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As you may know, commercial trucks are a vital component of everyday life in the United States. We are a nation of consumers, and all the goods we enjoy on a daily basis have to come from somewhere.
In fact, over 70% of all goods in the U.S. reach their destination on some type of truck.
With so many large trucks on America’s roads, accidents are bound to happen from time to time. Read on to learn five facts about semi-truck crashes you may not know.
#1 – When truck accident fatalities occur, it is typically the passenger car occupants who lose their lives.
A fully loaded commercial vehicle can weigh up to 80,000 pounds (lbs). By contrast, your passenger vehicle only weighs about 3,000-5,000 lbs.
As you may infer, a passenger vehicle doesn’t stand a chance against a massive semi-truck. It is for this reason that when trucks and cars collide, the occupants in the passenger vehicles are more likely to lose their lives.
#2 – A loaded semi-truck takes 40-50% more distance to stop than a passenger car.
Due to their massive size and weight, trucks take significantly longer than passenger cars to stop. This is why trucks must leave significantly more distance between their rigs and the vehicles ahead than cars do.
Keep in mind that the stopping distance discrepancy increases substantially on wet and slippery surfaces.
#3 – Truck drivers aren’t always to blame for the accidents they’re involved in.
In fact, 70% of truck accidents are caused by the actions of passenger vehicle drivers alone. By contrast, truck drivers alone cause 16% of the accidents they’re in, and both drivers contribute to accidents about 10% of the time.
#4 – About 10% of semi-truck crashes occur as a result of an issue with the vehicle.
Of the crashes that are caused by an issue with the vehicle, 29% of them are due to brake problems.
#5 – When truckers are responsible for crashes, it is most often due to driver error.
About 87% of the accidents truck drivers cause are due to some sort of error made by the trucker. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) lists four categories of errors, including:
- Non-Performance
- 12%
- Examples include when the driver falls asleep, becomes disabled by a medical condition, or is physically impaired for some other reason.
- 12%
- Recognition
- 28%
- Examples include when a driver is inattentive, becomes distracted by something within or outside the vehicle, or doesn’t properly observe the situation for another reason.
- 28%
- Decision
- 38%
- Examples include when a driver travels too fast for the road or weather conditions, miscalculates the speed of other vehicles, or follows behind other vehicles without enough distance.
- 38%
- Performance
- 9%
- Examples include when a driver panics, overcompensates, or exhibits inadequate directional control.
- 9%
We’re Here for Injured Semi-Truck Accident Victims
If you’ve been hurt in a semi-truck crash through no fault of your own, you may be owed compmensation for your injuries. Similarly, if your loved one lost their life in a truck accident that wasn’t their fault, you may be able to recover compensation to help your family financially recover from the loss.
Our team has helped many other people in similar situations and we will do everything we can to fight for justice on your behalf too.
Don’t delay—reach out to our skilled legal team right away with any questions you may have. We are ready and willing to help you now.
Contact Christie Farrell Lee & Bell today with the details of your case by calling 317-488-5500 or filling out our online contact form to learn more about how we can help.