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Fatal accidents involving semi-trucks are on the rise

Most semi-truck drivers in Louisiana take care to handle their vehicles safely. Unfortunately, there will always be truckers who, in an effort to make as many deliveries as quickly as possible, will drive recklessly. This is a danger to everyone on the road, and it could have fatal consequences.

The federal government reports that in 2016, over 4,300 individuals lost their lives in crashes with semi-trucks and other large vehicles. This is a sobering 28 percent uptick from the number of individuals who lost their lives in truck accidents in 2009.

Many of these fatal truck accidents occur when a semi rear-ends another vehicle. However, these types of crashes could be avoided if the right mitigation and crash avoidance technology is used. Unfortunately, as of right now, federal regulations do not require the use of such technology. This is despite the fact that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has repeatedly asked the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to implement such regulations.

In the end, despite what federal regulations do or do not require, truckers are responsible for operating their vehicles in a safe and responsible manner. If they act negligently, for example, by driving while drowsy or intoxicated, speeding or failing to stop at traffic signals, they could cause a deadly accident.

When that happens, the victim’s survivors must deal not only with the devastating loss of a loved one, but also all the financial ramifications that come with that loss. They may be left with medical expenses and funeral expenses, and they may have to go on without the income and companionship their loved one provided. This puts them in a difficult emotional and financial state. Therefore, those who lose a loved one in a fatal accident caused by a negligent truck driver may want to determine if they can pursue a wrongful death lawsuit, in order to seek compensation for their losses.