Commercial trucking is extremely important to California’s economy, and due to the high number of big trucks on the state’s roads, accidents are all too common. A collision involving a commercial vehicle, on the other hand, can be devastating.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, around 4,000 people die each year in truck accidents. In 2019, more than 4,110 people died in truck accidents, which was a 31% increase compared to numbers from just a decade ago.
Understanding why commercial vehicle collisions occur is important in order to continue to minimize the frequency and severity of these collisions.
Common types of truck accidents
There are certain types of truck accidents that are more dangerous than others. They include:
- Rear-end collisions. These occur when a truck collides with a vehicle in front of it or is struck from behind.
- Right roadside departures. In an emergency, the truck must make an evasive move that pushes it off the road. The truck is generally the only vehicle involved in these collisions.
- Sideswipes. This type of collision occurs when one vehicle collides with another driving in the same or opposite direction.
- Head-on crashes. The deadliest form of collision occurs when one car crosses a median and collides with oncoming vehicles.
- Rollovers. These rare forms of truck accidents occur when the vehicle topples over on its side due to strong winds or abrupt maneuvers.
Accidents can be classified into four categories:
- Tire blowouts. These are responsible for 5% of truck collisions, while other mechanical problems are responsible for 6%.
- Cargo shift. A rapid shift in the weight leads the driver to lose control of the vehicle in 8% of truck accidents.
- Unsafe speed. This is a role in 58 percent of truck collisions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Failure to detect a danger or risk, as well as making a bad judgment on whether to change lanes, are further faults in the driver’s performance.
- Other vehicles’ risky maneuvers. When sharing the road with commercial trucks, motorists frequently make poor driving judgments. Due to the truck’s long blind spot, sluggish braking, and broad turning, car drivers are unaware of how the truck will react to their vehicle in traffic.
The more you know about what causes truck accidents, the better equipped you will be to keep yourself and your loved ones safe on the road.
If you have questions regarding your rights following a commercial vehicle accident, The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker can assist you. To book a free consultation call 800-333-0000 or contact us online.
