The trucking industry plays
a significant role in the U.S. economy. From delivering the food we consume to
the clothing we wear, trucks transport roughly 10 billion tons of freight every
year. However, trucking can also be considered a dangerous business that
results in collisions and life-threatening injuries. Despite all the
precautionary measures and safety regulations in place, trucking accidents can
still occur. Fortunately, with the continuous improvement in technology,
commercial trucks have become safer than before. Our Greensboro trucking accident attorneys are skilled at handling complicated truck
accident cases with ease.
Let’s take a quick look at
how technology has evolved to make trucking safe:
Adaptive cruise control: With these advanced cruise control
systems, a truck automatically reacts to the vehicle moving in front of it. This
technologically advanced feature also applies brakes naturally when it senses a
change in the speed of the traffic. So, when a truck driver fails to focus on
the road ahead, these systems kick in and offer excellent support to prevent
fatalities from occurring.
Cameras: Cameras are helping trucks to
become safer in more ways than one. These cameras are sensitive, which makes
them highly proficient at identifying hazards on the road. Thus, the
information gleaned by these cameras is critical for the overall safety of the
truck as well as the other vehicles on the road. Also, the presence of dashboard
cameras can alert the trucking company if their drivers are driving in an
unsafe manner.
Lane-marking technology: In the coming times, lane straying could
become a thing of the past if trucking companies integrate lane-marking
technology into their businesses. Such systems have cameras mounted on the
vehicles to ensure that the drivers stick to their lane while on the road.
Whenever the trucks move outside the path, drivers automatically get an alert
prompting them to stick to their side of the lane.
Autonomous driving: According to research, more than 90
percent of motor vehicle accidents occur due to driver error. Fortunately,
technological advances are taking over driving responsibilities from humans. Trucking
companies too are benefitting from such technology. Features such as automatic
braking, lane guidance, and other features ensure that a truck does not get
drifted to another lane.
Collision mitigation technology: According to the Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), heavy commercial trucks accounted for
about 4 percent of registered vehicles but caused 13 percent accidents. This
could be partly due to their immense size and weight. So, it’s in the interests
of both public safety and profitability of fleets to minimize trucking
collisions. Advanced collision systems are integrating sensors to monitor
crashes and prompt emergency actions to prevent them.
Electronic logging devices: As of December 2018, nearly all
U.S. interstate commercial trucking operations are required to integrate
electronic logging devices in their vehicles. ELDs record commercial hours of service of truck drivers
to make sure that they are operating the vehicles in accordance with the
guidelines provided by the FMCSA.
Irrespective of all the
technological advances, trucking accidents can still occur. Collisions
involving commercial vehicles are usually complicated and require legal
representation. In the aftermath of a trucking collision, only a skilled
attorney can determine the best course of action. Our Greensboro trucking accident attorneys have years of experience and
knowledge in handling complicated cases. The lawyers are, in fact, recognized and
recommended by both their peers and happy clients. Ranging from big-rig spills
to jackknifing, we’ve successfully represented a range of victims. Our
compassionate attorneys are here to help you get your life back on track.
For queries, call us
at 334-777-6226