How Can We Reduce Truck Accidents in California?
It is common to see large trucks on the roads and highways throughout Southern California. Even though trucking companies have enhanced safety training, truck accidents are still occurring at an alarming rate. In 2008, there were 123,918 large truck accidents across the country. That same year, 73,047 people were injured in truck crashes.
Truck accidents tend to be catastrophic by nature, due to the immense size and mass of the truck, which is no match for a smaller passenger vehicle. In an attempt to understand the causes of truck accidents, researchers conducted the Large Truck Crash Causation Study in 2006. Some of the factors involved in these wrecks were to be expected, but some of the other findings were disturbing.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) completed this extensive study into truck accident causation. A sample was studied from the 120,000 truck crashes that occurred from April 2001 to December 2003. According to the study, approximately one in 20 drivers will be involved in an accident at one point in time.
Even though driver fatigue tends to get the most attention when it comes to truck accident causes, it is surprisingly not the number one factor involved in these accidents. Researchers discovered hundreds of associated factors from the truck crashes that were studied. The top 10 factors found are as follows:
- Brake problems
- Traffic flow interruption
- Use of prescription drug
- Traveling too fast for conditions
- Roadway unfamiliarity
- Problems with the road
- Required stop
- Use of over-the-counter drug
- Inadequate surveillance
- Fatigue
If you have been injured in a truck accident, you need to contact a truck accident attorney immediately. Timing is crucial when it comes to building a strong truck accident case and the sooner you can get starter, the better your chances of winning your truck accident lawsuit. Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer today at the law office of Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie today at (888) 752-7474 for a free legal consultation.
*Source: The Large Truck Causation Study - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
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