Truck accidents happen for many reasons, but they often result in serious or fatal injuries for individuals in smaller vehicles. Due to the larger size and heavier weight of commercial trucks, they can inflict serious damage on smaller vehicles, even when going at a slow rate of speed. Collisions involving semitrailers and large commercial vehicles are a serious safety threat on Oklahoma roads and elsewhere.
Recent traffic data indicates that the issue of truck accidents is not getting better. Despite knowledge about the dangers of distracted driving, safer vehicles and other regulations, fatal truck accidents are happening at an alarming rate. Whether you suffered injuries in this type of accident or you simply want to learn more about how and why these events happen, it can help to take a close look at the statistics and what they may reveal about this serious concern.
Facts about truck accidents
Truckers have a special responsibility to be safe, cautious and careful while they are on the road. Speeding, driving while fatigued and distraction are all significant factors in a high number of truck accidents. It may help to understand the following facts about truck accidents:
- The majority of fatal truck collisions happen in the middle of the day, specifically between 11:00 in the morning and 4:00 in the afternoon.
- Over 20% of truckers involved in a fatal truck accident have previously received a citation for speeding.
- In fatal truck collisions, many of them were the result of the truck driver’s failure to yield right of way.
- The most recent statistics indicate that truck accidents are slowly on the rise.
- The vast majority of fatalities that occur in truck accidents are people in smaller passenger vehicles, not in the truck.
Other common reasons for truck accidents include reckless driving, failure to obey traffic laws, improper lane changing and more. One mistake or poor decision by a truck driver can result in consequences that can leave innocent motorists severely injured or dead.
What can victims do?
If you are the victim of a truck accident, you may feel unsure of what you can do next or how you can put the pieces back together. It is possible to hold liable parties accountable through a civil claim filed. Oklahoma law allows personal injury victims to seek appropriate compensation through the civil justice system. You don’t have to take on this process alone, but you may find it helpful to seek guidance from an experienced personal injury attorney.