What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

 Posted on December 30, 2019 in Personal Injury

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were approximately 450,000 police-reported traffic accidents involving large trucks in 2017. Of these documented crashes, roughly 344,000 resulted in at least one person experiencing some sort of personal injury. Due to the large size of semi-trucks and tractor-trailers, if an injury or wrongful death does result from a truck accident, the victim is often the individual that is in the opposing vehicle. As of recently, there has been an increased effort placed on determining what can cause these dangerous crashes and how they can be prevented. Financial compensation may be awarded to the victim of an auto collision.

Critical Events

Among the many variables that can lead a truck accident, the actions or factors that make an auto collision unavoidable are known as critical events. According to the FMCSA, there are three types of critical events that are most commonly involved in collisions:

• Running out of the travel lane
• Loss of vehicle control due to shifting cargo, systems failure, or traveling at unsafe speeds
• Colliding with the rear end of another vehicle in the truck’s travel lane

Critical Reasons

Simply put, the critical reason for a truck accident is the immediate explanation of the critical event. Driver error, vehicle failure, or environmental conditions could be the explanation behind a crash. In many cases, the cause of the critical event can be related to a decision that was made by the driver, such as speeding or tailgating. The FMCSA categorizes a critical reason as:

• Performance: Driver panic or loss of vehicle control
• Non-performance: Falling asleep or being physically disabled (heart attack, stroke, etc.) at the wheel
• Recognition: Distracted or inattentive driving
• Decision: A misjudged situation, such as distance between vehicles or speed limit

Associated Factors

There are dozens of other factors that have also been linked to large truck crashes. For example, the FMCSA found that the most common elements present during large truck crashes include:

• Brake problems
• Prescription, over-the-counter, or illicit drug use
• Driver fatigue
• Traffic congestion
• Roadway problems
• Traveling at inappropriate speeds

Consult a Bloomingdale, IL Personal Injury Attorney

Truck crashes are some of the most dangerous and deadly incidents that take place on the road. If you have been in a collision with a semi-truck, you should talk with a skilled DuPage County truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. At the Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices, our experienced team will work tirelessly to help you receive the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call our office today at 630-932-9100.