The Cause of Rising Truck Accident Rates Nationwide
Trucking companies are burning through new drivers because industry practices have gotten harsher over the years. Not stricter—technically, companies aren't forcing drivers to work longer hours, get less sleep, and put themselves at serious risk. What trucking companies like CR England are doing is creating an industry where drivers overwork themselves to the benefit of their employers.
How are they doing that? By promising higher wages through pay-by-mile. Trucking companies promise drivers that they'll be able to make a good living if they're able to haul efficiently, drive fast, and stay alert for longer hours. Unfortunately, most drivers are literally paid a few cents per mile—on average between 25 and 40 cents. Meanwhile, all of the vital non-driving work they do goes unpaid. As a result, companies pass the risk and costs of driving onto the driver.
- Driving to pick up new loads
- Planning routes
- Taking federally-mandated rest breaks
- Waiting for loading
- Waiting for unloading
- Submitting to rig inspections
How does that create more dangerous roads for everyone else? Because eventually, truckers realize that most days leave them owing more money than they made—so the company encourages them to drive for longer hours, to keep two logbooks to fool inspectors, and to drive with less and less sleep. As a result, thousands of drivers put themselves on the road lacking the alertness they need to prevent deadly accidents.
Tired Drivers Are Deadly Drivers
Data from the FMCSA shows that 1 in 4 crashes occurred when drivers were hauling for 17 hours or longer—and many long-haul truckers secretly drive for far longer than that. As many as 1 in 7 crashes are directly caused by fatigue, and sleep researchers believe that even moderate tiredness can impair our driving as much as having a drink does. The culture of "hard-driving" is creating a hazardous environment for us all—a hazardous environment that's leaving tens of thousands of people a year with serious, life-altering injuries.
Review Your Options with a CR England Truck Accident Attorney
Our trucking accident lawyers have helped our clients win billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. Their awards went toward rebuilding their lives after a serious accident—getting them out of debt, equipping them with the best medical care, and helping them replace their income and provide for their loved ones. In short, we helped our clients get their futures back after a truck accident took it away from them.
The most important work we do is helping people get back on their feet. Our CR England truck accident lawyers have fought for victims and survivors to get a second chance—to help them wake up with hope again. Ultimately, trucking companies will do everything in their power to pay you nothing. Our job is to make sure they take responsibility for what they did, whether or not they want to. With our resources and experience, we may be able to help you force them to do the right thing.
Get your legal options in a free meeting with a truck accident attorney—call (888) 493-1629 or use our online form today.
