Know The Dangers Of Sharing A Road With A Commercial Truck
Would it surprise you to learn that the No. 1 predictor of a fatal trucking accident is simply the number of commercial trucks that are on the road?
On one hand, that makes sense; however, it stops making so much sense when you find out that while commercial trucks only average about 8 percent of the traffic on the highway, they cause 11 percent of all highway deaths.
The proportions are all wrong.
Even worse, there are additional findings about the dangers of sharing the road with a commercial truck of which every driver should be aware:
- Even lower overall traffic volume, an increased numbers of trucks equals more likelihood of death due a trucking accident.
- Speed is another huge factor in trucking deaths — any truck going over 45 mph will double the chances of a fatality.
- Male drivers are more inclined to get involved in crashes than women, even when discounting for the gender gap among drivers. Researchers believe it may be due to road rage and the inclination of men to push themselves past their natural physical limits.
- Combination trucks (which are illegal in some states) are at a bigger danger of severe crashes because the driver simply can’t see the entire right side of the vehicle — and many passenger cars don’t know that.
- Bad weather, particularly snow, can double the threat of death on the highway.
- It probably surprises no one that drivers who are impaired through the use of intoxicating substances, including drugs, increase their chances of causing a death seven times over.
An attorney experienced in truck accident can be a valuable asset if you’ve been involved in a trucking accident. Our firm has attorneys who are experienced with the complexities of truck accidents (including how to determine if the fault lies with the driver alone or some other entity) and may be able to help you.