Accidents involving trucks often result in significant injuries. They also cause extensive damage to the vehicles involved. The life of a truck driver can be dramatically changed after such an accident. Each crash is unique, and the resulting injuries are often life-altering. If you have been in a truck accident, you need to know the next steps.
First, contact the police. Calling the police will allow the accident to be legally documented and help the investigation process move forward. Even though the truck driver may try to blame other parties, the police will reveal the truth and protect your rights. The police report will also give you the ability to contact other emergency services.
Truck accidents are dangerous because commercial trucks carry extremely heavy loads and weigh a great deal more than other vehicles. They can cause severe injuries and extensive property damage, and can even result in death. In some cases, truck drivers can be fired if they’re found to have been at fault in an accident.
What are the Most Common Truck Accidents?
Most truck accidents involve a collision with another vehicle. They are very dangerous and can result in serious injuries or death. Commercial trucks are bigger than other vehicles and are prone to collisions. Some common examples of large trucks are dump/garbage trucks, tractor-trailers, tankers, flatbed trucks, tow trucks, cement mixers, refrigerator trucks, and car carriers.
Another common type of truck accident is a jackknife. This occurs when a large commercial truck is stopped suddenly. It can be dangerous because the weight of the trailer can push down on the cab and cause it to roll over. A tire blowout is another common cause of a truck accident. It can cause the vehicle to go in an uncontrollable direction and cause serious injury to the driver and nearby drivers.
Another cause of truck accidents is fatigue in the driver. Most drivers spend long hours on the road and get little rest in between drives. In addition, the drivers of these large trucks are under the pressure of delivering goods to their destination within a short amount of time. As a result, they may not be able to concentrate properly and may even fall asleep behind the wheel.
What is the Number One Cause of Truck Accidents?
A common reason for truck accidents is truck drivers’ fatigue. Drivers often work long hours and fail to take proper rest. They may also be distracted by the phone or texting while behind the wheel. When this happens, truckers can’t pay attention to the road ahead and end up crashing. Tire blowouts are another common cause of truck accidents. Driver fatigue can also cause drivers to fall asleep at the wheel.
Fatalities involving large trucks are much higher than those involving smaller vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2017 there were 4,761 fatal crashes involving large trucks. Eighty-two percent of fatalities involved passenger vehicles, while just 9% were truck drivers. Despite the high death toll, these crashes are not the worst kinds of traffic accidents.
Driver error is the most common cause of truck accidents. Despite the fact that truck drivers are supposed to take care of their trucks, 55% of trucks that were inspected after crashes had mechanical problems. Furthermore, almost 30 percent of trucks were deemed unsafe to be on the road in the first place. Trucks are prone to malfunctions related to tires, brakes, wheels, and lighting systems.
Why are Trucking Accidents a Serious Issue?
While car crash fatalities are on the decline nationwide, the trucking industry has recently seen a dramatic increase in fatal crashes. While car drivers are increasingly aware of the dangers of distracted driving and inclement weather, trucking drivers face an almost one-in-eight chance of a serious accident every year. Fortunately, truck accidents can be avoided by following some simple safety tips.
Because large trucks are so heavy, they’re much more difficult to stop than a passenger car. As a result, trucking accidents can be devastating, resulting in serious injuries or even death to anyone in a passenger vehicle. Trucks often carry hazardous materials, toxic chemicals, or flammable liquids, and a collision between them and a car or pedestrian can be devastating.
Truck accidents are most often the result of driver error. Fatigue is a major factor, causing drivers to make poor judgments and miscalculate their speed. Tires and brakes are also common causes of truck crashes, according to the FMCSA.
What State Has the Most Semi Truck Accidents?
Accidents involving large trucks are dangerous and often deadly. Statistics show that one in ten car accident deaths are caused by collisions with a large truck. Trucks carry more than two-thirds of the nation’s freight, and this increases the risk of truck accidents. Many of these collisions are fatal, and families of victims may be able to hold trucking companies liable for their wrongful death.
A truck driver may be responsible for an accident if he or she failed to follow proper trucking rules and regulations. In some cases, the failure to follow these regulations may be the fault of the driver or mechanic. In other cases, a faulty part installed in the truck may be the cause of the crash. Although a truck is large, this doesn’t always mean that it’s the culprit. In some cases, the motor vehicle driver may be at fault for the collision, such as texting while driving or speeding. In these cases, the truck driver would not have liability.
When a truck driver has an accident, his or her employer should fill out an accident report, which should contain important information regarding the accident. An electronic logging system may also be installed on the truck. This technology may be able to tell if the driver was tired or distracted, as it is designed to record all important information. Furthermore, the FMCSA, which regulates the trucking industry, requires truck drivers to undergo drug tests after most accidents. In addition to this, a driver is also required to undergo testing if the accident involves the death of another person.
Are Trucks Safer Than Cars in a Crash?
According to the IIHS, trucks are more likely to be involved in single-vehicle crashes. This difference is due in part to the design of trucks. They have a forward-biased weight distribution, which makes them more likely to crash with a single vehicle.
Trucks also have a higher center of gravity, which puts them at greater risk of rollovers. Approximately one hundred people die every year in truck rollover crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The victims include both truck drivers and passengers in other vehicles.
There is some controversy over the safety of pickup trucks in accidents. One study by IIHS found that pickup trucks had a 20 percent lower fatality rate than cars. The study also found that women are more likely to be injured in a collision with a pickup truck than men.
A truck driver’s perspective is very different than that of a car driver. A truck’s impact will be felt much more severely than that of a car driver in a sedan, SUV, or small convertible. A truck also has more payload capacity and more flexible cargo options than an SUV, which can be problematic.
What are the 3 Factors That Cause Accidents?
There are several factors that contribute to truck accidents. These include driver distraction, alcohol or drug use, and speeding. Many other factors may also increase the risk of an accident. LTCCS defines a factor as one that increases the likelihood of a crash. For example, a driver may be distracted by an object or person inside his truck or by an oncoming traffic signal.
Another factor in truck accidents is the driver’s decision to violate the rules. While truck drivers should follow federal rules and regulations, many drivers choose to ignore them and risk causing an accident. Whether it is speeding, illegally duplicating log books, driving under the influence of drugs or fatigue, these drivers may be putting themselves and others at risk.
One of the most common causes of truck accidents is truck drivers drifting out of their lane of travel. This can be due to a faulty tire, but can also result from inattention or intentional maneuvers. This can pose a serious danger to other drivers in blind spots or attempting to pass. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has studied truck drivers and found that 31% of all truck accidents involve a truck driver moving out of their lane of travel.
What are Preventable Accidents in Trucking?
A preventable accident is one that can be avoided by a truck driver. These accidents can occur due to a number of factors, including hours of service violations, unsafe driving conditions, and insufficient training. Drivers can also avoid collisions by staying far enough away from cars in front of them and driving at an appropriate speed.
Trucking safety experts say that 88 percent of all traffic accidents involving truckers are preventable. In order to determine whether an accident was preventable, the truck driver must be aware of the relevant motor vehicle laws and regulations. Drivers are also required to gather evidence and witness statements to determine whether or not they were at fault for an accident.
Many preventable accidents in trucking involve mechanical issues with the truck. Drivers must perform a thorough inspection of their vehicles before they set off on a trip. This is considered a mandatory safety rule that is often violated, but performing it properly can help avoid devastating accidents.
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