Tractor Trailer Drivers Using GPS Devices Could Result in More Serious Traffic Accidents
Semi truck drivers are often paid by the mile and have strong incentives to get their shipment to its destination as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, this can result in serious dangers to other drivers on the road when a semi truck driver takes a route that is not suitable for the semi truck. For instance, some roads are too narrow and restricted to semi truck drivers. Other roads have overpasses that are too low creating a serious risk if a tractor trailer driver ignores a road sign telling them the route is restricted and drives on that road anyway.
With the increasing popularity of GPS devices, more semi truck drivers are taking the shortest routes and ignoring road signs which show certain roads are restricted to the big trucks. As a result, there has been an increase in accidents involving semi trucks, particularly those crashes caused by tractor trailers crashing into a lower overpass. Obviously, if a semi truck is driving at a normal speed and crashes into an overpass, the risk of injuries to other drivers on the road is significant. That risk is compounded for semi truck drivers that are carrying hazardous materials or other dangerous cargo.
If a semi truck driver crashes into an overpass, it seems almost irrefutable that any injuries that result are caused by the negligence of that semi truck driver in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. If it turns out that the semi truck driver was using a GPS device that directed him to a quicker, but unsafe, route and he/she ignored any road signs telling him/her to avoid that road, an argument could be made that the semi truck driver was being reckless and punitive damages should be awarded to the injured parties.
