With approximately 2 million tractor-trailers on the road, truck drivers and motor vehicle drivers should be aware of ways to avoid truck accidents. Truck drivers are responsible for earning a commercial driver’s license (CDL) before operating a commercial vehicle and motorists are responsible for being extra vigilant when in the presence of big rigs.

Truck Driver Safety

After earning a CDL, the best way to stay safe on the road is also the most basic: know how to operate and keep control of your vehicle. According to the commercial driver’s license manual, all trucks should be inspected before, during, and after each trip. These inspections must be logged in case a truck needs to be repaired.

In order to operate commercial vehicles, truck drivers are required to carry their commercial driver’s license (CDL). Despite the fact that all drivers are forced to go through rigorous training prior to operating their vehicle, commercial truck accidents are far more common than most people would like to assume. Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, collisions with standard motor vehicles can cause severe and often fatal injuries. In the vast majority of commercial truck accidents, the most damage is done to the other vehicles involved and their drivers and passengers. If you have been injured in a commercial truck accident, it is likely that either the driver or truck company was at fault. 

Commercial Truck Accidents Nationwide

Despite the vetting process of drivers and the high number of regulatory measures put in place to ensure that trucks are as safe as possible, commercial truck accidents are incredibly common throughout the United States. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were approximately 4,213 commercial trucks involved in fatal accidents in 2016 alone. This marked a 3% increase over the total number of commercial truck fatalities in 2015. In addition, studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that more than 119,000 Americans suffered injuries in accidents involving commercial trucks throughout 2016. 

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

While not all commercial truck accidents are caused by negligence, a large number of them are. Common forms of driver negligence include drowsy driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and aggressive driving (such as speeding or tailgating). In other cases, the trucking company may be liable for the accident. If the driver was not properly certified or trained to be operating the commercial vehicle, the company may be responsible for the injuries and damages suffered. Other common reasons for trucking company liability include failure to properly secure cargo and improper or incomplete maintenance on the vehicle.