The trucking industry is a major economic force in San Bernardino and the Inland Empire region of Southern California. The area’s extensive highway system connecting it to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach as well as the rest of the country makes it a critical hub for the movement of imported and exported goods.
However, the ubiquity of large trucks on San Bernardino roads also poses serious traffic safety risks. Truck accidents can be devastating, leading to catastrophic injuries and death. Understanding the causes and advocating for safer roads and trucking practices are imperative for the region.
The Scale and Scope of Trucking in San Bernardino
San Bernardino County is home to over 2,000 trucking companies, ranging from major national carriers to small independent owner-operators. The trucking industry employs over 28,000 workers in the county. In 2017, trucks transported $102 billion worth of goods originating or terminating in the county.
Interstates 10, 15, 40, and 215 and State Routes 60, 91, 210 and 259 are all major trucking arteries running through San Bernardino. These highways connect the area to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, facilitating the flow of imported goods inland to distribution centers in the region and beyond.
San Bernardino is also a major logistics hub, with warehousing and distribution centers taking advantage of the county’s prime location and transportation infrastructure. Amazon, Kohl’s, Mattel Toys, PepsiCo, AutoZone, and Home Depot are just some of the major companies with distribution centers in the area.
Heightened Risk of Truck Crashes
With so many large trucks on the road, crashes are unfortunately common in San Bernardino. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in 2019 there were 676 truck crashes in San Bernardino County, higher than neighboring Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles counties. These crashes resulted in 235 injuries and 24 deaths.
While truck drivers are well-trained professionals, they do face certain risk factors that can lead to collisions, including:
- Driver Fatigue – Truckers often drive long hours and may not get adequate rest. Drowsy driving can impair reaction times. Stricter enforcement of rest break requirements could help improve safety.
- Speeding – Trucks take longer to accelerate and stop. High speeds compound the risks. Speed governors on trucks could potentially limit top speeds.
- Lane Changes and Blind Spots – Trucks have large blind spots around them. Unsafe lane changes are a common cause of sideswipe and rear-end crashes. More side and front mirror requirements could help.
- Poor Maintenance – Lack of maintenance checks on brakes, tires, and other components can cause critical failures. Stronger inspection policies could catch issues.
- Dangerous Roads – Windy mountain highways, congested urban roads, and construction zones all pose heightened risks. Improved engineering and design of roads could help accommodate trucks.
- Inexperienced Drivers – New truckers may lack the skills to safely handle a big rig. Enhanced training requirements for new truck driver’s licenses would be beneficial.
When a fully loaded 80,000 pound truck collides with a passenger car or motorcycle, the results are almost always catastrophic for the smaller vehicle and its occupants. Even at low speeds, the mass discrepancy leads to severe crunching of the car and life-threatening injuries. At highway speeds, impacts are often not survivable.
Common Injuries Sustained in Truck Crashes
Here are some of the serious injuries commonly suffered by car occupants when involved in a collision with a large truck:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) – The violent impacts of truck crashes often lead to TBIs that can impair cognition, speech, sensations, and movements. Memory loss, concentration deficits, and personality changes are common effects.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – Forces transmitted through the car frame can crush or sever the spinal cord, leading to partial or total paralysis. Paraplegia and quadriplegia can completely change a person’s life.
- Internal Organ Damage – Livers, kidneys, and other organs can be lacerated or ruptured in a crash. This internal bleeding can be fatal if not promptly treated. Survivors may suffer organ failure.
- Orthopedic Injuries – Fractured bones, dislocations, and traumatic amputations of arms and legs are common. Long term disability, surgeries, and prosthetics may be required.
- Burn Injuries – Fires may ignite due to vehicle collisions and fuel spills, horribly burning vehicle occupants. Disfiguring scarring and skin grafting procedures typically follow for survivors.
- Wrongful Death – Any of the above severe injuries can ultimately lead to death either at the scene or later at a hospital. Families experience profound loss of their loved one.
The costs of long hospitalizations, surgical procedures, rehabilitation services, medical devices, and potential loss of income quickly add up for injured crash victims. Their lives may be forever altered due to a trucker’s mistake on the roads.
Advocating for Safer Trucking Practices
There are measures that can be taken to try to reduce truck crashes and improve traffic safety:
- Strict enforcement of Hours of Service regulations to discourage trucker fatigue. Electronic logging of hours should be mandatory.
- Regular truck inspections and maintenance checks, especially for brakes, tires, lighting, and accelerator/transmission issues.
- Additional driver training on safely navigating suburban and urban roadways.
- Public education on maintaining safe distances from trucks and not lingering in blind spots.
- Possible restrictions on truck traffic during peak congestion times or adverse weather conditions.
- Safety improvements to highways including rumble strips, better ramp alignments, and dedicated truck lanes.
Trucking plays an indispensable role in our economy, but ensures everyone’s safety requires diligence from companies, drivers, and policy makers. Through cooperation we can work to reduce the risks of large trucks on our roadways.
Contact Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck crash in the San Bernardino area, contact the experienced attorneys at Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys for a free consultation by calling 833-545-1644. A truck accident attorney San Bernardino CA will fully investigate the accident and advise you of your legal rights and options. Our goal is obtaining maximum compensation for your injuries, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the truck collision. We have a proven track record of success in similar cases. Don’t wait to get the help you deserve. Contact a San Bernardino truck accident lawyer today.
