New studies show that there are more than 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions that occur annually in the United States– and that only counts deer! The combined dollar amount for all vehicular repairs caused by wildlife vehicle collisions is $1.1 billion. Personal injury attorney Ken Christensen urges trucking companies to equip every vehicle in their fleet with grille guards. Doing so would not only save millions of dollars in vehicular damages, but it would prevent amassing many more millions of dollars in medical expenses.
According to a new study conducted by the Wildlife Society, there are more than 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions (DVC) that occur annually in the United States– and that is only deer! Moose, elk, caribou, foxes, coyotes, and many other animals significantly increase collision amounts to greater proportions. The combined dollar amount for all vehicular repairs caused by wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVC) is $1.1 billion.
The average deer weighs anywhere between 125-300 pounds with a shoulder height averaging 3.5 feet. A moose weighs 1200-1600 pounds with a shoulder height average of 6.2 feet (Defenders of Wildlife). Imagine what that kind of poundage and size would do to your truck going 70 mph! Now imagine that a grille guard had been in place; the difference is staggering.
Truck drivers are trained to keep their wheels straight and go through the animal, not around it. Unfortunately, some truck driver’s fail to follow this important rule because they know that the animal can cause extensive damage to the truck and keep them from delivering their load in a timely manner. When a driver attempts to swerve and miss an animal, they are more likely to lose control of their vehicle and put other drivers at risk. A grille guard provides the requisite confidence a truck driver needs to stay their course and maintain control of their load.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in 2010 over 500,000 large trucks and commercial vehicles were involved in accidents, with over 100,000 people sustaining serious injuries, and over 5,000 people dying in these crashes. This was compared to only 3,200 deaths involving large trucks in 2009.
Attorney Ken Christensen of Good Guys Injury Law contends that, “These numbers will significantly drop if every semi-truck is equipped with a grille guard; trucking companies should be required to provide one to every driver.”
About: Good Guys Injury Law, Personal Injury Attorney Utah
The personal injury attorneys at Good Guys Injury Law represent clients who have been injured in car accidents, Utah bicycle accidents, dog bites, or clients who have lost a loved one and are in need of a wrongful death attorney. They have won cases amounting to millions of dollars, which have ultimately enabled those who have been injured to better deal with the effects of personal tragedy that accompany wrongful injuries. They have also written multiple free accident books, covering in great detail how to handle a personal injury and the repercussions therefrom.
For a free consultation with a Utah personal injury attorney, call Good Guys Injury Law today at (801) 506-0800 or visit their website at https://christensenhymas.com/.
Good Guys Injury Law:
Main Office — 11693 S. 700 E. Ste. 100, Draper, UT 84020 — (801) 506-0800 — Fax: (801) 506-0801
Utah County Office — 584 S State Street, Orem, UT 84058 — (801) 224-2999
Davis County Office — 503 West 2600 South #200, Bountiful, UT 84010 — (801) 294-9500