A certain amount of risk is always present when driving a motor vehicle, be it a tiny sedan or an 18-wheeler. Any car can get into an accident, but semi-truck collisions can be particularly fatal. Although connecting with a Manhattan, KS Truck Accident Attorney is helpful, here are some semi-truck road crashes that everyone should be aware of.
They Occur More Commonly on Rural Roads
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), nearly two-thirds of semi-truck collisions take place on highways other than interstates or freeways. Longer, flatter, and higher speed limits are three characteristics of rural roads that can contribute to a truck driver’s onset of weariness. The motorist may fall into a state of highway hypnosis and become more prone to distraction, which can swiftly result in an accident.
Brake Problems Play a Role
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), brake problems account for roughly 30% of large truck collisions. Call an accident attorney for guidance on what to do if the investigation into a semi-truck accident reveals that the cause was defective brakes. The crash may have been partially caused by the brake manufacturer.
Numerous fatalities occur throughout the day
You might believe that driving beside a semi-truck is particularly hazardous at night. However, between 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in 2019, 48 percent of fatalities in semi-truck incidents happened during that time. However, only 30% of deaths in car crashes that did not include trucks happened during those hours.
Speed Contributes Significantly
An investigation on semi-truck road crashes was recently undertaken by the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine. They discovered that speed was the primary cause of the accident in 45% of those collisions. The abrupt movement in cargo might cause the entire vehicle to flip or roll over when a truck’s wheels are moving too quickly and the truck wants to turn or merge.
Most fatalities occur to passengers in cars
Over 4,000 persons lost their lives in truck accidents in 2019 according to a study done by the IIHS. Approximately 67% of those fatalities included passengers in cars, whereas only 16% involved truck occupants. These data on semi-truck fatalities are not intended to scare you off the road. To be able to drive safely and responsibly, everyone must be aware of the risks involved in sharing the route with a semi-truck.