Trucks and similar large commercial vehicles are statistically more likely than smaller vehicles to cause serious injury or death to victims when they are involved in collisions. This probably comes as no surprise. The larger a vehicle, the more damage it can do.
Various companies are working to address the problem of truck accident injuries and fatalities by introducing new technologies and tools which may serve to prevent truck accidents from occurring in the first place. Noteworthy examples of such innovations include:
Features that fall under the category of driver-assistance programs in a large commercial vehicle may include (but are not necessarily limited to) the following:
Organizations such as the United States Postal Service have been equipping their fleets with these features. If they prove helpful at guarding against accidents, ideally, other companies and organizations will follow their lead.
One of the top causes of truck accidents in our country is drowsy driving. Although there are laws prohibiting truckers from staying on the road for long periods of time without rest, truckers themselves often report ignoring these laws because they feel pressured to make deliveries according to strict schedules.
Biometric sensors may change this. These technologies can monitor a trucker for signs indicating they are becoming too tired to safely operate their vehicle. When these signs are identified, the sensors will tell a trucker it’s time to pull over and rest.
Artificial intelligence can quickly and easily analyze large amounts of data to identify accident trends. Thus, some companies are beginning to use AI to help truckers plan routes. Along with identifying which routes will allow truckers to optimize their efficiency, AI can also identify routes that are the safest.
Operating a large commercial vehicle is not as easy as driving a small car. Truckers need to train thoroughly to ensure they are prepared to navigate their routes.
Virtual and augmented reality tech can help in this capacity. Although real-world training is ideal, thanks to VR and AR, truckers can also train in simulations when training by driving an actual truck is not an option.
It is too early to determine with any degree of certainty the full extent to which these innovations will reduce the rate of injuries and fatalities resulting from truck accidents. Unfortunately, while there is reason to believe these technologies and developments will boost motorist and pedestrian safety, it’s highly unlikely they will completely eliminate the problem of truck accidents.
It’s possible you or a loved one may one day be injured in a collision with a truck one day. This can occur even if you’re a responsible and cautious individual.
If you’ve already been harmed in a truck accident resulting from another party’s negligence, be aware that you can likely recover financial compensation for your medical bills and related losses. Your odds of securing what you’re owed will typically be greater if you have proper legal representation.
Proper legal representation is exactly what our Philadelphia truck accident attorneys at Soloff & Zervanos, P.C. offers. To learn more about what we can do for you or your loved one, call us today at 215-929-7216 or contact us online.