The trucking industry has grown in popularity in the last couple decades. It is expected that truck accidents will become the fifth leading cause of death in the United States by 2030. While this industry is a lucrative source of income, it is important to consider the safety measures that can help keep it as safe as possible. If you are in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation. It is important to hire an experienced legal professional to help you with your case.
One of the most common causes of truck accidents is driver error. The driver should be well rested, as fatigue can increase the chances of trucking accidents. Many truck drivers are under pressure to work long hours. Even though it is the law to get rest during the workday, sleeping at the wheel while driving a truck is dangerous.
One of the most dangerous types of truck accidents is a rollover. This occurs when a driver loses control of the vehicle and slides sideways into an obstruction. It can happen when the driver takes a turn too quickly without considering the conditions or weight of the trailer.
Are Trucks Safer Than Cars in a Crash?
Despite the common myth that trucks are safer in a crash, there is actually a difference between car and truck safety. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), truck crashes are less common, but they are also more damaging. The study found that the risk of an accident with a truck is double that of a car crash.
Trucks are larger, heavier, and have a higher center of gravity than cars, making them vulnerable to rollovers. Rollover accidents involving large trucks kill about 100 people every year, including drivers and passengers in other cars. The NHTSA estimates that truck rollover accidents result in the deaths of hundreds of people every year.
Another difference between car and truck safety is that the frame of a truck is more rigid than a car’s. This makes them better at heavy-duty jobs like hauling. However, it also means that trucks don’t collapse as well as cars, and the energy from a front-end crash can enter the passenger compartment. Because of this, truck passenger safety is a major concern. According to a study from the IIHS, pickup truck drivers and passengers suffer fatal injuries 2.5 times more than car drivers.
What Happens When a Truck Runs Over You?
In the event of a truck accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Even if you feel unharmed, you should go to a hospital for a full medical evaluation. It may take a long time to recover, and your body will likely require extensive treatment. In addition, you may require ongoing care for the rest of your life.
If possible, exchange insurance information and contact information with the other driver. You should also take pictures of the scene and document any damage caused. You should also contact your insurance company to file a claim. It is important to document everything, especially if you want to receive compensation. Even if you are not able to file a lawsuit, filing an accident report is crucial for insurance purposes.
If you were injured in a truck accident, you should contact the truck driver’s insurance company immediately. In addition, you should collect the license plate number of the truck. Taking down these details is important as they can be used as evidence by the truck driver’s insurance company to reduce or deny your claim.
Where Do Most Truck Accidents Occur?
According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, the most common times for truck accidents are during the middle of the day. The reason for this is because there are more cars on the road during work rush hours, and visibility is less at night. Additionally, the majority of car crashes happen on weekends, which is why truck accidents happen more frequently during the week. In fact, more than half of truck accidents occurred between the hours of 6 a.m. and 3 p.m.
In fact, most trucking accidents occur in rural areas. Although you might expect trucking accidents to happen on city interstates, where traffic is at its highest, these crashes are far more common in rural areas. According to the FMCSA, 52% of large truck accidents occurred on roads other than interstates.
According to the Institute for Highway Safety, there were 4,136 fatal truck collisions in the United States in 2018. A majority of the victims were passengers of passenger vehicles. Just 15% were pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycle riders. The average victim age was 52, and a fifth of fatalities involved a large truck.
What State Has the Most Semi Truck Accidents?
If we look at the statistics for fatal truck accidents in the U.S., it becomes clear that California is one of the most dangerous states for truck drivers. The state is home to some of the largest cities in the country, making it an area that truck drivers must navigate all the time. In fact, in California alone, there are more than 12,000 accidents involving semi-trucks every year, more than double the amount of accidents in neighboring Texas and Florida combined.
Texas is the state with the highest rate of fatal collisions involving large trucks. Some of the reason for this is the state’s size, but it is still a fact that Texas has more truck accidents than any other state in the nation. California, which is less than half the size of Texas, has the second highest number of truck accidents.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were more than 22,000 large truck accidents in 2020. This represents 4.4% of all crashes in the state. On average, trucks are involved in six accidents a day.
What is the Number One Cause of Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents are common and often result from driver error. Whether the truck is small or large, mistakes can cause serious damage. Driver negligence can lead to civil and criminal charges. Drivers who are overly anxious or panicked can also contribute to the accidents. While driving close to a truck can be scary, it’s important to be calm and stay within the speed limit.
Another common cause of truck accidents is carelessness on the part of car drivers. Inattentive drivers who fail to look for semi-trucks can cause a rear-end collision. Also, drivers who are making a lane change too fast or try to pass a truck on the right may cause an accident. All of these behaviors can lead to a crash. Accidents involving truck drivers are also more likely to result in injuries.
According to the FMCSA, speed was the number one cause of commercial truck fatalities in recent years. Driver distraction was a contributing factor in 6% of fatal commercial truck accidents. Similarly, large trucks were involved in 27% of fatal work zone accidents.
How Do Most Truck Accidents Happen?
There are several different factors that can cause a truck accident. Many of these accidents are caused by driver error. A trucker may be distracted, impaired, or not properly trained. Other factors include fatigue, lack of route information, or aggressive driving. To prevent these accidents, it’s important to be careful when driving a truck and take breaks.
Rear-end crashes happen when a truck follows another car too closely. These accidents can lead to serious injuries. Another common cause of a truck-car accident is a trailer under-ride, which can severely damage a smaller vehicle. Additionally, large trucks have large blind spots, which can cause accidents.
According to a study by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, 74% of fatal truck accidents involved a passenger vehicle. Of these, 32% occurred on freeways and interstates. The rest of the crashes occurred on rural roads. More than half (55%) involved other vehicles, while just 5% involved pedestrians. Injuries and fatalities from these types of accidents occur in the afternoon and evening.
What are Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
Many of the large truck accidents that happen are the result of driver error. Most truck drivers have long working hours and little rest in between drives, which leads to mistakes in judgment and speed, as well as a loss of control over the massive vehicle. Other causes of accidents include distraction, aggressive driving, and poor vehicle maintenance.
Truck drivers often get road rage, and they’re often under a great deal of pressure to deliver goods on time. This stress can lead to serious injury for the driver and other drivers on the road. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent truck accidents and make your truck a safer place to drive.
The most common type of truck accident involves speeding. When a driver exceeds the speed limit or drives in hazardous weather, he or she puts everyone else on the road in danger. Impaired driving can also occur due to fatigue, and can include illegal maneuvers such as tailgating or making lane changes. Truck drivers should also keep in mind the height of their vehicles and the clearance of approaching obstacles.
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