How Prone are Truckers to Causing Accidents?

Despite advances in safety features that aim to reduce the number of car and truck accidents, recent traffic studies indicate the rate of truck accident injuries and fatalities is going up. From 1995 to 2015, the U.S. Department of Transportation found that annual truck accidents resulting in injuries and fatalities reached a low point in 2009. Since then, the numbers of such accidents are trending upward.

In 2016, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that 3,986 people lost their lives in large truck accidents, which is 27% higher than in 2009. The Barnes Firm’s best truck accident lawyers in Los Angeles say the number of truck occupants who died during truck collisions also increased by 47%.

While on the whole trucks are involved in fewer accidents per 100 million miles driven than other vehicles, the accidents they are involved in often lead to severe injuries and fatalities. Are truck drivers more prone to causing accidents than others?

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Proving a Driver’s Negligence

Although many people believe that truck drivers are usually at fault for a serious accident, statistics show the opposite is true. Truck drivers tend to drive more cautiously than other drivers because they must adhere to a strict set of guidelines to be on the road. Truck drivers face the possibility of losing their commercial driver’s licenses — and therefore their jobs — if they are involved in an accident, even if the accident wasn’t their fault.

Our best truck accident lawyers in Los Angeles say proving negligence is more complicated in a truck accident because, in a case where the injured driver was not at fault, there may be several parties to hold accountable. It is up to your truck accident lawyer to launch an investigation to uncover the truth behind the accident.

Who May be Liable for My Truck Accident in Los Angeles?

Some of the parties who might be responsible for a Los Angeles truck accident include:

  • The truck driver
  • The truck driver’s employer
  • The owner of the truck
  • The entity which hired the trucking company
  • The people responsible for conducting safety inspections on the truck
  • The people responsible for conducting maintenance to meet safety standards
Truck Crash Lawyer
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Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Several factors may contribute to a truck accident in Los Angeles, which may or may not be the truck driver’s fault. Among the most common factors are:

  • Mechanical failure
  • Tire blowout
  • Shifting cargo
  • Sudden stops
  • Poor road conditions
  • Speeding
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Driver distractions such as navigation devices and smartphones
  • Swerving to avoid objects on the highway

In conclusion, truck drivers may be as prone to causing an accident as anyone else on the road; it just so happens that they maneuver vehicles that are 20-30 times heavier than regular cars. So, when they do become involved in an accident, the driver of the smaller car usually sustains severe injuries and property damage.

Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyers

After a collision with a truck, it is prudent to discuss your case with a truck accident attorney in Los Angeles. An attorney can investigate the cause of the accident in-depth to determine whether you may be entitled to compensation.

Call our truck accident lawyers in Los Angeles to discuss your case for free or contact us online. We are available to chat at any time.

The Barnes Firm (800) 800-0000

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