Dangers of bus and truck drivers who have suffered seizures, heart attacks or other medical problems
The Associated Press published a summary of a federal study from the Government Accountability Office, which was obtained in advance of its release later this week. The report highlights a major threat on our nations highways, were hundreds of deaths and serious injuries could have been caused by bus or truck crashes where the driver should not have had a commercial drivers license due to prior seizures, heart attacks, unconscious spells or other serious health problems.
According to the Transportation Department, over 130,000 people were injured in commercial bus or truck accidents in 2006, including about 5,300 deaths. A federal safety study from last year found that some of the leading causes of truck crashes throughout the United states were situations where the truck driver fell asleep while driving, suffered a heart attack, experienced a seizure or were otherwise physically impaired.
The Associated Press report found that over 500,000 individuals who carried a commercial driver’s license were determined to be eligible for disability benefits by the Veteran Affairs Department, Labor Department or Social Security Administration. The GAO study specifically identified over 1,000 truck drivers who likely should have been prohibited a valid commercial license as a result of vision problems, hearing problems or seizure disorders.
The AP article highlights several cases where severe injuries or deaths were caused by commercial drivers or truckers who blacked out, collapsed or suffered a major health problem while driving vehicles that can weigh 40 tons. One example, was the January 2004 Maryland truck accident where a gasoline tanker was driven off of an overpass, landing on Interstate 95 near Baltimore, exploding in flames. Four people were killed in that Maryland truck crash, and state investigators found that the driver had suffered a heart attack or other medical emergency while driving.
MARYLAND TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYERS
While the vast majority of truckers throughout the United States are responsible driver, who are hard and honest workers, the Maryland Truck Accident Lawyers at Saiontz, Kirk & Miles, P.A. have found that in most cases involving serious or fatal injuries, the drivers violated federal regulations or should never have been eligible for a commercial license. Many truckers are able to find doctors who overlook risky health conditions, or continue driving even if they are unable to obtain a valid medical certificate.
The attorneys at Saiontz, Kirk & Miles, P.A. investigate serious injuries resulting from truck accidents in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania or Washington, D.C. To review a potential case, request a free consultation.
