How Common Are Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents are all too common. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were over 4,000 deaths resulting from large truck accidents in 2018. The IIHS also notes that of all truck-involved fatal accidents in 2018, the majority of those deaths included those in a smaller passenger vehicle, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
These are dangerous, potentially life-threatening accidents that can affect victims’ lives across the country and in New Hyde Park. If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident, then you may be entitled to seek compensation to help cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents, like any other kind of traffic accident, can be caused by a variety of contributory factors. However, these are some of the more common causes that may have resulted in the truck accident that left you hurt.
Drowsy Driving Truck Accidents
Often, truck drivers have to be on the road for long hours and even drive overnight in order to cover the distance their jobs require. Due to this, some truck drivers may drive while fatigued, which puts everyone else on the road at risk.
Drowsy drivers may have dulled reflexes and senses, and some may even nod off at the wheel entirely. Fatigue can have a similar effect on the body as alcohol, and fatigue can set in if the driver has been driving for too long or did not get enough sleep the night before.
According to our truck accident lawyer Garden City, victims of truck accidents caused by fatigue have several legal options to explore. Most of the times, people file insurance claims and hope for the best. However, a thorough investigation could reveal that the trucking company pressured or even forced their drivers to skip rest and sleep – thus violating state and federal regulations – so they could work more. In this case, a lawyer could help you sue the trucking company as well if its violations and negligence led to the accident.
Drunk Driving Truck Accidents
Drunk or drug-impaired truck drivers will have difficulty seeing and responding to situations on the road, including other drivers and pedestrians. Any driver under the influence is dangerous, but they can become especially deadly behind the wheel of a massive, heavy truck.
Visibility Issues
Trucks may struggle with visibility. They have larger blind spots than other vehicles due to their length, and truckers who sit higher on the road than other drivers may have a different range of vision of the road around them. The large size of the truck may also make it difficult to accurately gauge distance, potentially causing accidents if the trucker does not drive with care.
Visibility issues may only get worse under certain circumstances. Factors such as poor weather, inadequate lighting, missing reflective road signs or paint, and time of day can also impact a truck driver’s visibility.
Distracted Driving
Driving for long distances can become monotonous, but that is no excuse for distracted driving, especially when you are in control of a vehicle as large and dangerous as a truck. Distracted driving often involves digital distractions, like texting, calling, web browsing, and adjusting the GPS or radio. However, it can also involve anything else that takes the driver’s attention away from where it should be on the road.
Seek Compensation After a Truck Accident
If you were injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. To learn more about how common truck accidents are and to receive your free consultation, call the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP today at (866) 878-6774.
