Can This Software Help Reduce Commercial Truck Accidents?

Technology firm Idelic recently announced a new product designed to help commercial truck fleets negotiate lower insurance rates. By gathering and analyzing data from its various safety software programs, Idelic can identify high-risk drivers. Fleet managers will be able to provide proper intervention and coaching. This caught our attention, as a successful implementation of this program could result in a decrease in nationwide trucking accidents – win/win, right?

How does the software work?

Idelic is a suite of analytics and safety software that helps commercial trucking fleets track driver activity and predict future actions. They offer features like a Driver Safety Playbook and a Driver Watch List so fleet managers can keep a close eye on their drivers. This will also help to  know when to step in and offer help and resources when necessary. The Driver Watch List feature in particular is interesting:

Idelic’s individual Driver Watch List scores are based upon analysis of over 40B miles of driver behavior and over 215K accidents. Using our proprietary machine learning, fleet managers and safety operations can identify drivers most at risk of getting into a preventable crash and apply prescriptive coaching plans to reduce that risk.

Today, Transport Topics reports the company is offering another initiative that would help fleets negotiate lower insurance policies using data pulled from these programs.

We’re not surprised trucking companies are looking for any possible way to lower insurance costs. Truck accidents – fatal truck accidents in particular – are increasing in Tennessee and nationwide, and we imagine commercial fleets are feeling the pain of paying out huge verdicts and settlements. Of course, in our opinion, if you don’t want to pay out massive insurance settlements, don’t cause a truck accident.

However, this type of software may be a step in the right direction.

By using a program that works with predictive analytics, a trucking company may be able to remove a dangerous truck driver from the road before a tragedy occurs. Per Idelic, their Driver Watch List program analyzes a variety of driver behavior and predicts their level of risk, allowing fleet managers to intervene and prescribe coaching and intervention before a crash happens, rather than after. They claim “proven crash reduction” with their program, demonstrating a 20.3% decrease in accidents after implementation of the Driver Watch List.

Let’s talk more about truck accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports 5,005 people were killed and 159,000 injured across the country in 2019 in commercial truck crashes. And, almost 23% of truck drivers involved in fatal crashes had a record of previous accidents, including traffic violations:

• 1% with DWI convictions
• 9% with speeding convictions
• 8% with license suspensions or revocations

Tennessee accounted for 9.6% (1,607) of all fatal truck accidents in the country.

Why do truck accidents happen?

Commercial truck accidents happen for many of the same reasons car accidents happen – but when huge trucks are involved, the aftermath is typically much worse. Tractor-trailers also have their own unique issues that contribute to crashes and collisions. Some of the more common reasons these accidents occur include:

• Driver negligence. Whether driving while intoxicated, fatigued, distracted, or simply failing to follow basic safety procedures, trucker negligence can cause catastrophic accidents.
• Mechanical issues. Some truck accidents are a result of defective parts, like malfunctioning brakes or bad tires. In cases like these, we hold the parts manufacturer or other liable party accountable.
• Road conditions. Weather and road conditions can contribute to a tractor-trailer accident, making it difficult or impossible for a truck to stop safely. Or, a truck driver may have problems with visibility and cause an accident. In these incidents there may be several liable parties.

If Idelic’s software (and others like it) works as promised – and enough trucking companies take advantage of it – perhaps it could make a real difference on Tennessee’s roadways. Check back in with us in a couple years and we’ll run the numbers!

In the meantime, if you’re injured in a Nashville truck accident…

…Rocky McElhaney Law Firm can help. Commercial truck accidents tend to cause severe and catastrophic injuries. This means, as the injured victim, you’ll likely require the maximum compensation insurance allows. Now, you know and I know that both the trucking and insurance companies exist to make money – paying out for your injuries is not their priority. In fact, your safety isn’t even their priority.

Transport Topics notes, “The threat of so-called nuclear verdicts — defined as those exceeding $10 million in damages in a court case related to a truck-involved crash — also loom over the market for trucking insurance.”

Their priority is not paying you $10 million. However, as your Nashville truck accident attorneys, our priority is securing you the compensation to which you’re entitled for your injuries and losses. That means your:

• Medical expenses, current and future
• Lost wages and future earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Property damage

We do this by investigating all the circumstances surrounding your accident, investigating the scene, talking to expert witnesses, negotiating with insurance companies, and – if necessary – taking your case to trial.

It remains to be seen how these advances in technology will affect the number of fatal truck accidents throughout the country. If you or a loved one were injured in a commercial truck crash, it’s crucial to work with an experienced and skilled lawyer. At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm in Nashville, we have decades of experience representing people just like you. Let us answer all your questions in a free consultation. Call our offices today or fill out our contact form. We proudly serve clients in Nashville, Hendersonville, and Clarksville.