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Proposal to reduce injuries and fatalities in truck accidents

by | Dec 27, 2017 | Car Accidents |

Last year, the U.S. lost more than 10 people per day and more than 80 per week in tractor-trailer crashes. The vast majority of them were drivers and passengers who were not in 18-wheelers. The goal of a bipartisan group of senators and congressional representatives is to reduce the numbers of injuries and fatalities in commercial vehicle accidents in 2018.

With that goal in mind, they recently introduced a proposal to require the installation of underride guards on the fronts and sides of all big rigs in the U.S. Currently, tractor-trailers are only required to have the life-saving devices on the backs of the vehicles.

 

Though none of the representatives pushing the proposal is from Texas, the Stop Underrides Act of 2017 would protect people here and across the nation from these often deadly crashes in which a passenger vehicle goes under the body of a large truck. People inside the cars often suffer catastrophic injuries. Many of those in underride crashes do not survive.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (New York), Sen. Marco Rubio (Florida), Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (California) and Rep. Steve Cohen (Tennessee) proposed the bill.

“Over 300 people are killed each year from truck underride collisions, and these collisions are often underreported,” said DeSaulnier. “It is time to act. No mother or father should see their child’s life cut short by an accident that could have been prevented with common sense safety improvements.”

Deborah A.P. Hersman, President and CEO of the National Safety Council said, “Motor vehicle crashes continue to be a leading cause of death in the U.S., and too many involve large trucks. Every single one of these deaths is preventable.”

We agree. And we know that a skilled personal injury attorney can help you hold those responsible for causing injuries and fatalities in motor vehicle accidents.