Efforts Increased to Keep Drivers Safe

Operation Safe Driver Week is set to take place from Oct. 16 through Oct. 22 and will involve law enforcement agencies in Mississippi and throughout North America. The goal is to educate drivers of both commercial trucks and passenger vehicles about unsafe driving behaviors and how to correct them. According to a study from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, driver behavior played a role in 88 percent of commercial truck accidents.

It was cited as a factor in 93 percent of all passenger vehicle crashes as well. In addition to efforts to educate drivers, there will also be increased enforcement on the roads. Behaviors that law enforcement will target include not wearing a seat belt, improper lane changes and speeding. They will also be on the lookout for failure to obey traffic control signals and driving while distracted.

Those who are injured in a crash with an unqualified truck driver or with a distracted passenger car driver may wish to talk to an attorney. If a driver is found to be not qualified to operate a large truck or was distracted, it could establish negligence on behalf of that driver. This means that an injured victim may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages and lost future earnings from the person who caused the crash.

If a commercial truck driver caused a crash while on the job, that driver’s employer may be liable as well. An attorney may be able to review the facts of the case to determine how many parties may be deemed financially liable for the crash. Compensation may be granted by a jury after a formal trial. However, legal counsel may be able to represent an individual during settlement negotiations that take place outside of the courtroom.