Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers: Cab Seat Technology
November 25, 2016Sitting behind the wheel of a large truck for extended periods of time can cause a range of health problems, from minor body aches and pains to chronic lower back problems and other musculoskeletal issues. This can affect the driver’s ability to focus on the road, which can lead to serious truck accidents. Fortunately, engineers have been working hard to make improvements to cab seats that will help address these issues and reduce the number of devastating truck crashes in Maryland.
According to a number of published studies, there is a direct correlation between vehicle-related whole body vibration and the development of certain health problems. Peter Johnson, professor in the Occupational and Environmental Exposure Sciences program in the School of Public Health at the University of Washington in Seattle, reported that lower back problems are one of the most common health issues that truck drivers face. Over the past 60 years, scientists and engineers have made significant advancements, including mechanical suspension seats followed by air-suspension seats.
Better Technology, Fewer Truck Accidents
Recently, the Bose Corporation introduced a truck seat that can cancel out a considerable amount of vehicle-induced vibrations using algorithms that are much like the ones used in their noise-cancellation headphones. The suspension can sense the vertical movements in the truck cab, then counteract the movements by moving the seat in the opposite direction, eliminating most of the vibrations. As a result, according to the President and CEO of Brown Integrated Logistics who began installing Bose Ride seats in its trucks in 2014, drivers tend to feel safer, more alert, and much more positive overall.
Air-suspension seats, a technology that uses flexible air bellows combined with a mechanical shock under the seat, help absorb shocks and vibration. Chronic conditions like musculoskeletal disorders are common among truck drivers and the suspension seats help improve the driver’s posture, which can prevent fatigue and reduce other conditions caused by whole body vibrations. When drivers are more alert, they are less likely to cause a serious truck accident as a result of drowsy driving.
Most of the major truck manufacturers, including Mack, Volvo, Peterbilt, and Daimler, recognize the importance of in-cab comfort for drivers and are looking for ways to make improvements. Offering seat options that can accommodate different body weights and personal preferences can help keep the driver more comfortable, and better able to safely operate the vehicle.
Other potentially lifesaving technology includes RollTek, which provides integrated rollover protection by adding airbags into the bolsters of the seats. If the truck rolls over, the driver is protected. These are just a few of the technological advances truck companies are making to improve the comfort of cab seats and reduce the incidence of truck accidents.
Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Truck Accidents in Maryland
If you or a loved on has been seriously injured in a truck accident, contact the dedicated Baltimore truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We are on your side and will provide the skilled legal representation you need to secure the financial compensation you deserve. To set up a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent truck accident victims throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
