What Percentage of Truck Accidents Are Caused by Cars?
Although many large truck crashes occur due to the negligence of a truck driver or trucking company, some trucking accidents between commercial trucks and cars can stem from the car driver’s carelessness or recklessness.
What Percentage of Truck Accidents Are Caused by Cars?
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in one recent year, passenger vehicles caused 400 fatal crashes, 9,000 injury crashes, and 20,000 property damage-only accidents by rear-ending large trucks. Passenger vehicles also caused 395 fatal crashes by crossing center medians and colliding head-on with large trucks. Finally, passenger vehicles colliding with large trucks in other ways caused another 393 fatal accidents, 13,000 injury accidents, and 47,000 property-damage-only accidents.
When Are Car Drivers at Fault in Truck Accidents?
Passenger vehicle drivers may bear responsibility for truck driving accidents when they engage in careless or reckless behaviors, such as:
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Tailgating/following too closely
- Reckless driving, such as excessive speeding or street racing
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Failing to yield the right of way on highways or traffic circles
- Turning or changing lanes without signaling
- Cutting off trucks on the highway
- Improper or unsafe passing
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Drowsy/fatigued driving
Tips for Akron Drivers to Avoid Truck Accidents
Safely controlling a large commercial vehicle is a difficult task that requires both careful attention and specific training. Car drivers can help truckers drive safely and prevent devastating truck accidents by following these key safety tips:
- Stay Out of a Truck’s Blind Zones – Trucks have large blind zones that extend several feet in front of and behind the truck and run along the sides of the truck, potentially stretching into multiple lanes on one side or the other. When passing a truck, do so quickly while maintaining a safe speed. Do not linger in a truck’s blind spot since the driver may change lanes or turn without realizing you are in their blind spot. Do not tailgate or cut off a truck.
- Beware of Wide Turns – On city streets, trucks may need to make wide turns, which may involve turning from a lane other than the rightmost or leftmost lane or turning into opposing lanes to complete the turn. Give the truck driver space to complete the turn and avoid passing a right-turning truck on the right.
- Remember That Trucks Take Longer to Brake or Accelerate – Large trucks accelerate slower than passenger cars and need a longer distance to slow down and stop. Do not maneuver around a truck and assume it will react as quickly as your car.
Contact Our Akron Truck Accident Lawyers to Learn More
If you’ve recently been in a truck accident in Akron, don’t wait to get the legal help you need to protect your rights and seek financial compensation for what you’ve suffered. Contact Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced truck accident attorney to discuss your legal options regarding a truck accident lawsuit.
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At Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, we only represent consumers. We fight for regular people who have been seriously hurt in accidents. We fight for people who are being crushed by overwhelming debt and need a fresh start. We fight for individuals and families. Never businesses. Never insurance companies. We are loyal to the consumer.
