The sheer number of truck accidents in the United States and Florida make accidents with passenger cars likely. With 164,000 miles of the national highways, millions of semi-trucks weighing over 10,000 pounds drive with cars daily. Most truck drivers drive safely. But there’s always room for improvement when it comes to driving on the highways.
Large trucks often weigh 20-30 times more than cars. As a result, people in cars are most likely to die in crashes with trucks. In addition, trucks are taller, which means that smaller vehicles can slide beneath, often with deadly results.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,678 people died in 2018 in truck accidents. It was the fourth year of increases. Nearly 70% of those killed in truck accidents were in cars. Also, 15% of deaths were walking, on bicycles or riding motorcycles. In all, trucks were involved in 11% of all motor vehicle crash deaths.
Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents in the United States and Florida happen for many reasons. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the following are some of the most common issues:
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- Brake problems. Heavy tractor-trailers take 20-40 times longer to stop than a car. Poor road conditions or brake maintenance can make stopping more difficult.
- Traveling too fast for road conditions
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving, including alcohol and over-the-counter medication
- Reckless driving
- Driver fatigue is responsible for about 30% of all truck accidents. Federal rules only allow truck drivers to drive 11 hours straight, however drivers say that these are often not followed.
If You’ve Had Truck Accidents in the United States
When a truck accident happens to you, you feel like anything but a number. If you have been involved in an accident involving a large semi-truck, it is important to seek legal advice. An attorney can determine whether truck accidents in the United States were the result of driver or employer negligence. The attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz have nearly 60 years of legal experience dealing with personal injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.