According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 4,136 people died in large truck accidents in 2018. This number does not include injuries, only deaths. The breakdown of fatalities is as follows:
- 67% were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles,
- 16% of these deaths were truck occupants,
- 15% were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists.
There are several common reasons for truck accidents:
- Truck drivers are spending too much time on the road. By law, truck drivers cannot drive for more than a specific number of hours. However, there are times when truck drivers exceed their maximum drive time.
- Break response time in a truck is not the same as that of a smaller passenger vehicle. Trucks take longer to come to a stop, and therefore, drivers need anticipate this lag, and be prepared accordingly.
- Cargo can cause uneven weight distribution and can shift during a drive, causing an off-balance truck, which is more susceptible to crash.
Passenger vehicle occupants generally fare worse than truck occupants, for obvious reasons. Small vehicles simply do not weigh enough, are not strong enough and are not large enough to withstand the force of a large truck. To avoid a truck accident, drive defensively, not aggressively. And during these winter months, try to avoid traveling during stormy conditions when possible.
Certain accidents however are unavoidable, and it is important to know that there are rules and regulations which govern truck drivers, trucking companies and the insurance policies that apply to them.
If you or a loved one has been in a truck accident, call our truck accident attorneys for a FREE consultation at 855-822-6783 (toll free) OR use the Contact Us Today pop-up form on the bottom right side of your screen. The attorneys at Rizio, Hamilton & Kane will be able to advise you about truck accidents, your rights and how to proceed with your possible case.
Rizio, Hamilton & Kane, P.C. (855) 822-6783 toll free or local (215) 567-1900
