Truck Accidents: They Do More Than Just Stop Traffic

Without question, no one looks forward to the traffic associated with holiday weekends. In some cases, it’s not just increased volume that accounts for endless hours on the road. Some of this year’s Fourth of July delays happened as a result of truck accidents. For most, it’s unthinkable. According to news reports, a vehicle identified as a Union City garbage truck overturned by the Lincoln Tunnel.  The truck fell from a Palisades Avenue overpass onto Route 495. Twelve people suffered injuries as a result of the truck crash. The driver claimed his brakes failed and h was unable to stop. As a result, the heavy truck hit a number of motor vehicles. In fact, five of those hurt in the accident were injured when the wayward truck hit a Bolt Bus. It took several hours for authorities to upright the garbage truck and redirect traffic. Fortunately, everyone survived this nightmare crash. The same was not true for those involved in another truck accident during the long holiday weekend.

In South Jersey, a mother and father and one of their children lost their lives when their car collided with a propane truck.  An 11-year-old boy traveling with his family remains in critical condition. Authorities report that the impact of the accident pinned the small passenger vehicle to overturn. Subsequently, it became trapped under the tractor-trailer. By their own accord, collisions involving rollovers are bad enough.  Meanwhile, truck underride accidents often result in fatalities.

• If you are involved in a truck accident of any kind, it helps to know what to do after it happens. In the meantime, you may wonder why so many big wheelers become part of motor vehicle crashes.

Truck Accidents: The Causes

No doubt the size of a vehicle impacts the extent of injuries that can occur as a result of any type of collision. Generally speaking, most people aren’t thinking of regular size pick-ups when they refer to truck accidents. When it comes to the classification of commercial trucks, the United States Department of Transportation does so by gross vehicle weight rating. Everything from the length of the vehicle and its trailer, to its width and height matter when it comes to classifying trucks. Cargo also comes into play when you’re thinking about everything from utility vehicles to tankers. The whole package comes together as far as safe operation.  Meanwhile, it somewhat goes without saying – size matters. Larger trucks will always need more room to stop than passenger vehicles.

Professional drivers value their CDL licenses and therefore try their best to keep their trucks under control. However, that’s not to say that they’re not human. Additionally, many tractor-trailer operators face time constraints when it comes to deliveries and pick-ups. The facts regarding fault in trucking accidents might come as a surprise. Various studies place a high percentage of the blame on the operators of passenger vehicles.  A few years ago, the University of Michigan’s Transportation Institute opined that truckers were only responsible for 27% of crashes in a given year.

If you were hurt in a truck accident, the statistics mean little to you.  You may find the trucker was at fault for any of the following reasons:

• Distracted driving
• Drowsy or fatigued driving
• Exceeding the speed limit
• Improperly changing lanes
• Tailgating or other forms of aggressive driving
• Ignoring traffic signals or signs

Unsecured or improperly loaded cargo can result in difficulties for all types of trucks, including 18-wheelers. Overloading of cargo poses yet another concern. In some cases, improper vehicle maintenance contributes to truck accidents. It’s not only the brakes that can malfunction. Faulty steering equipment and truck tire blowouts also cause truckers to lose control of their vehicle.

Contact Us

Accidents involving trucks often result in severe injuries or fatalities. At the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone, we can help you through the claims process for your truck accident. Contact us to schedule an appointment. CALL NOW 201-762-8956