Truck driving is one of the most dangerous professions today. Just a few years ago, truck driving was considered the deadliest profession according to Fox Business. While truck driving is certainly dangerous for the driver, truck accidents account for one of the highest numbers of road accident fatalities in the United States. Since larger trucks are usually loaded with heavy cargo, a slight mistake while driving can create great danger for all drivers. Even a small minor misjudgment could result in the loss of both property and even life. While we can’t predict when accidents will occur, we can educate ourselves on truck driving regulations, injuries, and causes so we can be alert when driving alongside trucks.
While the average motor vehicle weighs around 2.5 tons, a truck filled with cargo can weigh anywhere between 40 to 50 tons. With that said trucks with a significant amount of cargo require a significantly longer stopping distance and time than the average vehicle. This implies that accidents are more likely to occur with trucks than with regular cars due to the longer stopping time. As you can imagine, there are more accidents involving trucks. The CDC reported that about 65% of on-the-job deaths of truck drivers were caused due to crashes and road accidents. Just a few years ago in 2020, there were over 415,000 road accidents involving large trucks.
Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Unfortunately, truck and motor vehicle accidents are on the rise. The World Health Organization (WHO) created an initiative from 2021 to 2030 with the goal of “preventing at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.” But why are truck accidents on the rise? Well, while there are countless causes for truck accidents, the most common are believed to be driver-critical errors, vehicle-critical errors, and environmental causes. Driver-critical errors include driving too fast, drug use, unfamiliarity with roadways, fatigue from long drives, stress or pressure, distractions, and illegal maneuvers. On the other hand, the vehicle critical error includes malfunction from within the vehicle such as brake failure or tire problems. Environmental causes for accidents are typically attributed to highway conditions like traffic and weather.
With driver critical errors in mind, regulations for truck drivers have been created in hopes of protecting the safety of the drivers and other motorists on the road. For example, truck drivers are only allowed to drive for 14 hours on the road each day. In addition, they are required to take rest breaks and are not allowed to drive more than 60 to 70 hours consecutively within 7 to 8 days. These regulations are designed to ensure that drivers are not too exhausted that they are unable to operate a vehicle safely. Each state has specific speed limits and regulations concerning cargo.
When truck drivers ignore these safety precautions, they are not only putting their safety at risk, but they are risking the safety of other motorists on the road. Due to the large nature of trucks, accidents involving trucks typically result in serious injuries and complications, and sometimes fatalities.
Pennsylvania Truck Accident Attorneys
If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident and are seeking assistance from an attorney, reach out to Dougherty Leventhal and Price today! We’re ready to fight for you! Remember… Injury? Call DLP. (570) C-A-L-L-D-L-P.
Source
“Truck Accident Statistics, Data & Reports *updated 2023*.” Data & Reports *Updated 2023*, 26 June 2023, www.truckaccidentattorneynetwork.org/truck-accident-statistics/.
