Four Top Reasons Truck Accidents Happen – AutoAccident.com
I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno truck accident lawyer. Truck accidents are common in California, particularly in those areas where there is high interstate traffic. This takes a devastating toll on occupants in passenger vehicles as they share the road with big trucks.
Incidence of Accidents Involving Big Trucks
In 2015, 3,852 individuals were killed in accidents with big rigs, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Sixty-nine percent of those killed were individuals riding in passenger vehicles, while only 16 percent were truck occupants. Compared to figures from 2009, the number of fatalities was 22 percent higher. This extends to the number of truckers who were killed by a factor of 34 percent. Yet, if a truck and a passenger vehicle crash, the individuals killed in the passenger vehicles are about 97 percent of the time.
Truck Accidents Around Fresno
Fresno is the geographical center of California with a rich agricultural history. Several major highways service the area, including Highway 99, State Route 180, one of the most heavily traveled roads in the San Joaquin Valley, Interstate 5 and State Route 41. Trucks haul goods to market every day. Unfortunately, due to the sheer numbers, many accidents happen. Knowing why crashes occur and determining ways to stop them will help the community stay safe.
Driver Error
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, driver error is a critical reason accidents happen. It can be broken down into four categories. These are:
- Non-Performance: This involves issues that do not reflect the driver’s performance such as as fatigue due to being in violation of the hours-of-service rules and medical conditions.
- Faulty decisions: This includes imperfect choices a trucker makes that can lead to an accident such as speeding, estimating the wrong distance or speed of another vehicle or tailgating.
- Recognition: In this category, a driver may be inattentive or distracted by something in the vehicle or on the roadway. Some examples are: talking or texting on a cell phone, using a GPS system, eating or writing in a log.
- Performance: Acts such as overcorrecting after leaving the road or losing control for a preventable reason are frequently the cause of performance issues.
Failure of Truck Equipment
This is the second biggest reason truck accidents occur. It includes: brake failure, lack of maintenance, defective tires and inadequate safety devices. Truckers are required to inspect their vehicle prior to leaving on a trip. Truck owners must set up a regular maintenance schedule aside from pre- and post-trip inspections. Failing to inspect and maintain trucks along with making sure that any recalls of equipment are quickly addressed cause many accidents and are a source of liability.
Road Conditions
Roadway conditions are another cause of truck accidents. Being prepared by mapping out a route is one way of lessening the chance of an accident. Another is keeping abreast of weather conditions since wet or slippery roads can make it more likely that accidents will happen such as rear ending another vehicle or overturning.
Improper Loading and Tying Down Cargo
It is vital that trucks are loaded appropriately. For example, loading cargo unevenly can cause a truck to veer off the road on a curve, ending in rollover accident. The FMCSA has strict rules about how to secure cargo. If the rules are not followed, cargo can fall off the truck and be the cause of roadway accidents due to debris.
Fresno Truck Accident Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, a Fresno truck accident lawyer. Truck accidents can be devastating, especially for those in smaller vehicles. When you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury due to a trucker’s mistakes or when someone you love is dead because of such negligence, you need the experience an injury lawyer can provide. I am here to offer free and friendly advice. Just reach out by calling (559) 377-7676 locally or (800) 404-5400 outside the immediate area. Fill out an online contact form if that is easier.
I have helped many Fresno residents and those in areas all over Northern California for more than 35 years in cases involving a car accident, amputation, brain injury or wrongful death.
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