TRUCKING ACCIDENTSWhy They Are Different

TRUCKING ACCIDENTS BY THE NUMBERS

Large trucks represent approximately four percent of all

registered vehicles in the U.S.

Yet they are involved in about ten percent of all collisions throughout the

country each year

There were 2,817 crashes involving a large truck in Kentucky during 2013

82 people lost their lives in a large truck collision in Kentucky in 2013

11 percent of all fatal accidents involved a tractor-trailer in 2013

Average passenger vehicle weighs in at about 4,000 pounds

A fully loaded 18 wheeler can weigh 80,000 pounds

CAUSES OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS

Trucks can crash for the same reasons as passenger vehicles;

However, some accident causes are more common in trucking accidents

Determining the cause of a truck accident is often more difficult than

in a car accident

The 2007 study by the FMCSA entitled “The Large Truck Causation

Study” found:

Drowsy driving

was a factor in 13 percent of all crashes. The federal “Hours of

Service” rules govern how long a driver can remain on the road without a rest but drivers often

ignore the rules

Drug use

was the most common factor with illegal and prescription drugs found in 26 percent and over the counter drugs found to have contributed to another 18 percent of all collisions

Speed

was a factor in 23 percent of all large truck accidents

Driver errors

such as failing to check the blind spot and errors relating to traveling

an unfamiliar roadway were a contributing factor in 36 percent of

all crashes

LIABILITY IN A TRUCKING ACCIDENT

In an accident involving a large truck there are several parties that could share liability, making it more

difficult to litigate a trucking accident

Driver of the truck

Company for whom the driver works

Owner of the contents being hauled by the truck

Manufacturer of the truck

Some potential at-fault parties include:

Third party maintenance company

Person who loaded the truck

Inspector

Some potential at-fault parties include:

Learn More About Trucking Accident in Kentucky

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www.mmslawonline.com

Content provided by: Best Legal Practices