Causes of Truck Accidents
There are numerous reasons behind a truck accident, from operator error to poor truck maintenance. One small misstep or oversight can set off a chain of events that changes a life forever. While 88 percent of truck accidents are caused by the driver, many reasons can factor in to play:
- Driver error, including texting, drug use, fatigue, and distracted driving
- Driver inexperience in handling a 25,000 pound truck
- Weather or road conditions
- Mechanical failures
- Poor maintenance, such as tire wear or defective steering
- Improper load distribution and improper trailer attachment
- Other factors
No matter the reason behind the crash, the result can be life-shattering. Victims face costly property damage to their vehicles, injuries that could impact their health and financial security in the long-term, and in the worst case scenario, the loss of life.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Columbus, call (877) 538-1116
Consult a Truck Accident Lawyer
Handling a truck accident isn’t the same as a passenger vehicle accident – there are numerous parties involved, including the driver, trucking company and insurance company – and the case can be incredibly complex. Securing compensation for injuries and damages is difficult unless you have an experienced truck accident attorney on your side.
The truck accident lawyers at Bressman Law can help you navigate the intricacies of your case to help you receive the compensation needed to cover medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and mental anguish.
When you hit the road, you take precautions to stay safe on the highways. In turn, you expect other drivers to do the same – especially the driver operating a commercial tractor-trailer.
Yet each year, commercial trucks are involved in more than 3,300 fatal truck accidents according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Because of the large size and weight of commercial trucks, passenger cars have little chance against them in an accident. In fact, fatalities caused by truck collisions are twice as high as those in passenger vehicle accidents.
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Truck Accident Statistics
Fatal truck accidents involving tractor-trailers are on the decline – dropping 25 percent between 2001 and 2011 – due in part to the work of advocacy groups, the families and victims of truck accidents, and truck accident attorneys like those at Bressman Law. Because of their efforts to make the roads safer, laws have become stricter, punishments for distracted driving more severe, and operator training more stringent.
However, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports there were still more than 3,341 fatal truck accidents in the U.S., stealing the lives of 3,757 victims and injuring more than 88,000 victims. According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, in 2012 alone, there were 92 fatal crashes involving large trucks in the state, and 1,720 Ohioans were injured in truck accidents.
In the majority of cases, it’s the innocent victim, not the driver, who suffers the most. While truck accidents are on the decline, they are often the deadliest accidents on the road due to the size and weight of most trucks. The American Trucking Associations reports that 1 percent of truck crashes result in a fatality compared to 0.5 percent of car crashes. In addition, 76 percent of fatalities occurred to someone outside the truck while 15 percent were the large truck occupants.
Other truck accident statistics according to the FMCSA:
- Large trucks represent 8 percent of all vehicles in fatal crashes
- The top five driver-related factors in fatal truck accidents were – speeding, distracted driving, impairment, failure to keep in the proper lane, and obscured vision.
- 2.5 percent of operators involved in a truck accident have alcohol in their system
- 72 percent of fatal truck crashes involve a collision with another motor vehicle
- Faulty brakes and tires account for more than 50 percent of truck accidents caused by maintenance issues
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Working with Bressman Law in Columbus
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident and suffered life-changing injuries – or even loss of life – the truck accident lawyers at Bressman Law in Columbus can help secure the remedies needed to help in your family’s recovery. We have fought for numerous victims of truck accidents and continue to work toward ensuring safer highways for every driver and passenger. To speak with a truck accident attorney, contact us at 614-379-6669 for a free consultation.
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