January 12, 2025 | Car Accidents, Truck Accidents
In the U.S., there are nearly 40 million commercial vehicles registered to be driven. Estimates have the average number of trucks being driven on a given day to be over 19 million.
That’s a lot of trucks.
Obviously, commercial trucks are an essential part of the country’s economy and vital for businesses that rely on them to get supplies to stores or directly to customers. However, as with all types of vehicles, commercial trucks also carry a risk of accidents.
Operators of these large trucks must have special training and licenses; however, even the most experienced drivers can make mistakes or encounter unforeseen circumstances that result in truck accidents.
To explore this topic further, let’s take a look at some key considerations regarding commercial vehicle drivers and the risks they face behind the wheel so you are prepared should you ever be involved in a commercial vehicle accident.
Commercial vehicle driving is one of the most dangerous professions in the U.S. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is the profession with the highest rate of fatal injuries among all U.S. workers.
Truck accident statistics show the dangers of truck driving for both truck drivers and other automobile drivers on the road.
In 2020, 4,014 people were killed in automobile accidents involving large trucks.
That comes out to be over 11 people killed per day in truck accidents.
Many of these accidents are preventable. Commercial vehicle driving is dangerous for a variety of reasons. For example, the sheer size of the trucks involved can cause serious damage to other vehicles. Additionally, commercial vehicle drivers often face extreme weather conditions.
Some commercial vehicles are also used for long hauls, increasing a driver’s fatigue over time and leading to mistakes.
Some of the most common causes of commercial truck accidents include fatigue, bad weather, poorly maintained equipment, and distractions.
Distractions can cause truck drivers to make mistakes while behind the wheel. These distractions can include things like talking on the phone, texting, eating, or dealing with children in the cab. Unfortunately, many states have laws that ban only one or two of these distractions. Drivers who engage in more than one distracting activity at once can be especially dangerous.
These drivers are more likely to cause accidents.
Trucking companies should place a priority on preventing distractions among their drivers.
They can do so by monitoring their drivers’ behavior, providing on-site services such as childcare, or by using remote monitoring systems.
The risk of collisions is one of the biggest dangers of commercial vehicle driving.
A collision between a regular vehicle and a commercial vehicle can be extremely dangerous, particularly when it involves a large commercial vehicle. When a commercial vehicle collides with a regular vehicle, the regular vehicle often comes out on the losing side of the collision.
The regular vehicle is typically smaller than a commercial vehicle, so its passengers are likely to suffer more damage in the collision. Furthermore, commercial vehicles often cause fatalities in collisions with regular vehicles.
Commercial vehicles are generally expected to last a long time. Unfortunately, some commercial trucks have been found to have serious defects that make them dangerous for the general public.
To help prevent accidents due to defective trucks, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has created new regulations for how vehicles are inspected.
Additionally, manufacturers must notify the FMSCA if they find a defect in any of their vehicles. This enables the FMSCA to recall dangerous vehicles and ensure that they do not get driven on the roads.
Before purchasing a commercial vehicle, trucking companies should thoroughly inspect it. They should also conduct background checks on the vehicle’s previous drivers. Companies should have their vehicles regularly inspected by mechanics.
This will help identify potential problems before they become serious. Automobile insurance can help victims of truck accidents recover financially. Trucking companies should also have commercial vehicle insurance.
This coverage can help companies cover their legal obligations to victims in the event of a truck accident.
If you have been hurt in a truck accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
However, insurance companies may try to avoid paying you for your injuries.
Fortunately, a truck accident lawyer can help you receive the compensation you deserve.
A truck accident lawyer can help you with several aspects of recovering from a truck accident, including:
Commercial trucking insurance adjusters typically want to settle claims as quickly as possible.
They are often willing to offer generous settlements to injured victims.
A truck accident lawyer can help you negotiate or prompt the insurance company to offer you a better settlement.
Commercial vehicle driving is dangerous, but it can be even more so when the driver is not fully prepared.
It is important for companies that use commercial vehicles to take steps to reduce the risk of accidents caused by their own drivers or by other drivers on the road.
A truck accident lawyer can help you if you have been injured in an accident with a commercial vehicle.
They can help you gather evidence and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company.
Fill out the form below to schedule a free consultation with Craig
