Trucking Accidents Are a Public Safety Problem
In 2017, there were 150,000+ large truck collisions. On average, 1 in 2 caused an injury. Despite making up only 5% of vehicles, commercial vehicles are responsible for 11% of the nation’s traffic fatalities.
Truck accidents also caused catastrophic injuriessuch as the following:
How Do Large Truck Companies Affect Road Safety?
For decades, trucking companies have been working to maximize profits by cutting pay . One of the most effective ways they’ve cut pay is by introducing “pay-by-mile.” Pay-by-mile promises drivers that if they make themselves as efficient as possible, minimize sleep, and maximize time behind the wheel, they’ll be able to make a good living.
The reality is that long-haul drivers have plenty of non-driving work too:
- Submitting to rig inspections
- Taking federally-mandated rest times
- Planning routes
All of this takes time or skill (or both), and all of it is unavoidable; however, trucking companies pay drivers nothing for it. To make up for the unpaid work, drivers do everything they can to haul for as long and hard as possible. Many companies encourage new truckers to keep two logbooks to violate hours of service rules. Others encourage practices that violate safety regulations in the name of “making your miles.”
Despite all this, drivers still barely make a living.
Thousands of exhausted drivers get behind the wheel of 80,000-pound machines every day. Their fatigue is a cost that all of us pay—at least 1 in 8 trucking crashes are directly caused by fatigue, and tired drivers contribute to many more. More than 1 in 4 big rig fatalities occurred when the trucker was hauling for more than 17 hours.
Some of the Largest Trucking Companies in the United States
America relies on trucks to transport an overwhelming amount of goods. Of the more than 2 million people employed in the truck transportation industry, 1.5 million drive for a company. With these facts in mind, it’s easy to conclude that truck carriers can significantly impact the safety of American roads.
To learn more about some of the nation’s largest trucking companies, click the links below:
Averitt Express
Established in 1971, Averitt Express is a trucking company based in Cookeville, TN, with more than 4,500 different vehicles nationwide. They currently provide vital freight transportation and supply chain management services to more than 100 different countries. As reported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in June 2018, the company has been cited with more than 1,300 violations over the last two years—including maintenance issues, unsecured cargo, and the release of hazardous materials from a package. In the same period, their trucks were involved in 420 crashes that yielded 144 injuries and 12 fatalities.
Celadon Group
Celadon Group is a cluster of shipping companies under the Celadon brand. It utilizes 2,231 vehicles nationwide from a home base in Indianapolis, IN. As reported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in June 2018, Celadon Group trucks have been involved in 410 crashes, creating 192 injuries and killing 16 people—2 of whom were likely truckers themselves. From June 2016 to June 2018, they were cited with 3,302 safety violations. These violations included overly worn tire treads, excessive weight for tire rating, and more.
Con-Way Freight
Based in Ann Arbor, MI, Con-Way Freight is a less-than-truckload carrier that utilizes 8,906 vehicles in deliveries nationwide. Statistically, 1 in 8 of their trucks or drivers have been cited for safety violations. Citations have included inadequate maintenance, tires in a dangerous condition, low oil, and breaking the rules of transporting hazardous materials. The company also has a serious crash record—as reported by the FMCSA in 2018, Con-Way Freight has been in 634 trucking accidents that have injured 258 people and killed 24 others over the last 2 years.
New England Motor Freight Inc.
New England Motor Freight Inc. is a shipping company based in Elizabeth, New Jersey. It’s a relatively small operator with 1,424 vehicles. As reported by the FMCSA in June 2018, its fleet has been involved in 141 collisions over the last 2 years—nearly a tenth of its fleet, assuming the same truck wasn’t involved in multiple collisions. Those 141 New England Motor Freight truck accidents resulted in 4 fatalities and 58 injuries.
In the same period, the company earned 800+ safety violations, including:
- Speeding 15+ mph over the limit
- Speeding in a construction zone
- Driving a commercial vehicle while fatigued
- Driving a commercial vehicle while texting
Ryder Systems (Ryder Integrated Logistics)
Ryder Systems, also known as Ryder Integrated Logistics, is a shipping carrier and freight company based in Miami, Florida. According to FMCSA, the company operates 5,187 vehicles nationwide. Ryder Systems has been cited for 4,168 safety violations over the last 2 years, according to FMCSA data collected in August 2018.
Their violations include the following:
- Driving more than 15 mph over the speed limit
- Operating a commercial truck while dangerously fatigued
- Driving a commercial truck while texting
- Reckless driving
- Unsecured cargo
In the same period, Ryder was involved in 401 truck accidents, which caused 168 injuries and 13 fatalities.
Fight Unsafe Trucking Company Practices. Call Today!
When a trucking company allows carelessness to infiltrate operations, everyone on the road suffers. Truckers pay with their safety and finances, while other drivers pay through the catastrophic damage of an accident. If you’ve suffered because of an unsafe truck company, Arnold & Itkin is ready to fight for your recovery.
At Arnold & Itkin, our truck accident lawyers know what it takes to stand up against the largest truck companies in the nation. We’ve heard their excuses, and we refuse to let them use them to rob a client of the recovery they deserve. Because of our dedication to results, we’ve recovered billions. Our mission is to make roads safer and protect truckers and other motorists from paying the steepest prices for the profit of big truck companies.
Call Arnold & Itkin right now for a consultation at (888) 493-1629. Discussing your options with our truck accident lawyers is completely free.
