With several thousand injury-causing and fatal collisions involving commercial trucks taking place each and every year, truck accidents are a major problem throughout the United States. In fact, data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that more than 105,000 commercial truck accidents occurred in 2020 alone.
While the causes of truck accidents vary widely, there are a few common factors that can increase the odds of a crash, such as driver distraction, fatigued driving, improper training, inadequate vehicle maintenance, and inclement weather. Although in some circumstances, some of these factors are unavoidable, an overwhelming majority of commercial truck accidents are the result of driver negligence.
Understanding how truck accidents happen is essential to reducing the frequency with which they occur.
Accident Statistics By Truck Type
Truck accidents differ by not just the type of accident, but the kind of truck involved as well. However, collisions involving box trucks, tractor-trailers, cement mixers, garbage trucks, flatbeds, auto-haulers, and other types of commercial trucks all have one thing in common; they can all cause serious injury and death.
Tractor-Trailers
Accidents involving tractor-trailers make up about 4% of all fatal vehicle collisions nationwide every year. In 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that roughly 1,500 people were killed in tractor-trailer crashes, and another 70, 000 sustained some degree of injury.
Dump Trucks
Over the past ten years, accidents involving dump trucks have increased dramatically. Statistics show that approximately 1,700 people have met their end in dump truck accidents every year since 2011.
Sanitation Trucks
Although accidents involving sanitation trucks are somewhat rare when compared to tractor-trailer accidents, they still comprise 25% of all commercial truck accidents annually.
Fire Engines
Fire engines can weigh as much as 60,000 pounds fully loaded, so accidents involving these gigantic vehicles frequently result in serious injuries and deaths. NHTSA data shows that somewhere around 500 people are injured in fire engine accidents every year.
To lower your risk of being involved in an accident with a fire truck, always stay vigilant when you see one on the roadway, and always yield the right-of-way if you see one approaching.
Wreckers
While wreckers typically do not operate at high speeds since they are typically hauling other vehicles, crashes involving these bulky trucks can still be extremely dangerous. In 2022 alone, more than 200 people were killed in tow truck accidents.
Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents
The most common causes of commercial truck accidents in the United States are:
Driver Fatigue
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently reported that driver fatigue is a main contributing factor in about 40% of all commercial truck accidents.
When truck operators are sleep-deprived, but remain behind the wheel, they commonly experience driver fatigue. Delayed reaction times, an inability to focus, and impaired judgment can all put truck operators and those around them in dangerous situations.
Federal safety regulations state that commercial truck operators are prohibited from driving more than 11 consecutive hours without stopping for a 10-hour rest break.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is the number one cause of all motor vehicle accidents. According to the FMCSA, distracted driving is the cause of 22% of all commercial trucking accidents. Distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver’s hands off the wheel, eyes off the road, or mind off of safe driving, such as texting, making phone calls, drinking, eating, personal grooming, and even talking to passengers.
Improper Loading
Trailers that are not properly loaded can make it difficult for truck drivers to maintain control of their vehicles or cause them to overturn during sharp turns or sudden maneuvers. Uneven weight distribution can also decrease a truck driver’s ability to safely handle their rig, increasing the risk of an accident. Loads must be distributed evenly and secured according to safety protocols in order to avoid rollover accidents and other problems.
Speeding
Another factor that is a huge contributor to serious trucking accidents is speeding. Given their immense weight and size, commercial trucks require a considerable amount of room to come to a complete stop. So traveling even a few miles per hour over the posted speed limit can have severe consequences.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving behaviors can range from making dangerous lane changes to tailgating. Aggressive driving increases the odds of an accident due to a truck’s inability to brake quickly and limited maneuverability.
Inclement Weather
Inclement weather like snow, rain, ice, and fog can greatly limit a truck’s traction as well as the driver’s visibility, and increase its already considerable braking distance, all of which can lead to accidents.
Inadequate Maintenance
Truck drivers and the freight companies that employ them are required to routinely inspect their vehicles and ensure they receive any regular or needed maintenance. When freight companies are negligent in this duty, they could be held liable for any resulting accidents. Inadequate truck maintenance can lead to brake failure, tire blowouts, engine failure, and steering problems. Even an infraction as seemingly trivial as failing to refill the windscreen wiper fluid can contribute to an accident. Negligent maintenance is a common cause of commercial truck accidents; one that can be easily prevented with due care.
Driving Under the Influence
Just like drivers of passenger vehicles, truck drivers are prohibited from getting behind the wheel after consuming drugs or alcohol. A report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2018 states that 33% of all fatal truck collisions involve a driver who is under the influence.
Insufficient Driver Training
Nearly 30% of all truck accidents are caused by drivers with little to no training or drivers who were operating a rig without a commercial driver’s license. Freight companies are required to ensure that their truck operators are appropriately trained and licensed before they hire them.
How Can Commercial Truck Accidents Be Prevented?
To help prevent commercial truck accidents, all drivers should always be aware of their surroundings and be sure to keep a safe distance from other vehicles. It is also important for truck operators to obey the speed limit at all times, obey all traffic signals, and road signage, and follow the rules of the road.
Trucks need to be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure that all components are in proper working order. In addition to this, truck drivers should make sure they get ample rest as outlined by the FMCSA regulations so they don’t become drowsy behind the wheel.
If you were injured through no fault of your own and are seeking qualified legal representation, contact the nationwide truck accident lawyers at Local Accident Reports as soon as possible. Call us at (888) 657-1460 to schedule your free consultation.