It would seem that trucks and other big rigs are so pervasive that they outnumber all other types of vehicles. In reality, that is not the case since trucks make up only one-tenth of all vehicles. Yet, despite their lower-than-expected number, trucks are involved in over half a million accidents every year. If you or your loved ones have been involved in a truck accident and suffered injuries, you need to reach out to Jerome O. Fjeld, PLLC, your Houston personal injury lawyer. Set up an initial consultation to talk about your case and the legal options available to pursue compensation. Call us today.
Do truck drivers cause more accidents?
In 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that there were about two million commercial trucks actively driving on the roads. Out of that number, almost a quarter of them were involved in a serious collision. This means there is a decent chance that you could get involved in a truck accident.
The large number of crashes that involve trucks is also a reflection of the sheer number of miles that a truck driver traverses every year moving and delivering their cargo.
What causes distracted driving truck accidents?
It is common for truck drivers to use their cell phones while driving and fall into the habit of texting while d the highway. These behaviors alone cause over 25% of crashes, according to the National Safety Council. Other actions that result in truck collisions include:
Manipulating the GPS
Truck drivers must traverse great distances, and they are usually anxious to find the most favorable route to their destination. Sadly, setting up a route in a GPS while driving is as dangerous as texting while driving because it takes the driver’s eyes off the road.
Adjusting the Music
Maybe the driver is listening to the radio and wants to change stations, or they are choosing a different playlist on their music app, or maybe the volume is too low. Whatever action the driver takes in this regard distracts them from the important task of driving.
Looking at Objects Around Them
It may be an accident across the highway and lights flashing as emergency vehicles speed to the scene, or maybe they are set on finding a landmark that indicates a place where they need to turn. Perhaps they are enjoying a beautiful rainbow after hours of rain, there are endless reasons for truck drivers to get distracted and cause a crash.
How many accidents are caused by distracted driving?
According to the NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts of 2019 which were released in December of 2020, more than 3,100 lives were lost in a single year due to distracted driving. 20 percent of those were people who were not inside a vehicle but were walking, riding a bicycle, or just standing on the sidewalk waiting to cross the street.
Additionally, the National Safety Council´s statistics show that cell phone use alone is responsible for 1.6 million accidents every year, while about 390,000 injuries per year can be attributed to texting while driving.
Are truck drivers always at fault?
In most truck accidents, the truck driver is found to be at fault. However, that is not necessarily the case in every single truck accident. Car drivers can be negligent and drive while tired, drive while drinking, or drive at high speeds.
When a car shares the road with a truck, the car driver should be aware of the truck’s presence and not engage in any moves that will force the truck driver to have to suddenly change lanes, stop, or slow down because they may be unable to do so or they may not have enough time or space. A car driver should also always be aware that trucks have blind spots, and the trucker may not be able to see them from all points.
Work With an Experienced Distracted Driving Truck Accident Attorney
Houston truck accident lawyer, Jerome O. Fjeld, PLLC, knows how important it is to determine who is at fault for a distracted driving truck accident. He has the experience you seek because he has helped many victims of truck accidents recover the compensation they need to cover their medical bills, loss of income, and other expenses.
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in an accident with a large commercial truck, we can help you file a lawsuit against whoever is at fault. We will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident to determine whether the trucking company played a role, or it was whoever is responsible for the truck’s maintenance, the truck’s manufacturer or the manufacturer of parts, or even the city where the collision took place for failing to maintain the roads.
When you schedule an initial consultation with Jerome O. Fjeld, PLLC, you immediately become important to us, and we will fight for you and your rights until you get the compensation you seek. Call us today to get started.
