In 2007 alone, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that there were more than 14,000,000 trucks roaming around the highways of US, and that includes Los Angeles.
Truck Accidents account for 4,669 of the total 58,512 crashes in 2003 and according to statistics these trucks are more likely to cause or be involved in multi vehicle accidents than passenger cars.
It should also be noted that in accidents involving trucks and passenger vehicles, the people from the passenger vehicle is more likely to be injured or be fatally wounded than the truck driver.
Causes of Truck Accidents in Los Angeles
A truck accident is very much different from normal vehicle accidents. Just by the size of the truck itself, the amount of damage it can cause is relatively greater than other types of vehicles.
In addition, truck drivers have a more limited vision compared to normal cars. The elevated position of the driver causes some areas behind and beside the truck to become virtual blind sides.
One usual cause of truck accidents is driver fatigue. Sleep deprivation causes a driver to lose concentration. It may cause the driver to nod off or accidentally change lanes. According to U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), about 750 deaths and 20,000 injuries each year is attributed to tired truck drivers.
Tight deadlines and low pay are also factors for driver’s fatigue. These cause truckers to drive longer hours to earn more or to speed up to catch the deadline.
Another usual cause of truck accidents is the driver’s recklessness. Truckers trying to beat their deadline tend to move beyond the allowable speed limit and in some cases even disregard traffic rules.
According to Statistics, about 27 percent of large truck drivers that are involved in truck accidents in the US had at least one speeding conviction.
The weather may also factor in. Speeding trucks are difficult to control already by itself, add in slippery roads due to rain or snow and you have a disaster in the making.
Other causes of truck accidents that can be attributed to a driver’s recklessness are:
• Failure to yield right of way
• Diving aggressively
• Driving off the road
• Unlicensed driver
• Inadequate training
• Disobeying safety procedures
• Ignoring speed limit reduction
Truck Accidents can also be attributed to unsafe or improperly maintained trucks. Unlike cars, trucks that are not properly maintained can cause a much bigger damage. Some of the most common truck defects are the following:
• Tires / Wheels
• Brakes
• Engine / Transmission
• Steering Wheel
In addition, about 64% of truck accidents involve trucks with one trailer. Unstable loads can cause truck imbalance and may make it much more difficult to steer.
If you are injured due to a truck accident, proving who is liable can be much more difficult than in a car crash. It might be that it is not only the driver that is responsible for the crash.
Some of the truckers are just hired by trucking companies so they do not maintain the trucks themselves. You may find that the truck companies or the manufacturers are liable too.
You should seek help from an attorney who has vast experience in truck accidents to help you pursue the case.
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Los Angeles truck accidents, consult with our expert
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