Injuries and deaths from accidents involving large trucks have been on the rise over the past decade. Large trucks are vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds. The number of large trucks involved in fatal accidents varies from state to state.
According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 4,761 people killed in truck accidents across the United States in 2017. Of those killed, 72% were occupants of the other vehicle in the crash.
Causes Of Truck Accidents
Large truck accidents might be caused by either the truck driver or the driver of another vehicle. Errors made by drivers of other, smaller vehicles can often become fatal errors when a large truck is involved. For example, when drivers enter the “no zones” while driving near a large truck, they put themselves, their passengers and others on the road at risk, as large truck drivers can have difficulty seeing the other vehicle. “No zones” include blind spots on larger trucks where the driver cannot see smaller vehicles. Further, it is better to always pass a large truck the driver side so the driver can see your vehicle at all times.
Truck drivers can also cause accidents when they speed, lack proper training, are distracted or are under the influence as they drive. Additionally, truck drivers often experience fatigue while driving and may nod off while driving, causing a crash.
If you are in an accident with a semi-truck and suffer injuries, you may need to involve an attorney.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
