The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regularly reviews the causes of reported traffic accidents to better understand how these devastating crashes happen. According to the federal agency, there are well over 250,000 large truck accidents nationwide each year. These accidents injure 60,000 people and kill over 3,000 people annually.

Understanding the main causes of truck accidents can help you avoid being involved in one. Here are four of the most common causes of New York truck accidents:

  • Truck driver error: Inexperienced, careless, and reckless truck drivers put everyone on the roadway at risk of serious injury. Some of the most common forms of truck driver error include excessive speed, violating hours-of-service regulations, driving while fatigued, distracted driving, and impaired driving.
  • Truck equipment failure: The second most common cause of truck accidents is truck equipment failure. Brake failure is particularly common and dangerous. Improperly maintained brakes, defective tires, and a lack of reverse-detection warning devices are all forms of equipment-related hazards that can result in serious injuries. The FMSCA requires all truck drivers and truck companies to perform a pre-trip inspection of the equipment to make sure everything is in proper working order.
  • Improper loading: When the contents of a trailer is improperly configured or unevenly distributed, there is an increased risk of a jackknifing accident. Poorly loaded cargo can fall from the truck causing serious roadway hazards.
  • Weather: Due to the heavy weight of trucks and trailers, braking distance is easily hampered by bad weather. Trucks can’t stop or turn as easily as smaller vehicles. When truck drivers fail to adjust the way they drive for the weather conditions, it can put nearby drivers at risk of getting crushed by an out of control truck or trailer.

If you or a loved one has been injured by the carelessness of a truck driver or a trucking company, you may be able to pursue compensation for your losses. With the help of a New York City truck accident attorney, you can seek support for your medical bills, lost wages, suffering, loss of earning potential, and other related damages.

Contact Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP at (212) 986- 7353.

 

 

Posted in: Truck Accident