Tractor-Trailer Accidents

• Fog-related truck accident

  Staff Writer | December 18, 2006 9:03 PM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  The Demopolis Times reported an accident Saturday involving two semi-trucks in an accident at the junciton fo U.S. Highway 80 and Alabama Highway 69. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but one driver was injured. Thick fog in the area contributed to the accident, which happened at 4 a.m. Both trucks overturned, spilling their loads and causing the road to be partially closed until 10 a.m.

• Truck drivers with rap sheets linked to accidents

  Staff Writer | December 11, 2006 10:04 AM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  An Associated Press news story out of Dallas, Texas reports that as much as one quarter of big rig truck drivers involved in fatal truck accidents from 2000 to 2005 had past records of criminal activity. The report says that:The Dallas Morning News' analysis discovered that of 953 truckers faulted in fatal crashes during that time frame, at least one in four had been convicted of a criminal...

• Should deregulation be to blame for truck accidents?

  Staff Writer | December 08, 2006 9:34 PM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  An article from the New York Times News Service explores the trucking industry and the causes for so many tragic accidents on our nation's roadways. The article questions whether the government's deregulation of the trucking industry has contributed to an increase in accidents. Do President Bush and his adminstration really want to support big business at the expense of motorist safety, as the...

• Dangerous cycle of truck driving

  Staff Writer | December 07, 2006 9:19 PM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  An interesting article in the Baltimore Sun points out the dangers of long hours and difficult schedules for truck drivers and others on the roads. The article points to the increased demands of the growing global economy as a driving factor in the more grueling schedules truck drivers must keep. Our country's 350,000 independent truckers may feel it the most, since they're paid by the delivery...

• Police response to fatal accident questioned

  Staff Writer | November 29, 2006 12:31 PM | 0 CommentsMontgomery, AL

  The family of a truck accident victim who was not found for several days is looking for answers, a report from WTVM.com says. The victim's fiancee wants to know why it took so long for police to find the truck, and whether the police responded appropriately.According to the report, the victim left home on Friday, Nov. 17, and was never heard from again. Three days later, a truck driver on...

• Fatal accident lands truck driver in jail

  Staff Writer | November 17, 2006 12:33 PM | 0 CommentsMontgomery, AL

  Two trucks collided Tuesday morning just west of Dothan, Alabama, at the intersection of Highway 84 and Houston County Road 9. Tragically, a Florida man driving one of the trucks was killed in the crash. Though details are not provided in the report on WTVYnews4.com, State Troopers arrested the driver of the other truck for manslaughter. The trucking accident is yet another sad story about the...

• Child hit by truck prompts parade debate

  Staff Writer | November 03, 2006 9:45 AM | 0 CommentsMontgomery, AL

  A tragic accident emerged from the University of Alabama Homecoming parade last weekend when an 8-year-old girl was run over by an 18-wheeler truck while going after a piece of candy tossed from a float. The debate ensues over whether candy and other items should be thrown from parade floats, risking the lives of children and others who run to pick them up amidst moving vehicles.Law enforcement...

• Information on tractor-trailer underride accidents

  Staff Writer | October 26, 2006 12:52 PM | 0 CommentsMontgomery, AL

  This dangerous situation occurs when the front of a small automobile touches the rear or side of a tractor-trailer (semi or large truck). The great risk occurs when the passenger vehicle underrides the trailer, and the trailer bed intrudes into the occupant compartment above and behind the hood. Tractor-trailer underrides have been known to cause serious and deadly accidents. In tractor-trailers...

• Disturbing trucking accident statistics

  Staff Writer | October 26, 2006 12:33 PM | 1 CommentMobile, AL

  Tractor-trailers, otherwise known as semis or large trucks, are involved in nearly 500,000 traffic accidents each year. Of these, nearly 5,000 result in death, and many others in severe injuries. Another disturbing statistic is that one out of every eight motor vehicle accident fatalities involves a tractor-trailer collision. In most of these accidents, the truck drivers are unharmed, but...

• Problems in Texas affect citizens in other states

  Tom Methvin | October 20, 2006 4:13 PM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  It appears that the state of Texas has been doing a very poor job of regulating the trucking industry. As a result, trucks from Texas can create safety hazards when these trucks travel into other states. It should be noted that the trucking industry in the U.S. has grown at a rapid pace. That has also been the case in the Lone Star State. It appears that the trucking industry's growth has...