Factors Involved in a Large Truck Accident

Big rig accidents usually result in catastrophic injuries and property damage.  When a large truck hits a passenger vehicle, the weight of the truck transfers to the smaller vehicle during the collision.  Truck accidents generally involve complex factors that are unique from other types of vehicle accidents.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration completed a study to determine the causes of large truck crashes.

The study examined 963 truck accidents that occurred during a 33-month study period.  Those accidents were actually a sample taken from the 120,000 truck crashes during that time, which resulted in either injuries or death.

There were many factors identified in large truck accidents, including running out of travel lane, loss of control of the truck, driving too fast, shifted loads, poor road conditions and vehicle systems failures.  Researchers found that some of the truck crashes were caused by actions by the trucker.  For example, accidents occurred when the trucker fell asleep, when the trucker was not paying attention or when the truck driver was speeding.

It was also discovered that factors such as prescription drug use, fatigue, roadway unfamiliarity and brake problems caused many of the truck accidents studied.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Louisville truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation.  Contact a truck accident attorney at Gray and White Law at (502) 637-6000 or (800) 637-6033 for legal advice.