If a driver falls asleep or is distracted and causes an accident, the images captured by the camera can be used as evidence.
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) November 05, 2014
Personal injury lawyer Gregory F. Coplan of Coplan & Crane today said a recent news report about drowsy truck drivers demonstrates the need to create stronger safety measures to prevent accidents involving sleepy drivers.
Commenting on a CBS 2 News Report (“2 Investigators: Drowsy Truck Drivers At the Wheel?” Oct. 30, 2014), Coplan said the broadcast illustrates the need to use video technology to document events leading up to crashes. Coplan and his client were featured in the news report.
“I think the report makes a strong case in favor of requiring cameras on board large commercial vehicles,” Coplan said. “These video cameras can be installed on the windshields of trucks to monitor what’s happening on the road ahead as well as the behavior of the driver. If a driver falls asleep or is distracted and causes an accident, the images captured by the camera can be used as evidence.”
The CBS 2 News report includes an interview with an Illinois Trucking Association official who also supports having cameras on board because he said the video may exonerate a driver.
Coplan is handling a wrongful death case in which he alleges a truck driver fell asleep before crashing into a car. (Nikki Kaderly et al. vs. Black Horse Carriers, Inc., et al.; No. 2013-L-0000200; 17TH Judicial Circuit Court of Winnebago County, Illinois)
Reporter Pam Zekman said the case could have a big impact on road safety, according to CBS 2 News. While the National Transportation Safety Board has called for the installation of cameras in all heavy commercial vehicles, the agency that regulates the trucking industry has not taken any action. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states there is not enough information about whether cameras actually prevent crashes, according to CBS 2 News.
But CBS 2 News cites a Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study from May 2014 that finds an average of 39,066 injuries could potentially be prevented and 801 lives could be saved each year if cameras were installed in buses and trucks.
Attorney Coplan said he finds the lack of action by the FMCSA baffling, given the Virginia Tech research.
“At Coplan & Crane, we have seen first-hand the devastating impact of accidents involving large commercial vehicles,” Coplan said. “That’s one of the reasons why we are such strong safety advocates. We believe on-board cameras can not only show whether the truck driver was at fault, but also help prevent tragedies. The CBS 2 News report states that federal studies have found that truck drivers who watch videotapes of risky driving habits as part of their training become safer drivers.”
Coplan said anyone injured or who loses a loved one because of the negligence of a truck driver or trucking company should contact an experienced attorney. An attorney can protect the rights of the victim or the family that lost a loved one and hold the negligent individual or company accountable, he said.
About Coplan & Crane
Serving clients in Oak Park, Chicago and all of Illinois, Coplan & Crane handles a wide range of cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, bus accidents, railroad accidents, workplace injuries, dangerous products, medical malpractice and birth injuries. The law firm has a strong track record for obtaining large verdicts and settlements, including several, high-profile, multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. A free consultation is available to all interested clients. The law firm works on a contingency fee basis. That means people only pay if they win.
Coplan & Crane
1111 Westgate St
Oak Park, IL 60301
(708) 358-8080
http://www.coplancrane.com