The trucking industry transports goods across the country and brings in billions of dollars of revenue each year, yet the trucking company also causes a great deal of harm to others in truck accidents. In fact, estimates from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) show that nearly half a million truck crashes occur each year. Over 4,000 of these crashes cause at least one death, while approximately 100,000 such wrecks cause injuries to at least one person. Why do so many large truck crashes happen, and what can victims do to ensure they are compensated for their losses?
Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents
While there are many potential reasons why a truck accident may occur, many crashes could be prevented if truck drivers avoided certain behaviors. According to data from the FMCSA, the most common factors in tractor-trailer accidents include:
- Driver fatigue, including driver errors due to being overly tired
- Driver impairment due to alcohol or drug use
- Speeding, including driving too fast for the given weather and road conditions
At least one of these three causes was a factor in nearly 90 percent of commercial truck crashes. Other, less common factors including roadway maintenance issues, defective truck parts, and poor truck maintenance also contribute to serious and fatal truck wrecks.
Truck Accidents Can Be Extremely Complex
Though many accidents are attributed to driver negligence, a truck crash is often a very complicated matter. There can be multiple parties at fault, including a warehouse or loading company that does not properly secure a load of cargo, a driver error that is amplified by poor vehicle maintenance, or a failure by the trucking company to check drivers for regulation compliance, such as drug testing or monitoring of driving logs.
With so many moving parts that could impact the outcome of their case, it is important for truck accident victims to be patient and not simply accept the first offer made by the trucking company or an insurance company. Instead, the best course of action is to contact an experienced personal injury attorney for an analysis of their case. Doing so can ensure that a full investigation is done, and that all responsible parties are held accountable for their actions or inaction. It is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible because valuable evidence must be obtained and preserved quickly before it is lost or destroyed.
Contact a Wisconsin Personal Injury Lawyer
If you have been injured in a truck accident, or you lost a loved one in such a crash, contact an experienced Green Bay large truck wreck lawyer at Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd. Our team will fight to protect your best interests every step of the way. We will aggressively pursue full and fair compensation because your future is our top priority. To learn more about how we can help with your case, schedule a free consultation by calling 920-739-7366 today.
Sources:
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/large-truck-and-bus-crash-facts-2019
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/research-and-analysis/large-truck-crash-causation-study-analysis-brief