Pickup trucks are involved in hundreds of thousands of crashes on American roads each year. In fact, an estimated 388,000 truck accidents are recorded annually in the United States. These crashes often lead to catastrophic injuries and fatalities, especially for occupants of smaller passenger vehicles.
Understanding the top causes of truck accidents can help drivers stay safe on the road. Furthermore, knowing your legal options if you are the victim of a truck crash is critical.
Driver Fatigue
One of the leading culprits in truck crashes is driver fatigue. Professional truck drivers often travel long distances and work irregular schedules. This grueling routine can take a major toll, resulting in drowsiness behind the wheel. Fatigued truckers may have slow reaction times, reduced vigilance, and impaired decision-making.
Tragically, driver fatigue contributes to around 100,000 crashes every year across all vehicle types. Maintaining proper rest is essential for truckers to avoid disastrous mistakes on the highway. Victims of fatigue-related truck crashes can consult truck accident attorneys to determine if the trucker or their employer should be liable.
Tire Defects
Faulty tires are another major factor in truck accidents, involved in nearly one-third of all truck-related crashes. Unlike passenger vehicles, pickup trucks and 18-wheelers place intense force on tires due to heavy loads. Blowouts and loss of control can occur when truck tires are underinflated, punctured, worn, or defectively designed. Tire manufacturers may be considered negligent if their products are unreasonably dangerous.
High Speeds
Excessive speeding is a leading killer on America’s roads. The incredible size and weight of pickup trucks mean higher speeds result in elevated crash forces. Loss of control is also more likely with faster-moving trucks. Furthermore, truck brakes are stressed at high speeds, lengthening stopping distances. Slower reaction times due to distraction or impairment amplify the dangers of speeding trucks. Drivers should maintain safe traveling speeds based on road, traffic, vehicle, and weather conditions.
How Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
Large truck accidents increased by 26% from 2020 to 2021 with Texas seeing the most number of crashes. However, nowhere in America is risk-free. If you or a loved one has been harmed in a truck crash, an experienced truck accident attorney can protect your rights.
Truck accident lawyers have intricate knowledge of federal trucking regulations and liability laws. They can conduct rigorous crash investigations, consult trucking safety experts, and pinpoint liability among multiple parties, like truck drivers, trucking companies, automakers, and component suppliers.
Truck accident attorneys can also calculate and seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and wrongful death damages. Most work on a contingency fee basis, only collecting payment if they secure a settlement or court award. With compassionate counsel and tireless representation, truck accident lawyers help victims and families recover and rebuild their lives after catastrophic truck crashes.
Staying alert to hazards like driver fatigue, tire problems, and speeding can help reduce pickup truck crashes. However, even careful truck drivers cannot prevent every collision. Truck accident attorneys are advocates for those impacted by truck crashes. Their legal experience, resources, and determination can make all the difference in obtaining fair compensation after a devastating truck accident.
