The holidays are a special time of year. We get to take time off from our usual daily activities to spend more time with friends, loved ones, and family. However, as joyous as the holidays can be, they are also one of the most dangerous times for traffic accidents.
Though we may use the holidays to take time off of work, it does not mean that we are relaxing. Often, the holidays can involve more running around and traveling in our cars than usual with all of the people to visit, events to attend, and gift shopping to do. Data collected since the 1980s has shown that the holidays consistently bring an increase in motor vehicle accidents, particularly around Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Accidents involving semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles are especially common during this time of year with all of the extra products being ordered and delivered. Unfortunately, large truck accidents are often quite tragic and even fatal due to their size and weight in comparison to smaller passenger vehicles.
If you or a loved one are injured in a semi-truck accident this holiday season, working with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you get the compensation you need to recover in peace. When the holidays are already chaotic, the last thing you need is a challenging personal injury case on your hands. Let the team at McCoy and Sparks handle your case so you can focus on what really matters, getting better and spending time with your loved ones.
What Are Federal Truck Regulations?
Commercial truck drivers are required by law to follow a certain set of rules and regulations to ensure their safety and the safety of others on the road around them. These regulations imposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) were put into place to keep companies from overworking their drivers and to keep drivers from operating their trucks recklessly.
Some of these regulations include:
- Hours of driving limitations
- Cargo loading and securing protocols
- Keeping up with maintenance
- General rules of the road
- Driver conduct
Why Truck Accidents Increase During the Holidays Despite Regulations
Unfortunately, despite regulations, truck drivers are often under added pressure during the holidays to meet delivery demands and schedules. Additionally, increased traffic from other drivers on the roads and tensions running high with the stress of the holidays can also lead to an increase in truck-related accidents.
Some of the common reasons for truck accidents during the holidays include:
Driver Fatigue
Though Hours of Service (HOS) regulations are in place to keep this from happening, truck drivers tend to work longer hours and drive longer distances during the holidays. While drivers have a right to pull over and take a break or decline a shift if they are going over federal limitations, they often don’t speak up because they are under a lot of pressure or because they want to make more money. Either way, when drivers push themselves, they can become fatigued, impairing their driving and possibly even falling asleep at the wheel.
Cargo Issues
Truck trailers are often loaded to capacity during the holidays, with all of the extra products and materials being shipped. Unfortunately, if these heavy cargo shipments are not properly secured or if the trucks go over their weight limits, it can cause them to lose control and cause an accident.
Increased Traffic
There always tends to be an increase in accidents when there is more traffic on the road. Unfortunately, when that increase in traffic includes more heavy, oversized commercial trucks, it can lead to even more severe and tragic accidents.
Reckless Driving
Truck drivers and passenger vehicle drivers tend to drive more negligently during the holidays. Typically this is because everyone is often under added stress, and tensions can run high when you are stuck in holiday traffic. Additionally, with the increase in holiday parties, alcohol consumption goes up as well, which means there are more drunk drivers on the roads.
Winter Weather
Of course, poor road conditions from snow and ice also cause accidents. Large trucks already require longer stopping distances to come to a complete stop, but with added traffic and slippery roads, it makes it much harder for them to stop without running into other vehicles.
Trust McCoy & Sparks—Premier Personal Injury Attorneys in Central Kentucky
Both passenger vehicle drivers and truck drivers should take extra precautions when driving on the roads during the holidays, especially during rush hour and when weather conditions are bad. However, despite taking precautions, sometimes these accidents still occur. If you are injured in a truck accident this holiday season as a result of a negligent truck driver or trucking company, you have a right to file a personal injury claim to recover damages.
Recognized as one of Central Kentucky’s best law firms for over a decade, McCoy & Sparks works to help people in trouble, representing thousands of clients in Central Kentucky with a focus on providing premium service and delivering superior results.
Regardless of the type of case, our goal is to develop a strategy that best serves your personal needs, then draw upon our courtroom skills to help you reach the best possible result. We start by getting to know you. Next, we will explain all of your options, giving you the pros and cons of each choice so that you will be empowered to make informed decisions.
You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Make the right call to (844) 4KY-WINS for a risk-free consultation with one of our attorneys today.