Garbage Truck Crash Reminder of Risks of Commercial Drivers

A Tacoma truck driver found himself trapped in the cab of his garbage truck after losing control of his vehicle and striking a power pole. The lines were live and needed to be cut in order to remove the driver from his vehicle. Eventually, the driver was freed from the wreckage unscathed.

Unlike most accidents involving commercial drivers, no one was injured in this collision. That is the exception, however, and not the rule, as regular automobiles prove to be no match for the dimensions and weight of commercial vehicles. Unfortunately, car drivers and their passengers do not fare well in such accidents, sustaining severe injuries and death at higher rates.

Who is in the wrong?

For years, safety advocates have pushed for more oversight and tougher regulations for commercial drivers in Washington State. While the majority of commercial drivers operate their vehicles in a safe manner, the percentage that engages in high risk behavior, such as driving while intoxicated, distracted or drowsy, is responsible for a disproportionate number of injuries and fatalities in commercial driver accidents.

Consumer protection

One group that is at particularly high risk for injuries in accidents caused by commercial drivers is commuter bus passengers, many of whom spend large chunks of their weeks at the mercy of the drivers who spirit them to and from work each day. The spotlight has repeatedly been shone on the inexplicable lack of safety belts on most motor coaches. This is even more galling when one considers that close to half of all bus fatalities are caused by rollovers with over two thirds of those killed in rollover accidents ejected from the bus.

Those injured in commercial driver accidents need accident attorneys with expertise in the specific issues associated with bus, truck, and van collisions. Contact Mark A. Hammer & Associates if you need representation for injuries sustained in a commercial vehicle accident.