It would be virtually impossible to avoid commercial trucks altogether, whether you’re driving in the middle of a bustling city or in the farms of Northern California. When these commercial trucks are involved in accidents, the injuries and damages involved can be significantly worse than the images and damages in an auto accident. While that’s likely no surprise, you may be surprised by some of the most common reasons for commercial truck accidents.
Commercial truck accident statistics
Also known by the names semi-trucks, tractor trailers, 18-wheelers, big rigs, or semis, large trucks are generally between 53 and 75 feet long and may weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds. The US Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator estimates there are more than 10 million large commercial trucks registered in the U.S.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tracks accidents and shows that in 2013 there were almost 4,000 deaths involving large commercial trucks. Most of those who were killed weren’t driving the commercial trucks – they were the passengers or drivers of the vehicles struck.
Many commercial truck accidents may be the fault of the driver
Some accidents are caused by weather, a medical emergency, or other factors that the driver can’t control. However, often times the accidents are caused either by the company that owns the truck or the driver themselves. Some situations in which the driver or their company may be negligent include:
- Tiredness or fatigue due to long hours on the road
- Drivers who weren’t properly trained
- Failure to complete appropriate maintenance
- The driver following too closely
- Exceeding the speed limit
- Defective trailer hitches
- Failure to complete repairs properly
- Not following appropriate safety procedures
- Misjudging the distance between their truck and other vehicles on the road.
- Illegal moves.
- Falsely assuming the driver of another vehicle would act in a certain way
- Distracted driving
- Not properly evading an accident
- Inattentive driving
- Changing lanes unsafely
- Driving aggressively
- Not yielding to the right of way
- Driving while intoxicated
- Brake failure
- Not being familiar with the road
- Overloaded or otherwise improperly loaded trailers
- Not being familiar enough with large commercial trucks
- Not secure cargo properly
- Not following United States safety regulations
- Rushing their delivery due to an employer placing unreasonable demands on them
What to do if you or someone you love has been hurt in a commercial truck accident
Have you been the victim of a commercial truck accident? Or has someone you love been hurt in an accident involving a truck? Depending on the specifics of the accident, the driver, the company they work for, or both could be held responsible for the accident.
To learn more about your options, and whether you have a case, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas today at 909-982-0707 for your free consultation. We have decades of experience, have worked with thousands of clients, and always handle every case as aggressively as is necessary. When you want the best possible outcome, you want to contact our offices immediately.
