Truck accidents are a serious problem in the United States, with thousands of serious and fatal collisions involving large commercial vehicles each year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were over 105,000 collisions involving large trucks in 2020.
A New York Truck Accident Attorney may investigate your truck accident claim closely, will handle all the legal complexities involved in the claim process, and will help identify the liable parties by analyzing the fundamental cause of the wreck.
The causes of these accidents vary, but some common factors increase the truck crash risk. These include driver fatigue, distracted driving, inadequate training, poor vehicle maintenance, and adverse weather conditions.
While some of these may be unavoidable, the vast majority are caused by preventable mistakes or negligence.
Understanding the causes of truck accidents is critical to reducing the likelihood of them occurring. Drivers can be better prepared to avoid accidents and stay safe on the road if they understand the risks.
Truck accidents differ by the type of truck that is involved. Heavy tractor-trailers, light delivery trucks, garbage trucks, cement mixers, flatbeds, and other large commercial trucks can all lead to severe injury or death. Truck rollovers account for 4–5% of all crashes in the U.S. Some truck accidents are more common than others.
Semi Truck Accidents
Semi-truck accidents account for roughly four percent of all fatal crashes in the US annually. An estimated 1,500 people were killed in semi-truck crashes in 2022, and 70, 000 injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Dump Truck Accidents
Dump truck accidents have risen over the last decade, with an average of 1,700 people killed in these incidents annually since 2011.
Garbage Truck Accidents
Although relatively rare compared to semi-truck accidents, they account for an average of 25% of accidents each year.
Fire Trucks
As many fire trucks weigh between 38,000 and 60,000 pounds when fully loaded, collisions involving these vehicles often lead to severe injuries and fatalities. According to NHTSA statistics, nearly 500 people are interested in fire truck-related collisions each year.
Stay alert when you see them on the road to reduce the risk of being involved in a collision with a fire truck. Always yield right away if one is approaching you.
Tow Trucks
While tow truck drivers may not drive at high speeds because they usually haul passenger vehicles behind them, tow truck collisions can still be quite dangerous. In 2022, there were over 200 deaths related to tow truck accidents.
1. Driver fatigue
According to a report by the FMCSA, driver fatigue is a major factor in nearly 40% of all trucking accidents.
When truck driver has been awake for too long, doing nothing but driving, they are suffering from driver fatigue. Lack of concentration, sluggish reflexes and carelessness can all result in dangerous situations.
Drivers of large trucks should not spend more than 11 hours continuously on the road without stopping.
2. Distracted driving
Distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of car accidents in recent years, and it is no different from truck accidents. The FMCSA reports that distracted driving accounts for 22% of all truck accidents. It can include anything from texting while driving to looking away from the road while speaking with other drivers.
3. Improper loading
Improperly loaded trailers can cause drivers to lose control or tip over if they make sudden turns or maneuvers. Poor weight distribution can also reduce a driver’s ability to handle their vehicle properly, potentially resulting in an accident properly. Loads should always be evenly distributed and secured correctly to avoid tipping and other related issues.
4. Speeding
Speeding is another factor that can contribute to trucking accidents. Due to their size and weight, trucks take longer than cars to stop and maneuver, so even a minor speeding violation could have serious repercussions.
5. Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving can range from tailgating to making unsafe lane changes. These behaviors increase the risk of an accident due to the lack of safe space between vehicles and increase the chance of a collision due to speeding or poor maneuverability.
6. Unfamiliar Roads
If truck drivers need to become more familiar with their route, they could make wrong turns or drive down unfamiliar roads with unexpected obstacles.
7. Weather Conditions
Poor weather conditions such as rain, snow, fog, and ice can drastically reduce visibility and tire traction, increasing the chances of an accident.
8. Poor Vehicle Maintenance
Trucking companies and their drivers regularly inspect and maintain their vehicles. When they fail to do this, they can be held accountable for any accidents. Poor vehicle maintenance can lead to tire blowouts, brake failures, steering problems, and engine failures. Even something as simple as inadequate wiper fluid can limit a driver’s visibility and cause an accident. Negligence in maintenance is a leading cause of truck accidents and can easily be prevented with proper care.
9. Illegal Drugs & Alcohol
It should go without saying, but alcohol and drugs should never be consumed before operating a commercial motor vehicle. According to research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 33 percent of all fatal truck accidents involve drugs or alcohol.
10. Inadequate Driver Training
According to the FMCSA, 27% of all trucking accidents were caused by drivers who had received inadequate training or were operating a vehicle without proper licensure. Companies must ensure their drivers are adequately trained before they get behind the wheel, as this can drastically reduce the chances of an accident.
To prevent truck accidents, all drivers must remain aware of their surroundings and maintain safe following distances from other vehicles. It is also vital for truck drivers to pay attention to posted speed limits and obey traffic signs and signals.
All trucks should be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure that all parts are in good working order. Additionally, truckers must ensure they have had adequate rest before setting out on long hauls so they don’t become fatigued while behind the wheel. Taking these precautions will help keep everyone safe on the roads.
Distracted driving plays a significant role in causing truck accidents. When a driver is distracted, they can fail to notice hazards on the roadway or make poor decisions that could cause serious collisions.
Texting, talking on the phone, changing radio stations, or even engaging with passengers can significantly impair a driver’s concentration and cause them to veer off course or miss turns or exits. The FMCSA has banned texting by commercial vehicle operators while operating their vehicles to reduce distraction-related accidents.
If you’re ever involved in a truck accident, staying calm and assessing the situation is the most important thing. Call 911 immediately and provide them with all relevant details. If you’re able, try to get out of harm’s way until emergency services arrive.
Once they arrive, exchange insurance information with the other driver and any witnesses who might have seen what happened. Also, take pictures of the scene and write down everything you remember from the incident. This information can be beneficial when filing an insurance claim or pursuing legal action against the other driver. In any case, it’s recommended that you contact a lawyer to get advice on how to best to proceed after being involved in a truck accident.
Yes, many newer trucks now feature safety features designed to prevent collisions. Some of these include:
Additionally, some newer trucks are equipped with collision avoidance systems that automatically brake when a collision appears imminent. While these technologies cannot completely prevent all truck accidents, they can help reduce the risk of such occurrences by making drivers more aware of their surroundings.
Fewer truck-related accidents will likely occur as more trucks become equipped with these advanced safety features.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, the truck’s driver and the owner of the car could be held liable for damages caused. For instance, if the accident occurred due to driver negligence (such as speeding or reckless driving), the driver and owner may be held responsible for compensating victims for injuries or damages.
On the other hand, if the accident were due to mechanical failure, then only the truck owner would typically be held responsible. Therefore, it’s essential to determine who was at fault before deciding how to move forward with a legal claim.
In most cases, yes. A personal injury attorney specializing in truck accidents can be beneficial in navigating the complex laws surrounding these types of cases. An experienced attorney will be familiar with the specific rules and regulations about truck drivers and be able to evaluate the strength of any potential claims you may have. They can also represent you in court and negotiate with the insurance companies to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Furthermore, a truck accident attorney can assist you with any medical bills or property damage associated with the crash and answer any questions about the process. Ultimately, consulting with a lawyer is the best way to ensure that you are fully protected in the event of a truck accident.
The type of compensation you can receive from a truck accident depends on the case’s particular facts. Generally speaking, you may be entitled to reimbursement for any hospital expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, or other damages incurred due to the accident.
Additionally, punitive damages may be awarded in some instances where the driver acted recklessly or with intentional disregard for safety. It’s essential to keep track of any evidence and documents related to the accident to increase the chances of receiving total and fair compensation. Your attorney can also provide further assistance in this regard.
Generally speaking, if you were injured in an accident caused by the truck driver’s negligence or recklessness, you may have grounds for a lawsuit against the trucking company that employed them. Speaking with an experienced attorney is essential to determining whether your case is viable and worth pursuing in court.
If you believe that an equipment or design defect was the cause of your injury, you may be able to file suit against the company that manufactured the faulty product.
Depending on the severity of the injuries sustained and other factors, the claims process can take some time. Your lawyer will help guide you through every step of the process so that it goes as quickly and smoothly as possible. It includes gathering evidence such as police reports, medical records, witness testimony, and other relevant information to support your case.
Your lawyer will negotiate with insurance companies to reach a fair settlement amount. In some cases, bringing your claim before a judge and jury for trial is necessary. No matter what steps are required for success, it’s essential to have an experienced legal advocate who will protect your rights and fight for justice on your behalf.
If the truck driver responsible for your accident were uninsured or underinsured, you would likely need to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver instead of the trucking company. Depending on the state where the accident occurred, specific laws may allow victims to recover damages from uninsured drivers.
If the truck driver was underinsured, you might need to file a personal injury claim with your insurance policy to receive compensation for your damages. In either scenario, discussing all available options with your attorney before taking further action is essential. An experienced personal injury lawyer can explain how to best proceed with your case, depending on the circumstances of the crash.
The number one cause of big truck crashes is human error. According to the NHTSA, 94% of significant truck impacts result from mistakes made by the person driving the car, such as speeding, following too closely, failing to yield the right of way, improper lane changes, fatigue, and driving under the influence.
Distracted driving has become a significant factor in causing truck accidents. Distractions come in many forms, including cell phone use, eating, drinking, using GPS, and engaging in conversation. These distractions can have severe consequences, as they reduce reaction times, decrease awareness, and make it difficult for the driver to make split-second decisions while behind the wheel. That is why it is important to always drive defensively around large trucks and remain aware that their size and weight make them difficult to maneuver.
The most frequent type of vehicle accident in the trucking industry is rear-ending collisions. According to the NHTSA, more than 28% of truck-involved accidents in the US involve a rear-end collision. Rear-end collisions occur when a car strikes the back of another vehicle already stopped on the roadway.
Truck accidents are a serious concern for everyone on the roads, as these vehicles are often larger, heavier, and more difficult to maneuver than passenger cars. For this reason, a lawyer from Gregory Spektor & Associates can be an invaluable resource for truck accident victims.
We can provide legal advice and represent you throughout the process, from gathering evidence and filing paperwork to negotiating a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurer. We can also help you navigate the complexities of filing a personal injury claim so that you can focus on recovering physically and emotionally.
If you or someone you love is injured in a truck accident, let Gregory Spektor & Associates help you get your well-deserved compensation.
Call us today at 1 (888) 797-7735 for a free consultation.
