As you might imagine, any time a large commercial truck is involved in an accident there are likely to be serious injuries or fatalities, however when an 18-wheeler rolls over, the devastation can be truly tragic. In 2014, eleven percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths occurred in a large truck collision. Ninety-seven percent of vehicle occupants killed in a two-vehicle crash which involved a large truck and a passenger vehicle were occupants of the passenger vehicle. Trucking accidents take the lives of more than 5,000 people, each and every year in the United States however the majority of these accidents could be prevented. Rollovers happen quickly, leaving the truck driver and the drivers around him or her without sufficient time to react.

Perhaps you’ve recently heard a story on the news about a person who faithfully followed their GPS instructions only to find themselves in the middle of nowhere, stuck on a median after being told to make a U-turn, or even floating in a lake. You might have even chuckled to yourself about how ridiculous it seems for a person to let GPS instructions override their common sense. Unfortunately, there are many more GPS related car accidents that we hear about; your GPS can leave you stranded, involved in a serious accident and, in extreme cases, even dead.

Seven Effective Safety Features You Should Know About

Admittedly, when we are shopping for a new car, we are initially drawn to a shiny exterior, sleek design, or a great sound system. But, deep down, we all know there’s a lot more to it than showroom glitz and glam. Safety should always be at the forefront when making a decision about which vehicle to purchase, and we’re not just talking seat belts and anti-lock brakes these days.

Minor Impacts Can Lead to Major Injuries

Although it seems to be self-evident that greater injuries will occur when the speed and impact of a collision is greater, in truth this is not always the case. In many instances, even when the vehicle’s speed is relatively low and there is little to no damage to the vehicles, these minor impacts can lead to major injuries. In particular, neck injuries can occur during a minor bump-in, causing pain and problems for months or years to come. This phenomenon can be partially explained by the fact that in some vehicles the bumper to bumper chassis may have little to no crushing effect in a crash, yet the high G force could cause whiplash or other serious injuries to the driver and passengers. Unfortunately, the term “whiplash” has almost become synonymous with fraudulent, and this stigma can overshadow the very real consequences of whiplash injuries.

The Importance of Seats Belts

It has taken more than 50 years, but automakers and the Department of Transportation have succeeded in persuading 88.5% of American auto drivers to fasten their seat belts. While this statistic is certainly encouraging, it also reminds us that there are many drivers who do not buckle up! In fact, 25 million Americans routinely ignore safety reminders to wear their seat belts. This translates into numerous car accident injuries – and even fatalities every year.

In addition to the personal tragedy of losing a loved one, the importance of seat belts becomes clearer when you consider their effect on society at large.  The additional risk from unbelted drivers actually increases car insurance rates and healthcare costs for all Americans. It also causes automakers to redesign their cars, causing inflated car prices and often other unsafe features.