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Operating any type of vehicle is inherently dangerous; that’s why trucking is a very dangerous profession. Truckers spend a lot of time on the road, making them more likely to be involved in an accident.
With 5.6 million tractor-trailers registered in the U.S., traveling 140 billion miles per year, there are 500,000 accidents involving these trucks annually.
Unfortunately, due to their sheer size and weight, it is often those in passenger vehicles who suffer the consequences of such accidents. In fact, a commercial truck weighs about 40 tons, while the average car weighs about 2.5 tons. Most fatalities in these accidents are the occupants of passenger vehicles.
Luckily, drivers of both passenger cars and commercial vehicles can reduce their risk of being involved in a big rig accident by understanding that which is most likely to cause one. Here are the 5 most common causes of commercial truck accidents.
According to the Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS), the leading cause of commercial wrecks is driver error. Many of these errors involve poor judgment pertaining to driving decisions such as speeding, turning too sharply, or traveling too fast in poor road conditions.
The second most common cause of commercial truck accidents is distracted driving. When truckers fail to pay full attention to the road, their ability to avoid hazards in front of them diminishes.
The third most common cause of commercial trucking accidents has to do with impaired driving. Impaired driving could be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or driving without enough sleep. Physical impairments such as seizures and heart attacks also fall under this category.
The fourth leading cause of commercial truck accidents is vehicle malfunctions. According to the LTCCS, vehicle malfunctions caused 10 percent of the accidents researched. The owners of vehicles must maintain them. When they fail to do so and are involved in an accident due to this type of failure, they can be held liable for the damages.
The fifth leading cause of commercial truck accidents is poor driving. Not only do commercial trucks cause accidents with passenger vehicles, but passenger vehicles also cause accidents with commercial trucks. Motorists in these types of cars can reduce their risk of getting injured in a collision with a commercial truck by remaining vigilant when around large trucks and tractor-trailers, staying out of their blind spots.
Graves McLain Can Help.
If you have been injured in a truck accident, you should not have to pay for someone else’s mistakes. The attorneys at Graves McLain have substantial experience in representing individuals in auto vehicle accidents.
There is no charge for Graves McLain to review your case. If we represent you, we will handle your case on a contingency fee basis. Call an experienced tractor-trailer accident attorney at Graves McLain at 918-359-6600. Trust our team. We’re here to help.
Graves McLain – Serious Lawyers For Serious Injuries.
