Accidents involving commercial trucks rank among the most serious kinds of collisions that can happen in New Jersey. When a commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the car occupants are much likelier to sustain serious injuries or be killed. A part of the problem is the differences in the size and weight of commercial trucks versus passenger vehicles. Here are some facts about truck accidents that you should know.
Truck accident statistics
In 2017, 4,761 people were killed in accidents involving large commercial trucks, and thousands more suffered serious injuries. Trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds while passenger cars weigh less than a 10th of that weight. The immense weight of large trucks makes them much more difficult to handle and requires a substantially greater braking distance to come to a stop. When trucks crash into passenger vehicles, some of the physical forces caused by the crash can extend into the cabs of the cars and cause catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
Truck crash causes
Both car and truck drivers can be at fault for causing a truck accident. Some of the driver-related factors that may contribute to a truck accident that causes a personal injury include:
- Speeding
- Following too close
- Aggressive, distracted or inattentive driving
- Driving too fast for the road conditions
- Unfamiliarity with the road
- Inexperience or a lack of training
- Drowsy or impaired driving
Other contributing factors in truck accidents may include inadequate repairs, road defects or debris, improper load securement, and others.
Individuals who are seriously injured in accidents with large trucks may want to consult with personal injury attorneys who are experienced with handling complex cases. A lawyer may be able to explain the legal merits of a potential case and help his or her client recover compensation for the losses he or she has suffered.