Use Extra Caution During The Most Dangerous Times For Truck Drivers
Michael Babboni
Trucking Accidents
Truck drivers have a job so important that they truly keep the United States running day after day. Because truck drivers drive such large vehicles and carry out such important work, they should be automatically respected by other drivers on the road, however this isn’t always the case. According to the American Trucking Association, it’s cars that are responsible for 80% of all trucking accidents.This is a low figure, as studies carried out by the University of Michigan Transportation Institute reported 81% and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 91% of all trucking incidents leading back to negligent car drivers.
While these numbers may differ between studies, one thing remains the same – the vast majority of trucking incidents are related to negligent motorists on American roadways.
The Most Dangerous Times For Truck Drivers
Truck drivers can help to protect themselves in the St. Petersburg area by taking a look at some trucking accident statistics. This isn’t to say an accident cannot happen outside of these times, but that it’s simple statistically more likely to happen within certain timeframes. Some of the most dangerous times for truck drivers in the St. Petersburg area are:
• Weekdays – While motorists experience the riskiest roadways on the weekends, truck drivers experience the opposite. Many truck drivers will take to the roads from Monday to Friday, along with motorists going to work, coming from work, and going about other daily business. For this reason, weekdays during the day are the most dangerous times for trucks on the road. A whopping 83% of fatal truck accidents occur from Monday to Friday.
• Between noon and 3pm – Truck drivers may think that nighttime driving is most dangerous, or driving during rush hour, but the most dangerous time for truck drivers on the road is actually between noon and 3pm. 65% of all fatal trucking accidents occur between 6am and 6pm, but there is a steep spike in this three-hour timeframe in particular.
• Nighttime is the safest time – Nighttime has been found to be the safest time on the road for truck drivers in and around St. Petersburg or anywhere throughout the United States. As a matter of fact, only 8% of all trucking accidents occur between the hours of midnight and 3am.
• Most trucking accidents occur on busy roadways with multiple vehicles – For trucking accidents, it’s rare that the accident occurs between 1 truck and 1 vehicle. More often trucking accidents occur on busy roadways and involve multiple vehicles stemming from one negligent driver.
What To Do If You’ve Been In A Trucking Accident
Whether you’re a truck driver, or a motorist who has been involved in an accident with a truck, it’s important to know your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Trucking accidents often result in fatalities and severe injury, and these losses may be recouped with the help of a skilled St. Petersburg trucking accident lawyer.
If you’ve been in a trucking accident in the St. Petersburg area, our professionals are here to help. Contact us at TheStPeteLawyer.com today to see what we can do for you and your case.