Commercial Truck Accidents and Traffic Tips

Traffic accidents involving large commercial trucks can be devastating and result in serious injuries and even death, but we are fortunate to receive accurate statistics from organizations such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The FMCA’s annual report “Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts,” for example, found that fatal accidents involving large trucks increased 5% from 2011 to 2012, the number of large trucks in accidents resulting in injuries increased by 22%, and the “vehicle involvement rate” for large trucks in these accidents also increased by 22%.

The NHTSA analyzed large truck accidents between 1998 and 2008 in a report called “Traffic Safety Facts” and found the percentages for fatalities in accidents involving large trucks: about 74% were occupants of a vehicle other than the truck, 16% were occupants of the truck, and 10% were non-occupants; for those who were injured but not killed in these accidents, about 71% were occupants of another vehicle, 26% were occupants of the truck, and 3% were non-occupants.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration division claims that decreasing fatal accidents involving large trucks requires improvement in both truck safety and the behavior and performance of professional truck drivers.

For regular drivers, here are some valuable tips to share the roads safely with large commercial trucks:

• Large trucks have much larger left and right blind spots than regular vehicles, so do your best to avoid them whenever possible. Also remember the larger rear blind spot due to the truck’s size.
• The distance between you and the vehicle ahead is especially important when behind a large truck due to their slower braking-speed, so never tailgate or follow these trucks too closely.
• Be mindful of large trucks when merging onto a highway, as they cannot move to provide you space as quickly as a regular vehicle, and in some cases it’s better to let the truck get ahead of you before merging rather than forcing your way ahead before the merging lane ends.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to another’s negligence, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.