The average truck weighs about 20 times as much as a passenger sedan. When a person’s car is hit by a truck, they may face major damage to their vehicle and sustain serious injury. Wyoming has the 2nd highest rate of truck accident deaths in the country. There are several different factors that can contribute to a trucking accident, but there are some actions that cause a significant number of collisions.
Distracted Driving
One of the most common causes of accidents in the United States is driving while distracted by a cell phone. Random text messages, social media posts, and games can cause people to take their eyes off the road at a critical moment. Unfortunately, professional truck drivers are subject to distraction, just like any other driver. Unlike other drivers, the vehicles they are handling are very large and can cause a major catastrophe when they are involved in an accident.
Drugs and Alcohol
Some independent truck drivers are expected to work long hours and some of them stay awake by taking drugs. Loneliness is common on the road and alcoholism is a typical problem amongst truckers. 30 percent of drivers in a recent study admitted to taking drugs when they were working.
Exhaustion
Truck drivers who work long hours and do not take drugs may experience exhaustion when they work. A person who works for long stretches at a time may have slow reflexes and muscle responses. Their judgment may also be impaired and they may not be able to think very quickly when they are in a dangerous situation on the road.
Improperly Loaded Cargo
If the cargo on a truck is not distributed equally, it can cause the vehicle to be imbalanced. This can cause a truck to roll over. A rollover on the highway can be the catalyst for a multicar accident.
Improperly Trained Drivers
Truck operators in Wyoming are expected to possess a Commercial Driver’s License. Most trucking companies should have some kind of training for their operators. All makes and models of trucks handle differently from one another and it is important for a driver to understand the features and quirks of the Vehicle that they are manning.
Why There are So Many Truck Accidents in Wyoming
The economy of Wyoming recently went from being dominated by farming to mining. Mining requires a lot of trucks and large equipment. Wyoming has a very small population and things such as vegetables, clothing, and personal care products are not grown or mass-produced here. Citizens must rely upon trucks to bring in food and clothing, so there are plenty of 18 wheelers driving through the state.
Public transportation is scarce in Wyoming and most people have no choice but to use their cars everyday. Lots of cars and trucks on the road means an increased risk of accidents.
What to do if You are in an Accident
If you are in an accident with injuries, Wyoming law requires you to call 911 and wait for an officer to arrive. You should exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver and take pictures if you can. Be sure to get the names of witnesses and request a copy of the accident report.
Finding an Attorney
If you have been injured in an accident due to a truck operator’s negligence, the trucking company’s insurance is supposed to pay your accident-related bills. Insurance companies will often try to offer you less than your injuries are worth. A trained truck accident lawyer can help get you the money you deserve.
A truck accident can be devastating, but a good attorney and a fair settlement can soften the blow.
Authoritative Sources:
http://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/driver_license_records/commercial-license.html
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-drug-truckdrivers-idUSBRE99O0T520131025