Why Truck Accidents Are So Deadly

Stories about truck accidents almost always seem to include details about life-altering injuries or fatalities. But what exactly makes truck accidents so deadly compared to other types of auto accidents? 

Truck Accident Statistics

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the federal government agency responsible for regulating commercial trucks, in one recent year there were over half a million crashes involving large trucks reported to law enforcement. Of these accidents, about five thousand involved fatalities, but nearly 30 percent of accidents resulted in injuries. About 57 percent of fatal truck accidents occurred in rural areas, while 25 percent of fatal crashes occurred on interstate highways. Thirty-six percent of fatal accidents and 22 percent of injury crashes occurred between the hours of 6:00 pm and 6:00 am. 

Common Catastrophic Injuries from Truck Accidents

Truck accidents frequently cause devastating, life-altering injuries such as:

• Broken bones
• Torn ligaments, tendons, and muscles
• Herniated disc injuries
• Nerve damage
• Burns
• Internal organ injuries and bleeding
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Facial injuries and scarring
• Traumatic brain injury
• Amputation

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Arguably the most common cause or contributing factor to truck accidents is truck driver fatigue. Many truck drivers spend easily more than half of each day on duty and behind the wheel, often for multiple days at a time. Although federal regulations that limit the number of hours a driver can spend on duty are intended to prevent driver fatigue, truck drivers are still especially susceptible to becoming drowsy or tired behind the wheel, especially when drivers inadvertently or intentionally disregard their hours of service limits.

Other common causes of truck accidents include:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including experiencing a “crash” as stimulant drugs used by a driver to stay awake begin to wear off
• Speeding or driving too fast for road and weather conditions
• Reckless or aggressive driving behaviors such as tailgating or weaving in and out of traffic
• Unsafe lane changes, including failing to check mirrors/blind spots and failing to signal
• Distracted driving, including cell phone use behind the wheel
• Truck driver inexperience
• Unfamiliarity with routes or local roads
• Poor visibility caused by low lighting or nighttime driving or bad weather
• Unsafe cargo loads, including overloading the truck, failing to balance the load, or not securing a load from shifting during travel
• Inadequate vehicle inspection and maintenance
• Defective truck parts, including tires, brakes, or transmissions

What Makes Truck Accidents Dangerous?

Truck accidents are considered dangerous due to their higher risk of devastating injuries for others involved in a crash with an 18-wheeler. Semi-trucks are far more likely to cause life-threatening injuries in an accident due to their sheer size and weight. When a truck is traveling at higher speeds on rural roads or on highways, this speed can combine with the truck’s weight to impart violent forces on a vehicle that the truck collides with. These traumatic forces are then felt by the bodies of the vehicle’s occupants; a vehicle’s modern safety systems still may not be enough to protect vehicle occupants from serious injury caused by these large forces. 

Contact a Hamilton Township Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Truck Accident Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries because of a truck accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Hartman Duff, LLC represent clients injured by truck accidents in Hamilton Township, Ewing Township, Lawrence Township, Princeton, and throughout New Jersey. Call 609-853-5579 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 2681 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton Township, NJ 08619.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.