Cherry Hill Truck Accident Lawyers: Truck Drivers Bear Responsibility for Crashes

Earlier this year, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) debuted a new public safety campaign intended to increase enforcement and safety awareness at railroad grade crossings. The necessity for the campaign was unfortunately illustrated just two weeks later in March when an Amtrak train crashed into a tractor-trailer straddling the tracks in Halifax, North Carolina. A total of 55 people aboard the train were injured; the driver of the truck was unharmed. The case is still under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB.)

The accident in Halifax is just one example of similar truck accidents involving trains that occur across the country and at a statistical rate of nearly one per day in a calendar year. The fault for these accidents is almost always attributed to a negligent truck driver. While the FRA and railroad companies work together to highlight grade-crossing safety by collaborating on public awareness campaigns,  technology improvements, and infrastructure upgrades; industry advocates suggest improved truck driver training will be a critical component to reducing these types of accidents.

Factors in Train and Truck Accidents

Some industry watchdogs highlight the fact that when it comes to railroad crossing grade scenarios involving a tractor trailer, the truck driver has much more flexibility than the train operator. The train will most likely be unable to stop, so the responsibility of making sure that a train is not coming is that of the truck driver. Some of the most common reasons cited for why truck drivers become involved in railroad grade crossing accidents are fatigue, poor decision making, distractions like talking on hands free mobile devices, and attempting to beat the train. Some truck drivers misjudge the length of their rig and believe they have the ability to fully clear a grade crossing when, in fact, they do not.

Commercial truck drivers are in high demand and some companies may be failing in certain aspects of their safety training for new hires as they rush to meet their human resource needs. Industry representatives have called for both stricter requirements for obtaining a commercial driver license and improved truck driver training programs in order to reduce truck accidents.

Cherry Hill Truck Accident Lawyers at DiTomaso Law Help Victims of Truck Accidents Recover Compensation

If you or a family member is the victim of a truck accident we can review your case and determine if you are entitled to recover damages and compensation for your injuries. Cherry Hill truck accident lawyers at DiTomaso Law are passionate advocates for victims of trucking accidents in New Jersey. Contact DiTomaso Law online or call 856-414-0010 to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced and affordable South Jersey personal injury lawyers.

We offer a lower contingency fee rate than many other truck accident lawyers in South Jersey. Our Cherry Hill, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania locations are easily accessible to personal injury victims in Camden County, Burlington County, Mount Holly, Cherry Hill and throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey.