Truck Accidents: Precautions and Statistics
Truck accidents are an increasingly common fact of life. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), approximately 500,000 truck accidents take place across the country each year and many of these auto accidents involve much smaller cars and motorcycles. The sizes and weights of these trucks can cause serious damage -- almost 5,000 truck accident-related deaths each year. If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi accident or big rig accident, it is imperative that you receive adequate medical treatment and then reach out to an experienced truck accident lawyer.
Truck accident statistics
With all of the delivery trucks on the road in Los Angeles, it is no surprise that truck accidents are common.
- 68% of truck accident deaths were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles
- 14% of fatalities were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists.
- 1 in 8 traffic fatalities involves a truck collision
- Fatal tractor trailer accidents cost Americans more than $20 billion each year, $13.1 billion of which is the cost associated with loss of quality of life
If you were involved in any type of auto accident that was not your fault, you may be able to recover financial compensation with the assistance of a skilled accident attorney.
Trucking industry regulations
The trucking industry is highly regulated and truck drivers are required to observe numerous safety regulations, including placing underride guards and reflective tape on big rigs, to help prevent auto accidents. This does not mean trucking companies or their drivers always follow the law. The best accident lawyer will research whether all relevant laws and restrictions were adhered by both the truck driver and the owner of the truck, as negligence is no excuse for causing serious injuries to innocent victims.
When do trucking accidents happen?
Perhaps surprisingly, the majority of all truck accidents involving deaths occur during the day. Regardless of whether you are on the open road for work or for pleasure, it might be a good idea to follow these safe driving precautions:
- Be extra alert as you approach a large truck, they drive differently than sedans or even SUVs
- Avoid blind spots around trucks. One-third of all crashes between large trucks and cars take place in the truck’s blind spots.
- Do not cut in front of a large vehicle, including a truck.
- Remember that the brake time of a semi or big rig is much slower than that of a smaller vehicle.
- Give trucks at least 4-6 seconds of space in wet conditions and at highway speeds.
- Call authorities if you see unsafe driving.
Sometimes even the safest drivers are injured by negligent truck drivers. If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of truck accident, or if your loved one has died in a truck crash, reach out to a highly qualified personal injury lawyer today. Because of the complexities in truck crash cases, it is important to hire a legal team with experience handling big rig accidents claims. For a free, no obligation consultation, contact the experienced attorneys at Ghozland Law Firm today.
