Why Are Truck Accidents So Common?

 Posted on May 24, 2019 in Car Accident

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the number of accidents involving a large truck or bus increased by 40 percent from 2009 to 2017. An 18-wheeler truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and can cause massive destruction in an instant. Driving on the road next to a semi-truck can give anyone anxiety. Knowing what circumstances can lead to a truck accident may make you a more mindful driver. Being knowledgeable about truck accidents may also help you determine if a truck driver or trucking company was liable for your accident.

Contributing Factors

There is more at stake during a truck accident due to the size and weight of trucks versus passenger cars. It takes an experienced truck driver to know how to properly handle safe road conditions, let alone poor weather. When a truck driver or company is at fault for a severe or fatal accident, passenger car occupants are the most vulnerable. Even with a seat belt, the force of a truck and its impact can change a person's life forever. To know your rights after a truck accident, it is important to consider the following factors that contribute to truck accidents:

• Vehicle Maintenance: Just as you are responsible for making sure your car is in a safe and working order, trucking companies and truck drivers are responsible for the same with their trucks. Large trucks endure a lot of wear and tear from long trips, so to put a truck on the road again without proper inspection can lead to a huge liability problem for the company. Even something as simple as a brake pad check could prevent a catastrophic accident and save lives. Drivers should also be doing routine maintenance checks as they drive to develop a good safety record.

• Fatigue or Driver Error: Truck drivers are responsible for bringing all kinds of goods across the country for our benefit. They work long hours to do so, and while there are laws about taking adequate rest between shifts, fatigue can lead to a misjudgment on the road. A driver who is proven to have not gotten the adequate amount of sleep between shifts as required by law may be found liable for causing an accident. It is the company's responsibility to promote safe driving practices.

• Poor Weather: Even a little rain or snow can negatively affect road conditions. Poor visibility or a slippery surface decreases reaction time for drivers, and if an appropriate speed is not being kept, the consequences can be fatal. To prevent hydroplaning or skidding, truck drivers should use extra caution and proper braking techniques, as well as keep a safe distance between them and other vehicles on the road.  

As shown above, a lot of elements can lead to truck accidents, from improper maintenance to driver error to unsafe road conditions. If you are involved in an accident with a truck, immediately seek medical assistance if necessary. Then, contact a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer to determine liability for the accident and how you can recover damages if the crash was due to negligence on behalf of a truck driver or trucking company. 

Contact a Fort Collins Truck Accident Attorney

The negligence of a truck driver or their employer should not be able to alter your life without consequence. If you have experienced injuries in a collision with a commercial truck, contact a Larimer County truck accident lawyer to discuss your case. Call our office at 970-225-2190 today to schedule a free consultation to find out how we can pursue compensation for you and your family.

Sources:

https://gtgtechnologygroup.com/five-most-common-causes-of-trucking-accidents/

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/large-truck-and-bus-crash-facts-2017