Sick Drivers Have Caused Deadly Truck Accidents

Every year, Washington truck accidents result in devastating injuries, mostly to occupants of other passenger vehicles on the roadway. A recent Associated Press investigative report shows that a number of tractor-trailer and bus drivers in the United States have suffered seizures, heart attacks or blackouts behind the wheel that led to deadly crashes on the nation’s roadways. The deeply disturbing fact that comes out of this report is that hundreds of thousands of truck drivers carry commercial licenses despite qualifying for full disability payments. These are physically sick or disabled individuals who should not be driving, let alone driving a commercial big rig or a bus loaded with passengers.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which monitors trucking companies, says it has not completed any of the eight recommendations in this area including one that sets minimum standards for officials to determine whether truckers are “medically safe.” Another prevents truckers from looking for a doctor who might overlook a serious health condition and give unhealthy truckers a clean bill of health.

There is no doubt in my mind that this is a serious public safety problem, which our government needs to fix right away. We’re not talking about small health problems. These are major health issues including heart problems, seizures and sleep disorders. A trucker suffering a medical condition while operating an 80,000-pound vehicle can have disastrous consequences – and it has. There is no question that we need trucking companies to deliver our everyday goods including the food we eat. However, it simply cannot and must not be done at the expense of public safety.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, please consult one of the experienced Seattle personal injury attorneys with The Bernard Law Group to find out how we can help. Our skilled lawyers will secure just compensation to help you cover medical bills, physical therapy costs, lost wages and other related damages. Call Kirk Bernard and his dedicated legal team today to schedule your free consultation.

Source:http://www.usatoday.com/news/topstories/2008-07-21-2282920414_x.htm