Proposed Federal Legislation May Increase Trucking Accident Highway Fatalities

Drafted federal legislation which would permit larger and heavier tractor trailers on U.S. highways could increase the safety risks on American roadways in the near future. Several federal proposals, including one already before the U.S. House of Representative’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, seek to increase size limits as a way to improve trucking productivity and reduce traffic.

Some of the proposed changes in federal law include:

• Allowing triple tractor trailer trucks
• Increasing the size limits of double tractor trailer trucks (from current maximum length of 28 feet per trailer to 33 feet per trailer), and
• Increasing the length and weight limits of single tractor trailer trucks (from 80,000 pounds to 97,000 pounds).

Supporters of the legislation such as the Coalition for Transportation Productivity argue that an increase in truck sizes would allow better weight distribution which would be less damaging to roads and allow quicker brake time. Several organizations including the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks are opposing the proposed legislation which they believe will lead to an increase in the number of truck accident highway fatalities. Opponents to the legislation cite a Multimodal Transportation and Infrastructure Consortium study conclusion that larger trucks (categorized as six or more axles) have an eight times greater fatality rate than smaller trucks.

Delaware Trucking Accident Lawyers at Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP Represent Families of Individuals Killed in Fatal Delaware and Pennsylvania Tractor-trailer Accidents

At Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP, our dedicated Delaware trucking accident lawyersunderstand the devastating effects that fatal trucking accidents have on the surviving families. We work to aggressively represent families who have lost a loved one in a fatal tractor-trailer accident. Our experienced accident lawyers help guide families through the complexities of the litigation process, from the initial investigation and identification of potentially responsible parties through trial and settlement negotiations.

The offices of Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP are located conveniently in Wilmington, Delaware and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to serve injured individuals and their families throughout Delaware and Pennsylvania. Call our dedicated Delaware trucking litigators today at (302) 295-5050, toll free at (800) 300-0909 or contact us online to set up your free confidential consultation.