Every 15 minutes, someone is killed in a truck accident. Learn how to keep yourself (and your passengers) safe while sharing the road with these 50,000-pound death machines.

1. PRESENTED BY:
Sharing The Road With 50,000-Pound Death Machines:
What Every Driver Should Know About Truck Accidents

2. Someone is killed in a
truck accident roughly
EVERY 15 MINUTES.*
*Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

3. When it comes to sheer size
and weight, semitrucks have
the upper hand

4. 5,000 lbs
Up to 80,000 lbs

5. What are the biggest
contributing factors?
Distractions
Drunk Driving
Driver Fatigue
Negligent loading
Mechanical issues

6. • Limits on how long truck drivers can
stay behind the wheel
• Mandatory rest breaks
• Drug testing requirements
• Stricter limits on blood alcohol levels
• Restrictions on weight and load
capacities
• Standards for mechanical
maintenance and upkeep
There are many
laws in place to
reduce the risk
of accidents,
including:

7. When an accident
occurs, who’s to blame?
The answer isn’t always
apparent. That’s why a thorough
investigation is so important.

8. Relevant evidence may include:
The truck driver’s logbooks
Dispatcher logs
Gas and rest stop receipts
Any traffic camera footage that may be available
The truck’s electronic data recorder or “black box”

9. For truck accident
survivors – or
surviving family
members – the
consequences can
last a lifetime.
• Medical Bills
• Lost Wages
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of financial support
• Punitive damages (in some situations)

10. How can you avoid becoming an accident victim?
• Put your cellphone away and eliminate other distractions
when you’re behind the wheel.
• Always drive at a safe speed, taking into account the road,
traffic and weather conditions.
• Give trucks plenty of space, and stay out of their blind
spots.
• Don’t take changes when it comes to drinking and driving.
If in doubt, don’t drive.
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