According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, large truck and commercial vehicles were involved in over 500,000 accidents in 2010. Over 100,000 people suffered serious injury directly related to these accidents and more than 5,000 died. That’s a 36% rise in truck accident fatalities over 2009.
This alarming rise in truck accident fatalities has prompted safety groups to call on the U.S. Department of Transportation for an increase of safety regulations, especially in larger states with significant commercial truck traffic such as California, Texas, New York, and Florida. A number of factors contribute to trucking accidents, and many can be traced to some form of negligence. The most common contributing factors in a trucking accident include:
- Traffic law violations, including speeding, tailgating, improper lane changing
- Driver error, including drowsy, fatigued drivers
- Equipment failure, resulting from lack of maintenance and upkeep
- Dangerous road conditions, involving third-party government entities
- Flawed road design, such poor or failed traffic control devices, merging lanes
Claims of negligence in situations such as these can be complex. Many require the expertise of an attorney. A third-party government entity may be also be involved. The insurance company for a truck company may use intimidation tactics to reduce or deny compensation. Our firm understands all aspects of truck-related accidents and injuries. We will work aggressively to hold all responsible parties accountable, and take the right course of action to help you earn your rightful compensation.
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