Truck Accident Lawyer Blog

Today, I received an email from Katie, who comes from a family with three generations of owner-operators. Katie, quite naturally, sees things from the drivers' perspective. With Katie's permission, here are some of her comments:

Being around trucks for a good part of my life, I have plenty of FIRST HAND experience to tell you about how it REALLY is out on the road. Truckers work HARD, and they work so hard that get tired after countless hours of driving. So they want to pull over on a safe birm to get some sleep. But no, they can't, there are no parking signs on the side of the road, and they will get a fine. So they are forced to try to find the nearest truck stop ... possibly causing them to get into an accident or go off the road. Another point that I would like to make is that truckers have to pay road tax, as well as tax on their fuel. They have more of a right to be out on the road than any pedestrian in a four-wheeler. If truckers stopped for one day, the world would go crazy. There would be no gas, or fuel, no groceries, medicine, oxygen, hospital supplies, books, anything needed or not a necessity. You should thank them for risking THEIR lives everyday. People in cars act totally oblivious to trucks on the road. They simply don't see a 80,000 lbs tractor and trailer next to them when they side swipe them. They choose to go around them while making wide right hand turns, or they slam on their brakes at a just-turned yellow light, while the truck has a 80,000 lbs. jag to stop in seconds. It can't happen, they can't stop. Most truckers are the most respectful, down home, do anything for you kind of people. Truckers are only out there to make a living like everyone else, work hard, and keep America going. Remember "Without Truckers, America Stops"

Is it easy being a professional driver? No, it's not. It's incredibly tough. Even so, it is critically important that those in the business always remember to safely operate their 80,000 pound tractor-trailers for the very reason that Katie brings up. Big trucks just can't stop in a few seconds. I have a feeling that the drivers in Katie's family might just be some of the good guys. Let's hope and pray that they stay safe out there.