents on construction sites:

•Proper training of workers
•Proper signage and barriers for pedestrians and drivers in the area
•Proper supervision
•Correct use of signals on trucks
•Correct use of detours for local traffic
When construction companies are negligent in providing a safe workplace and site, work injuries in Hollywood and Florida can easily occur. Negligence on construction sites can also affect local traffic, leading to traffic collisions and pedestrian accidents.

Have you been injured when driving or walking through a construction site? If so, you will want to get answers about what has caused your injuries. Did the company involved take reasonable precautions to keep the area safe? Were the operators of trucks and other heavy equipment on the site careful and mindful of traffic and pedestrians in the area? If not and you have been injured as a result, you may have a legal claim that allows you to seek compensation for your financial losses.

If you have been injured on the job because of a construction site accident, you may be able to claim workers compensation benefits in Hollywood or your community. However, you may be concerned whether these benefits will cover your lost wages, medical bills, and other expenses. To get answers, you will want to consult with a personal injury attorney to get legal advice. In addition to workers compensation benefits, you may have other options for having your lost income, medical costs, and other expenses covered.

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Study to Examine Transponders and Truck Accidents

Published on: May 1, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute is continuing research into ways to prevent car and truck accidents. So far, the 18-month study has studied close to 3000 vehicles, including trucks, bicycles, cars, and motorcycles. Now, researchers will be studying more vehicles – up to 9000 cars and other vehicles – as well as pedestrians as part of the study.

The vehicles in the study are equipped with vehicle-to-vehicle transponder technology, which is designed to prevent collisions. The next part of the study will take about two years and will equip pedestrians as well as vehicles with the transmitters to examine how different vehicles are able to interpret data from the transponders in order to prevent crashes.

In the first phase of the study, researchers found that the transponders worked well, picking up signals from vehicles and traffic lights at larger distances than previously thought. So far, scientists think that fewer transmitters would be needed for the vehicle-to-vehicle technology to work, which could mean that the systems would be more affordable.

Researchers think that the vehicle-to-vehicle transponders could help prevent intersection accidents, rear-end collisions, and lane change accidents by taking human error out of the equation. The technology allows vehicles to “communicate” with each other so that imminent accidents can be avoided. So far, however, researchers in the study have not yet tested to see whether the technology would indeed lower car accident crashes.

The study will likely be used by the U.S. Department of Transportation to decide whether to make transponders mandatory on new vehicles. So far, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and some safety experts have stated that they support vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems because they do have the potential to stop car and truck accidents.

Some car manufacturers are already combining vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology and autonomous technology in cars in prototypes and new generation models. These cars anticipate the threat of a collision and then react “autonomously,” automatically applying brakes or using other maneuvers to prevent a crash.

Would vehicle-to-vehicle communication help prevent trucking accidents in Miami and other cities? Some people believe so. Studies have shown that many truck and car accidents in Miami and other cities are caused by driver error, distracted driving, drunk driving, and other similar issues. Theoretically, at least, vehicle-to-vehicle communication can help prevent some of these traffic crashes by alerting drivers to dangers that they do not spot. The technology has the potential to be especially effective when combined with autonomous driver technology. However, will the technology actually make an impact on traffic collision rates in Miami and other communities? That is harder to gauge, especially when considering that some cars on the road will not have the new systems.

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New Ideas for Driver Training To Curb Commercial Truck Accidents in Hollywood and Across the Country

Published on: March 11, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Members of Congress have recently begun talks about training regulations for commercial truck drivers in a bid to reduce the number of car and truck accidents on the roads. Of course, there are already many regulations and laws in place to prevent trucking collisions in Hollywood and other cities across the country, but despite these precautions serious traffic crashes involving trucks still continue to occur.

Experts believe that many broadside crashes, head-on collisions, and other types of traffic accidents involving commercial trucks often occur do to driver error. Studies have shown that drivers with less experience and training have higher accident risks when compared with more experienced motorists.

It seems to make sense that hiring more experienced and highly-trained drivers would therefore help reduce the number of truck and car crashes in Hollywood and other communities. However, according to the trucking industry, the current labor shortages could make that a challenge. Right now, there is a high demand for truck drivers and a shortage of experienced and qualified truck drivers in the industry. In some cases, motor carriers must hire new drivers with less training and real-world experience.

Another issue is fraud. According to some safety experts, the number of jobs in the industry has some job applicant falsifying their credentials or claiming to have passed qualified driving instructions when they have not. Of course, it is important for motor carriers to screen applicants to ensure that they have the correct qualifications. However, in some cases applicants do a very good job of hiding the fact that they don’t have the driver training needed for the job.

Another issue is job training itself. According to some safety experts, some truck drivers do not get enough instruction – from motor carriers and in driver training classes – about basic issues such as turning distance and proper braking techniques. This can lead to incorrect braking techniques in Hollywood and other issues which can lead to crashes.

The discussions among Members of Congress include the possibility of passing mandatory commercial truck driver training guidelines. These would ensure that all truck drivers who are licensed have been taught the basics.

Legislators have also discussed possibly using certain technology in commercial trucks to reduce the risk of accidents. For example, there are some devices that can sound a warning if a driver is drifting out of a lane. There have been efforts to make these devices mandatory on all 18-wheelers and big rigs, but so far the laws have not passed.

Some safety advocates have advised that using more technology in the classroom could also help. There are driving simulators that allow truck drivers to approximate the experience of driving in bad weather or heavy traffic, for example, and some experts feel that these simulators could help drivers get some driving experience that simulates real-world driving. Other safety experts believe that the key is continual learning and would like to see mandatory additional training for commercial drivers, so that these drivers continue to get some professional instruction and in-class education and training even after being licensed.

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How Can we Make Sure That The Future of the Trucking Industry in Florida is a Safe One?

Published on: February 20, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) expects that the trucking industry will grow rapidly in the next ten years. A recent report released by the organization predicts that by the end of the decade, the percentage of tonnage hauled by trucks will increase by 2.3%. This means that the trucking industry will be responsible for 70.8% of the tonnage hauled in the US. At the same time, freight revenues will increase 63.6% overall, up to $1.3 trillion. The train industry and transport by other methods is expected to decline or increase only modestly over the next decade, which is one reason why the industry is expected to grow so rapidly.

While the above is great news for those in the trucking industry, it does raise some questions for those who are concerned about truck collisions in Miami and across the country. As the trucking industry grows, what will happen to the rate of truck and car accidents in Miami and other cities? How can we make sure that the next decade is not only economically great, but also safe?

According to safety experts, a number of changes can be made to improve safety:

1) Control the growing volume of truckloads. According to the ATA report, truckload volumes will increase by 3.2% until 2018 and then will increase at a rate of 1.1% per year until 2024. Studies have shown that heavier, larger trucks may carrier a higher risk of rollovers, brake failure, tire blowouts, and other dangers. Overweight trucks also put an additional strain on roads and infrastructure, which can lead to potholes and other road hazards in Miami and other cities.

2) Improve working conditions for truck drivers. Good pay and good working conditions for drivers can encourage drivers to drive more carefully and can encourage good health among drivers, which can mean better safety on the road. Rewarding drivers for good safety records and paying for additional training can create more financial incentives for safety. Many truck accidents are still caused by human error, and selecting drivers carefully while ensuring that safe drivers are supported can help.

3) Hold negligent drivers and motor carriers liable for their actions. When motor carriers and drivers in Miami are negligent and cause serious accidents, they should be held fully accountable under the law so that they feel financial and legal pressure to adopt safer policies.

4) Use technology to reduce truck accidents. Safety technology – such as sensors in trucks, cameras in the cab, and other devices – can help prevent accidents. One of the most exciting developments in the recent years is the idea of the driverless truck, which could, in theory, help reduce and eventually virtually eliminate accidents caused by human error.

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How the Knights of the Highways Work to Reduce Trucking Collisions in Hollywood and Other Communities

Published on: February 13, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

In the past, commercial truck drivers were known as the “knights of the highway.” They were seen as hard-working people who took the time to help stranded drivers and worked to keep highways safe. Today, the image of the industry has changed. Thanks to a number of high-profile truck accidents and thanks to a changing image in the media, many people are concerned about the safety of large trucks. The number of serious and fatal trucking accidents in Hollywood does not help the image.

The reality is that many commercial truck drivers are in fact very concerned about road safety and do their best to prevent serious truck and car collisions in Hollywood and every city they drive. These employees face a high risk of on-the-job accidents in Hollywood and across the country because they spend hours on the road as well as hours working with and securing cargo. They also face the long-term health consequences of shift work and hours on the road.

While many drivers are careful to avoid traffic collisions, however, some truck drivers are undertrained, negligent, or dangerous behind the wheel. Most safety experts agree that truck drivers have a lower risk of at-fault accidents when compared with passenger car drivers, but some truck drivers do make the decision to drive fatigued, drunk, or distracted. When they do, they can cause devastating accidents that claim lives.

In addition to some negligent drivers, there are also some negligent motor carriers. Trucking companies are supposed to maintain their fleets and to carefully screen and train drivers. While many do that, a few negligent motor carriers care mostly about their bottom line and may not take the time to hire the most qualified drivers or make the effort to keep trucks in great shape, which can increase the risk of tire blowouts and other hazardous situations. Some motor carriers have policies which encourage risky driving. For example, some companies may encourage overloaded trucks or may financially reward drivers who are on the road for longer than is safe. Unfortunately, a few negligent companies create danger for everyone on the roads and contribute to traffic crashes.

What can be done about the dangers on the road? Safety experts agree that focusing on passenger car drivers is important. A number of studies, including a report released by the American Automobile Association Foundation for Traffic Safety, have found that passenger car drivers are the at-fault driver in up to 80% of car/truck collisions. Focusing on better training passenger car drivers is important.

However, getting unsafe truck drivers off the roads is also vital. Many people who have been seriously injured in a truck accident turn to personal injury attorneys in Hollywood or their community in order to get justice and compensation. Pursuing legal claims often pushes motor carriers and trucking companies to make safety changes to prevent further legal action.

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Driver Awareness Can Reduce the Number of Trucking Collisions in Homestead

Published on: February 6, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Each year, truck accidents in Homestead cause serious injuries and cost lives. Across the country, accidents involving commercial trucks cause devastation. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 3,373 people lost their lives across the country in 2011 due to accidents involving tractor-trailers. Many more people in Florida and across the U.S. suffer serious injuries such as fractures and head injuries as a result of these types of accidents.

Trucks are necessary for transporting goods and underpinning businesses across the state. When truck and car accidents in Homestead and other cities occur, motorists in passenger cars are most likely to be injured or killed in this type of accident. A passenger car simply has no chance against a much larger big rig.

For this reason and since many truck-car accidents are caused due to driver error, safety experts say that motorists can do a great deal to help prevent traffic crashes in Homestead and other cities. If you drive a passenger car, you can help by:

•Never cutting off a large truck. A tractor-trailer or semi traveling at 55 miles per hour takes the equivalent of two football fields to come to a complete stop. If you cut off a large truck, you are doing more than just being a rude driver – you are risking your life and the lives of your passengers. If you cut off a large truck and the truck driver has to slam on the brakes, you will likely be injured in a serious rear-end shunt accident in Homestead or your community.
•Stay safe around trucks making right turns. Semis will often pull into the left lane and swing wide when making a right turn. You need to give the truck added room to avoid being involved in a squeeze play accident. Never try to go around the truck – it could cost you your life.
•Don’t tailgate trucks. Trucks can drift backwards when they change gears. If you are following a truck uphill, especially, you could be involved in an accident if you don’t give the vehicle extra room.
•Make sure you can see the truck driver in his or her mirrors. Semis have blind spots in front of the truck, on the sides of the cab, and behind the vehicle. Keep sight of the driver in their mirrors and make eye contact to ensure that the driver can see you and is aware of your car.
•If you must pull over, pull over all the way to the shoulder. Large trucks take up a lot of room on highways and in lanes. If you are too close to a lane, a truck might brush into your vehicle. A drifting truck can also collide with your car.

Everyone has a responsibility for staying safe on the roads. Studies have shown that many car and truck accidents are caused by driver error in many cases, so taking care to drive safely could help you reduce your risk of a collision.

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Could Driverless Trucks Help Prevent Truck Accidents in Homestead and Across the Country?

Published on: January 16, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

On this blog, we’ve written about self-driving cars such as the Google car. In addition to autonomous vehicles, though, truck makers are also working on making autonomous commercial trucks, and some claim that these trucks could help prevent car and truck collisions in Homestead and other cities.

Companies such as Volvo Trucks and Scania have been working on technology that would build self-driving tractor trailers and big rigs while companies such as Scania, Caterpillar, and Komatsu have been working on designs for autonomous vehicles such as dumpsters and diggers. In 2012, Volvo Trucks launched a type of autonomous vehicle platooning demonstration on public roads. The platooning self-driving trucks still rely on a truck driver, but that truck driver controls not only his or her own vehicle but also uses a digital system to control the braking, speed, and steering of two or more self-driving trucks behind him or her. Now, a new project has been announced to develop the laws and technology needed to put these types of truck trains on roads. Some experts predict this type of truck platooning could be allowed in the UK within the decade.

If this type of technology ever comes to the US, will it have economic and safety implications? Will it help to reduce the number of truck and car accidents in Homestead and across the country?

So far, in the UK, truckers have already noted their concerns about the number of jobs that self-driving trucks could cost. Economic analysts, though, have stated that the move could slash transportation costs and boost economies dramatically.

The European Union has already allowed and even demanded some types of technology that take some control from driver’s hands. For example, the EU has made advanced emergency braking systems (AEBS) mandatory for all new trucks that will be on the roads in 2018. These brakes can act without driver input to avoid or prevent crashes.

Eventually, analysts say that the aim may be for fully autonomous commercial trucks, but the semi-driverless platooning trucks may become a reality very soon in Europe. Most experts agree that driverless commercial trucks will be on the roads before the widespread use of autonomous cars. Partly, this is because truck carriers may be more willing than car buyers to invest in the technology because of the huge financial gains it can bring.

Safety experts and truck manufacturers claim that driverless trucks can be much safer than traditional trucking since there is less reliance on human drivers, who are subject to driver error. Issues such as driver fatigue are not an issue with self-driving trucks.

Critics, however, note that platooning will still rely on human drivers and any errors that these drivers make could create truly catastrophic accidents as they will involve multiple large commercial trucks. In addition, critics note that the technology has to be completely reliable, since the risks with larger commercial trucks – especially those carrying dangerous goods or hazardous materials – are so high. Despite the concerns, however, many experts agree that driverless trucks and cars are the future and the question is when, rather than if, these vehicles will dominate the roads.

What about you – do you believe that autonomous trucks will eventually help prevent traffic crashes in Homestead?

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