Can you guess the most common causes of big rig accidents? Do you know how many of these accidents there are, or what kinds of injuries are most common from these accidents? Keep reading for the statistics. If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
The Number of Big Rig Accidents Each Year
According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA), there are about 420,000 accidents each year involving large trucks. This might seem like a lot, but consider that there are more than 15 million large trucks transporting goods through the country every year. Then it is easy to see why there are so many truck accidents.
Common Causes of Large Truck Accidents
One of the major causes of large trucks is their huge blind spots. With so much space around them that the driver cannot see, accidents are bound to happen. The good news is that there have been significant breakthroughs in blind-spot warning systems for trucks, which has helped reduce these types of accidents.
On the other hand, they are far from the only cause of large truck accidents. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the most common causes of truck accidents are driver fatigue, lack of training, defective parts, speeding, aggressive driving, overloaded or improperly loaded cargo, and brake failure.
Common Injuries in Large Truck Accidents
A collision involving a large truck is much more likely to cause an injury for one simple reason: large trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while a passenger vehicle weighs as little as 3,000 pounds. As a result, passenger vehicles can be easily destroyed.
Some of the most common injuries in these large truck accidents include neck and back injury, broken bones, spinal cord injury, internal injury, and death.
Reduce Your Chance of Being Involved in a Truck Accident
There are a few steps you can take to reduce your chance of being injured in a truck accident. First, make sure you do not drive while impaired and do not drive while distracted. Wear your seatbelt, avoid driving in the blind spots of a truck, and do not speed. Remember that if you are traveling faster than the traffic around you, your chances of being involved in a car accident are nearly three times greater.
What to Do If You Are Involved in a Truck Accident
If you are injured in a truck accident, contact a personal injury attorney to find out what your options are. You can contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation to determine whether you have grounds for a personal injury case.
