Truck accidents, particularly those involving 18-wheelers, cause serious injury and death. Nearly 16 million trucks are registered in California, and statistics show that nearly 400 were involved in fatal accidents last year, while nearly 13,000 were involved in non-fatal crashes. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is part of the Department of Transportation, truck driver error accounts for approximately 90% of accidents. Studies of the agency categorize four driver performance criteria that lead to truck accidents.

• Recognition: When a driver fails to recognize or observe a road obstruction or changing driving conditions.
• Non-performance: When a driver falls asleep, suffers a medical condition such as a seizure or heart attack, or is otherwise impaired physically.
• Decision: When the driver makes a faulty decision by following too closely, failing to properly judge the speed of other vehicles, or driving too fast given the weather and road conditions.
• Performance: When the driver overcompensates, panics or for some other performance- related reason loses control of the truck.

Factors contributing to truck accidents include the following:

Driver Fatigue – Driver fatigue is a common cause of accidents. Driving long hours and pushing to meet delivery deadlines can result in driver fatigue. A fatigued driver may have reduced situational awareness and impaired judgment and reaction time.

Mechanical Failures – Brake failures, worn tires, broken headlights and brake lights, and other mechanical errors can cause truck accidents. Sometimes these mechanical failures result from poor maintenance.  Other times, they could be due to a manufacturing defect. 

Roadway Causes of Accidents – Often, poor road maintenance is the cause of truck accidents. Poor design is also a frequent cause. Inclement weather can consist of flooding, rain, and snow, all of which contribute to truck accidents. 

Distracted Driving – Distracted driving has become a major problem on the roads. Texting, talking on the phone, eating while driving, and similar types of distractions result in many truck-related accidents each year.   

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s important to identify which party or parties were responsible. The parties could include:

• The trucking company
• The truck manufacturer
• The loading company

Contact The Law Offices of Earl E. Conaway, III

If you’ve been injured in an accident by a truck, it’s important to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. In most cases, the statute of limitations to bring a claim against the responsible party is two years. Here at the Law Offices of Earl E. Conaway, lll we have many years of experience helping our clients receive the compensation they deserve. If you or your loved one has been injured due to another party’s negligence, contact us today for a free consultation.