What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Crashes? 3 FAQs Answered by a Longview Accident Attorney

Commercial truckers tend to be far more experienced behind the wheel than other drivers. They also undergo extensive training to avoid accidents and drive defensively. Unfortunately, CMV collisions still happen; in fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 342,000 large trucks were involved in accidents in 2013.

Perhaps more alarming is the number of CMV crashes that took place in Texas. The Lone Star state saw 493 fatal large truck accidents, a whopping 12.6 percent of the country’s total, and 111 truck driver fatalities. Compounding these tragic stats, 381 passengers of other vehicles lost their lives, which was the highest in the United States that year.

If you were hit by a commercial truck in Texas, contact a Longview truck accident lawyer from the Cooper Law Firm. You may be entitled to compensation for lost income, medical bills and noneconomic damages.

Eric Cooper is an accident attorney who will evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation. You can also visit USAttorneys.com to learn more about injury lawsuits arising from truck accidents in Texas.

Here are the answers to three FAQs about truck wrecks:

What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study of 2007 investigated primary and associated factors related to three years’ worth of accidents. It found that the five most common causes of large truck accidents are:

Vehicle brake malfunction;
Traveling too fast to account for conditions;
Driver’s unfamiliarity with the area;
Environment-related roadway issues;
And the driver’s over-the-counter drug use.

What Are the Most Common Injuries Associated with Truck Accidents?

Truckers drive for many hours at a time – often overnight through unfamiliar regions – so there are plenty of opportunities for accidents to happen. These crashes can be far more serious than passenger vehicle collisions because CMVs are much larger and heavier.

Passenger vehicle occupants often suffer internal wounds, head injuries and traumatic brain injuries. Truck drivers are prone to neck and spine injuries, as well as bruises and lacerations around the ribs and torso from seat belts.

How Can I Avoid Being Injured in a Truck Accident?

Defensive driving is the key to avoiding a truck accident. Try to minimize the amount of time you spend alongside, behind or in front of a truck.

Here are some safe-driving habits that will help you avoid a truck crash:

Leave more space than the usual following distance;
Don’t linger in a truck’s blind spots for longer than necessary;
And be aware of the truck’s mirrors – make sure you can see the driver’s eyes in the mirrors.

If you were injured in a truck crash, contact the Cooper Law Firm. N. Eric Cooper is an accident attorney in Longview who helps clients throughout east Texas. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation.