Causes of Large Truck Accidents – the Large Truck Crash Causation Study

Large truck accidents accounted for more than 80,000 injuries across the country in 2007. In Texas, there were over 10,000 injuries caused by large trucks that same year. When an accident involves a tractor-trailer, the outcome is usually catastrophic. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently completed a study of the causes of large truck crashes. The information that the study revealed was alarming.

Researchers examined the reasons for serious crashes involving large trucks, which included any truck with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds, from data collected from the 120,000 large truck crashes that occurred between April 2001 and December 2003. A nationally representative sample of 963 crashes was reviewed, which involved 1,123 large trucks and 959 motor vehicles that were not trucks. Each crash included at least one large truck and caused a fatality or injury.

According to the study, factors that play a role in a crash may take place hours, days or even months before the accident. For example, some of the elements associated with large truck accidents include the following:

• Driver training
• Driver experience
• Vehicle design or manufacture
• Highway condition
• Traffic signaling
• Weather conditions

There are some factors that contribute to large truck accidents that happen immediately before the crash takes place, such as tire blowout, snow or traffic decisions. Researchers found that there was typically more than one factor involved in the crash.

The authors of the study classified the main crash variables into three separate categories – critical event, critical reason and associated factors. Each of the variables was coded to assess the crash risk. Critical events including the following:

• Running out of travel lane or off the road
• Loss of control
• Rear-end collision with another vehicle in the truck’s lane

More than half of the large truck crashes examined were assigned a critical reason, which had to do with the driver, vehicle or environment. Hundreds of associated factors were identified in each large truck accident. The top ten associated factors were:

• Problems with brakes
• Interruption in traffic flow
• Use of prescription drug
• Driving too fast for conditions
• Unfamiliarity with the road
• Problems with the road
• Required stop
• Use of over-the-counter drug
• Inadequate surveillance
• Fatigue

The injuries sustained from large truck accidents are usually severe and require extensive medical treatment. If you or a family member was injured in a semi truck accident, contact the Texas truck accident attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C. at (877) 724-7800 or (713) 224-7800. We are experienced in handling large truck cases and can help you receive the compensation you deserve.