Many regulations and rules surround commercial trucking in America, but this doesn’t prevent truck accidents from occurring. Often, truck accidents result in hundreds of thousands of injuries and thousands of fatalities each year.
Additionally, many don’t realize that 74 percent of all fatal passenger vehicle accidents involve trucks. If you or someone that you care for has been injured in a car accident, we can assist you during your time of need. Our Firm has helped clients with car and trucking accident lawsuits for years, with many successes. Don’t fight the battle on your own, as trucking accidents can be complicated but navigable with the right experience on your side.
Truck Types Commonly Involved in Truck Accidents
Big rigs are not the only types of trucks involved in road accidents, even though they are usually the most recognizable. In many instances, many other different truck types can be involved in a trucking accident. If you would like to find out the various classifications, you can look at the brief list below.
- Flatbed trucks: Flatbeds are easily recognizable for their open trailer beds. These trucks are often loaded, and when an accident occurs, the cargo spills out onto the roadway. Frequently, the cargo spillage can result in a multi-vehicle trucking accident, with many people involved sustaining severe injuries. On highways, most people cannot swerve to avoid spilled cargo, which is why multi-pile accidents occur.
- Tanker trucks: In most cases, tanker trucks carry different forms of liquid, such as petrol or oil, and often these substances are highly flammable. When a tanker truck has been involved in an accident, it can lead to devastating consequences, as a fire is likely to occur. During these accidents, there are usually explosions, and victims often suffer burns.
- Garbage and dump trucks: In cities and residential areas, accidents involving dump trucks or garbage trucks are frequent. This is because dump and garbage trucks have reduced visibility due to many blind spots. Unfortunately, when an accident occurs with these types of trucks, it often results in injuries and extensive property damage. Additionally, these trucks are frequently involved in accidents involving pedestrians and bicycles.
The Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Ultimately, there are many different causes for trucking accidents in the United States, including in Nashville and Tennessee. Among the multiple possible reasons, a few common causes stand out from the rest. Should you have been involved in a trucking accident, it would be beneficial to contact a lawyer who can guide you towards what to do next. We have listed these causes below with a brief explanation of each.
- Distracted truck driving: As is the case with car accidents, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of truck accidents in America. Any activity that can be associated with taking a driver’s attention away from the road is considered distracted driving. For example, checking social media platforms, texting, taking phone calls, or checking one’s emails are all considered forms of distracted driving.
- Truck driver fatigue: Truck drivers often work incredibly long hours, which can lead to driver fatigue. A career in trucking is frequently fraught with highly stressful situations and a pressured environment. After a while, this takes its toll on many drivers. Many drivers complete long trips in a short amount of time with little rest or breaks. With long journeys and limited sleep, truck drivers become weary, lose concentration, or even fall asleep, resulting in trucking accidents.
- Truck drivers taking drugs or alcohol: According to a relatively recent study, approximately 30 percent of truck drivers have admitted to taking amphetamines, with about 20 percent admitting to marijuana use, while 3 percent admitted to cocaine use. This shocking study uncovered how truck drivers take these drugs or consume alcohol to stay alert while driving long hours without sleep. However, eventually, the drugs and alcohol wear off, or a driver reacts badly to the substances, and this results in an accident.
- Unsafe cargo loading: In the trucking industry, every cargo load must adhere to a certain height, weight limit, size, length, and width. In cases where a truck is transporting hazardous materials, the cargo regulations are even more strict. Unsafe cargo loadings can lead to severe accidents, especially when a big rig overturns or is involved in a collision with multiple vehicles.
- Unsafe driving practices: In many trucking accidents, the incident has occurred because of a truck driver speeding or disregarding road rules and regulations. The pressure and stress associated with deadlines often cause drivers to bend the rules and speed to get to their delivery destination on time. Speeding trucks are a significant cause of many accidents that result in injuries.
Our Injury Attorneys Guide You Through Your Truck Accident Claim
Most times, truck accidents are severe and can often be catastrophic. If you’re an unfortunate victim of a trucking accident and were seriously injured, you are likely under immense emotional, physical, and financial strain. Our attorneys can assist you in attaining the compensation you deserve. Should you decide to initiate a lawsuit for a truck accident, you can contact a Nashville truck accident lawyer for a free case evaluation.
