Crashes Caused by Trucks

1/25/2010
Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton
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Trucking Associations Praise Gov. McDonnell for Re-Opening Rest Areas

Two prominent trucking associations - the American Trucking Association (ATA) and Virginia Trucking Association (VTA) - praised Gov. Bob McDonnell's initiative to re-open all currently closed rest areas by April 15, according to prnewswire.com. 

Both groups cited the safety risks associated with a lack of rest stops, especially for commercial truckers who may need a break after driving for hours on end.

"Closing these rest areas last year potentially decreased highway safety for both the motoring public and truck drivers alike," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves.

Gov. McDonnell said, "The darkened rest stops ... left truckers and families without safe and secure areas at which they could get a break from the road, increasing the potential for accidents."

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports more than 750 people die and 20,000 more are injured every year due to fatigued commercial truck drivers. The risk of a wreck effectively doubles from the eighth to the tenth hour of driving, and doubles again from the tenth to the eleventh hour of driving, according to saferoads.org. 

In addition, the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration reports truck driver fatigue is a contributing factor in as many as 30 to 40 percent of all commercial truck wrecks.

These statistics would indicate that having better rested truckers on the roads could lead to a decrease in truck crashes. Will re-opening the rest areas ensure this result? No one really knows for sure, but hopefully having more rest areas open will produce positive results.

The next challenge will be to keep a steady stream of funding for the rest areas to remain open while still trying to shore up a $4 billion state budget gap. 

Labels: accident Attorney Cooper Crash fatigue injury rest areas truck trucker Wreck

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and have experience handling truck wreck cases. Check out our truck accident case results and our free consumer guide on what to do if you get involved in an accident with a commercial truck.

We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, VA, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia, including Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Newport News, VA, if you've been seriously hurt by someone else's carelessness.

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been named to the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009 and included among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Jim and Rick have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010. Fewer than 5 percent of practicing lawyers receive this honor.

In addition, our VA injury law firm was the first in the commonwealth to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms, and we have the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization. The rating indicates we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer a free initial confidential consultations. Call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a message so we can get back to you.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and have experience handling truck wreck cases. Check out our truck accident case results and our free consumer guide on what to do if you get involved in an accident with a commercial truck.

We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, VA, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia, including Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Newport News, VA, if you've been seriously hurt by someone else's carelessness.

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been named to the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009 and included among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Jim and Rick have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010. Fewer than 5 percent of practicing lawyers receive this honor.

In addition, our VA injury law firm was the first in the commonwealth to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms, and we have the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization. The rating indicates we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer a free initial confidential consultations. Call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a message so we can get back to you.

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