Most Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents
There are way less cars on the road right now because of Coronavirus stay at home orders across the country. We know that car accidents overall are way down as a result, which is a positive benefit. Commercial truckers, however, are busier than ever bringing goods to market so the public can access groceries and other necessary supplies. While they are not competing with as many cars on the road as normal, commercial truck accidents will continue to be a risk. We won’t know commercial trucking accident statistics during COVID-19 restrictions until some time after we are through this so for now, let’s look at recent commercial truck accident statistics to get an idea of their common causes and where and when they are most likely to happen.
According to IIHS, most truck accident fatalities are occupants in passenger vehicles hit by the truck. If you were injured in a commercial trucking accident because of the negligence of another driver, seek the help of a truck accident lawyer. The truck accident attorney can assess your accident and injuries and discuss your legal rights. They may be able to help you recover damages several times what you could negotiate on your own.
What are the most common causes of commercial trucking accidents?
The most common factors involved in commercial truck driving accidents are preventable errors and behaviors on the part of drivers:
- Truck driver failing to yield the right of way
- Careless/reckless driving
- Improper lane usage
- Failure to obey traffic signs and signals
- Improper following
- Over-correcting the steering wheel
- Stopping in a roadway
- Erratic driving
- Improper lane change
- Improper turn
Commercial truck accident statistics
These statistics from IIHS.org provide some insight into commercial truck accidents in 2018:
- A total of 4,136 people died in large truck crashes. Sixteen percent of these deaths were truck drivers, 67 percent were passengers or drivers of cars and other passenger vehicles, and 15 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists.
- Sixty-two percent of large truck occupants killed in multiple-vehicle crashes were involved in collisions with another large truck.
- Eleven percent of all motor vehicle accident fatalities were involved in large truck crashes.
- Seventy-four percent of deaths in commercial truck crashes were accidents involving tractor-trailers while 27 percent of crashes involved single-unit trucks.
- Fifty-two percent of large truck crash fatalities happened on major roads other than interstates and freeways, 33 percent happened on interstates and freeways, and 14 percent were on minor roads. Rural areas experience the most commercial trucking accidents.
- Fifty percent of commercial truck accident deaths happened between the hours of 6 a.m. and 3 p.m., compared with 30 percent of crash deaths not involving large trucks.
Seek the help of a truck accident attorney
If you or a loved one was injured because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced truck accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
