The Barnes Firm

Events Leading to Trucking Accidents this Summer

• July 8, 2019
• Sandy

LOS ANGELES — Trucking accidents are known for causing extensive vehicle damage and serious injuries. Some of The Barnes Firm’s best truck accident lawyers in Los Angeles say accidents can be more common during the summer due to a number of events that raises your risk on the roads.

Trucking Accidents by the Numbers

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released a report in May 2019 containing trucking accident data from the year 2017. That year, about 450,000 accidents involving large trucks were reported to police in the United States. Close to 4,900 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal accidents in 2017, which represented a 9 percent increase from the prior year.

FMCSA states that the number of large trucks and buses involved in fatal accidents in the country has increased by 42 percent since 2009. However, the figure for 2017 was still lower than the highest annual rate of truck-involved fatal accidents, which occurred in 2005. Injury crashes involving large trucks and buses increased by 4 percent from 2016 to 2017, with 116,000 accidents resulting in injuries in 2017.

Causes of Trucking Accidents During the Summer

Several aspects of the summer season can contribute to higher numbers of trucking accidents. According to the Los Angeles truck accident lawyers at The Barnes Firm, these are some of the most common causes of trucking accidents in summer:

• Construction – Construction projects are prevalent in summer months, particularly on interstates where trucks travel most frequently. Not only do the warmer months present better construction conditions, but the preceding winter months cause damage to many roadways. Truckers who are not paying close attention can find themselves causing accidents in work zones. The lane closures and winding routes that usually accompany construction zones are far more difficult for large trucks to navigate. Construction can also cause total closure of highways and interstates in some areas, which means trucks have to detour into cities. As a result, our best Los Angeles truck accident attorney says trucking accidents can become more likely inside urban areas.
• Changes in Demand – Changes in demand for truckers in the summer can also contribute to more accidents. More trucks are necessary to haul construction materials, agriculture equipment, and food products. With more vehicles on America’s roadways, an LA truck accident lawyer says it can mean more trucking accidents. Additionally, when truckers are carrying heavier loads, like construction materials and equipment, the chances of becoming unbalanced increase. Improperly balanced or overweight loads can lead to tractor-trailers overturning or rolling over. These accidents themselves can injure people, as can any materials that fall onto the road.
• Tire Blowouts – Tire blowouts are more likely to happen during hotter weather. The heat causes air inside of tires to expand, and when tries are already worn out, this expansion can quickly lead to blowouts. With better driving conditions, truckers might try to push their tires beyond their safe limits. Blowouts often cause truckers to lose control of their rigs. A truck with a blowout might veer into another lane, collide with other vehicles or objects, or run off the road and hit pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Trucker Fatigue – Trucker fatigue can cause an accident at any time of year, but some truckers experience higher instances of fatigue during the summer. Truckers try to take advantage of clear weather and more hours of daylight, and they can easily end up driving for too many hours without a break. Studies show that drowsy driving can have effects on a person similar to alcohol. The National Sleep Foundation says that when a person is awake for 18 hours without sleep, he or she is functioning like someone with a blood alcohol content of .05. When a person has been awake for 24 hours, he or she is functioning like someone with a blood alcohol content of .10.

What To Do If I’ve Been Injured In A Truck Accident

Truck accidents in California can often be devastating for victims and their families. Since trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, the injuries associated with trucking accidents are typically severe and costly to treat. At The Barnes Firm, we’ve assembled a team of experienced truck accident lawyers in Los Angeles, and across California to help families get the best possible result from an accident claim.

When you’ve been injured by a negligent truck driver, you can count on our best truck accident lawyers in Los Angeles to help protect your rights. Call us or get in touch with a lawyer online for a FREE case evaluation.

The Barnes Firm (800) 800-0000