Kelly & West News

What to Know about Truck Accidents

Semi-truck accidents, or accidents involved an 18-wheeler, are more common than you might guess. After all, millions of trucks drive our highways and Interstates each day, hauling food and goods across the country, including through North Carolina. 

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 4,657 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes in 2017 (the most recent year available). 

The number of accidents involving trucks is going up. According to the most recent report: 

• The number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes increased 10 percent from 2016 to 2017, from 4,251 to 4,657. 
• The large truck involvement rate (large trucks involved in fatal crashes per 100 million miles traveled by large trucks) increased 6 percent, from 1.48 to 1.56.  
• The number of large trucks involved in injury crashes increased by 5 percent, from 102,000 to 107,000.  
• The number of large trucks involved in property damage only crashes increased by 3 percent, from 351,000 to 363,000.  

Truck accidents tend to cause a lot more damage due to the size of the vehicle. Often those hurt or killed are passengers or drivers in other vehicles, again due to the truck’s enormity. Furthermore, there are usually more people involved, including the driver, the trucking company, and the drivers of other cars. 

Common causes of these accidents include: 

• Loss of control, which may be caused by speeding or inattention 
• Rear-end collisions, sometimes caused by the driver of another vehicle stopping short in front of a truck
• Running out of lane space 
• Overtired drivers and distracted drivers

Not all trucking companies and drivers are doing things wrong. But many cases over the years have shown that poorly maintained vehicles, overloaded trucks, and overtired drivers contribute to these accidents. Plus, today, it’s common for drivers to be distracted by phones and screens. 

Some small car accidents may not require an attorney, but if you are involved in a truck accident, it’s critical to get legal help. The differences in these accidents, those involved, and the insurance tends to be more complicated — and the damages tend to be severe. 

You can learn more about semi-truck accidents with our free download. Click the red bar on the right side of this page for the free info sheet. Or, contact us as soon as possible after an accident involving a semi-truck so we can gather essential evidence.