Did you know that 17,902 light trucks and 3,215 large trucks were involved in fatal truck crashes in the United States in 2009 (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Fatality Analysis Reporting System)? In Arizona, the total number of light and large trucks involved in fatal crashes in 2009 was 395 light trucks and 67 large trucks.
Research has shown that only one percent of fatal truck accidents are DUI-related on the part of the truck driver. However, large trucks are more prone to be involved in fatal multi-vehicle crashes than passenger cars and about 27 percent of large truck drivers involved in a fatal truck accident had at least one previous speeding conviction.
However, a recent truck accident involving a 61-year old man was not because of speeding or DUI. The tragic Mesa truck accident happened when he left his landscape truck and trailer in park and running on the street while he walked up to unlock a side gate (ABC15 1/7/11). Unfortunately, the truck slipped out of park and into reverse. The truck pinned him under the front wheels and the man sadly died at the scene. Family members believed that a transmission problem was the cause of the accident, knowing that the victim was planning to get his truck fixed on that same day.
This is an all-too-tragic reminder of the importance of proper vehicle maintenance. Check engine light on? Are your brakes squeaking? Do your tires squeal? Please get these simple maintenance things taken care as soon as they arise to help prevent such freak fatal accidents from happening.
If you or a loved one is a victim of an trucking accident in Arizona, call the Mesa truck crash lawyers at The Breyer Law Offices now at 623-930-8064 for your initial consultation free of charge. If we agree to represent you, you don’t pay unless we recover funds for you.
