Imagine that during a long but enjoyable family road trip, you find yourself stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic. You are several miles from the nearest city, and there are no road closures or bad weather in sight. So what is going on? As you creep along for the next several hundred yards, you finally spot the issue: a jackknifed 18-wheeler and a battered SUV in a nearby ditch. You have heard about large truck accidents on the news plenty of times, but you have never been this close to one—nor to the devastation it causes.
In that sobering moment, you are overcome with helplessness as there is nothing you can do but pray for the safety of everyone involved. You also cannot help but wonder how something so horrible could happen in the first place and if it could have been avoided.
Large truck accidents involving semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, cement trucks, car transporters, and other commercial trucks can be some of the most devastating and catastrophic accidents nationwide—including in the Quad Cities. They also happen more often than you think (In 2022, 5,837 large trucks were involved in a fatal crash in the United States) and typically involved a significantly smaller motor vehicle. Even if a truck accident does not lead to a fatality, the sheer size and weight of these vehicles cause astronomical damage in comparison to traditional car wrecks, resulting in severe injuries, long-term and permanent disabilities, and significant property damage.
Understanding the common causes and avoidance strategies for devastating large truck accidents can promote road safety, lower national statistics, and even help victims build stronger legal cases and achieve the best possible outcome in court.
What Are Some of the Top Causes of Large Truck Accidents in America?
While it is easy to point the finger at unsafe road conditions, reckless driving, and good old-fashioned bad luck, the reality is that there is a litany of reasons why large truck accidents continue to be such a major problem on the roadways.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Truck drivers often believe they own the road. Drivers of smaller vehicles do not want to be delayed by larger trucks. This can result in speeding, aggressive maneuvers like sudden lane changes, and the risk of not noticing smaller vehicles nearby. Since large trucks need more time and space to stop or maneuver, their drivers must adhere to speed limits and consider weather and road conditions. It is always wise to avoid traveling too closely to large trucks or in their blind spots. If you want to pass a truck, do so at a safe distance.
Distracted Driving
Distractions include texting, eating, talking on the phone, putting on makeup while driving, conversing with other passengers, letting your mind wander, and adjusting GPS settings. Any of these can lead an otherwise good truck driver to swerve into the adjacent lane, lose track of how fast they are going, or fail to stop in time. To prevent distracted driving from causing large truck accidents, all drivers (not just truck drivers) should avoid texting or talking on their phones. Instead, they should keep both eyes on the road and be aware of their surroundings. Truck companies can also implement policies that penalize distracted driving.
Driver Fatigue
Truck driver fatigue contributes to 30 to 40% of all heavy truck accidents. Those are staggering numbers but should not be surprising considering how often truck drivers work long hours to meet tight deadlines. In many cases, the truck driver next to you on a lonely highway has been behind the wheel for 24 hours or longer, thus impairing their reaction time, decision-making ability, and focus. To limit fatigue and the possibility of it causing a large truck accident, truck companies should demand drivers take regular breaks like everyone else on the road. Nearby drivers should also try their best to spot driver fatigue in nearby trucks and stay a safe distance away.
Poor Weather and Roadway Conditions
Rain, snow, ice, and fog reduce visibility and road traction. Construction zones make maneuvering large semis and 18-wheelers in tight spaces more challenging. Drivers of other vehicles also pose a threat due to driving responsibly in such conditions. The best way to avoid this common cause of large truck accidents is to avoid driving in bad weather or slow down and increase following distances.
Threats From Other Drivers
Many truck accidents are not due to the truck driver but rather other drivers’ irresponsible or distracted actions. Think about it. How often have you seen someone in a smaller vehicle speed around and cut off a slow-moving 18-wheeler? How many times have you seen a driver slam on their brakes unexpectedly or travel in a large truck’s blind spot unknowingly? The answer is probably a lot, which means other drivers are equally responsible for knowing how to ensure safety when sharing the road with trucks.
Improperly Loaded Cargo
Large trucks that are weighed down or transport improperly secured cargo can become unbalanced, leading to dangerous loads spilling onto the highway or the truck itself rolling over or blowing a tire due to the excess weight. Federal weight and cargo securement standards are in place for all large or heavy trucks on the road, and these loads should be routinely inspected before and during transport to ensure they are adequately distributed and secure.
Mechanical Failures
More large truck accidents than you think result from mechanical failures such as tire blowouts, steering issues, and brake failure. While it is easy to assume these are uncontrollable events, the driver or truck company could be at fault if they did not adhere to regular maintenance, inspections, pre- and post-trip checks, repairs, and other important safety checks.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a large truck accident, you need a personal injury attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve. We will work tirelessly to investigate your case, identify all responsible parties, and hold them accountable for your injuries and losses. We will also work with accident reconstruction specialists and other experts to build a strong case that supports your compensation claim. The bottom line is that you deserve compassionate and knowledgeable legal advice, and we are here to help.
Call Keys Law Offices Today!!
Large truck accidents can occur for various reasons, including fatigue, distracted driving, speeding, inadequate training, and drug and alcohol use. Sometimes, the truck company can be liable for the accident if it fails to maintain or inspect the truck properly or violates federal or state regulations. At Keys Law Offices, we are dedicated to representing victims of truck accidents and their families, including those involving semi-trucks.
We understand the complex legal and regulatory issues involved in truck accident cases, and we know how to investigate and litigate these cases to ensure that our clients get the compensation they deserve. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation.
Our staff is always available. Call us today!