Truck accidents can be caused by any number of human and non-human factors. Interestingly, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) reports that nearly 90 percent of truck crashes are caused by people's negligence, recklessness or carelessness, examples of which include:
- Being distracted and not focusing on the road
- Driving recklessly
- Driving while fatigued (Research shows that driver's fatigue can be just as dangerous as driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol)
- Driving while intoxicated
- Driving without the proper training
- Failing to properly secure cargo loads
- Violating traffic laws
Non-human factors that can cause truck collisions include:
- Animals or debris in the road
- Bad weather
- Defective vehicle equipment
- Poor signage, lighting and general road conditions
- Poor visibility
Statistics Regarding Truck Accident Causes
Each year in the U.S., truck accidents cause 5,000 fatalities and 130,000 injuries, costing the public more than $20 billion in medical bills, property damage and lost wages. According to the USDOT and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- About 75 percent of all trucking accidents are caused by the drivers of smaller passenger vehicle cars, rather than the truck driver
- Nearly 30 percent of all truck crashes are caused by driver fatigue
- While truck driver intoxication is only responsible for 1 percent of fatal truck accidents, intoxication of a passenger vehicle driver causes as much as 22 percent of all traffic accidents
- Approximately 14 percent of all fatal truck accidents were caused by vehicle rollovers
Injuries Caused by Truck Collisions
Factors such as the point of impact, the speed and weight of the vehicles, and whether seat belts were being worn will all influence the severity of injuries (and deaths) that occur in a truck crash. Although no injuries occur in nearly 70 percent of trucking accidents (only property is damaged), when they do occur, truck wreck injuries may include:
- Broken bones
- Bruising, lacerations and
- Burns
- Disfigurement
- Loss of limb
- Loss of vision, hearing or sensation
- Paralysis
- Permanent scarring or disabilities
- Spinal or neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
Truck Accident Attorneys Are Here to Help
If you or a loved one is injured in a truck accident, or you if you lost a loved one to a truck crash, you will likely be entitled to a settlement for your injuries, pain and losses. Prospective plaintiffs can learn more about their legal rights and get a thorough evaluation of their case by attending a complimentary consult with an experienced truck accident lawyer. For more information about your potential case, contact our truck accident lawyers today.
