Where Do Most Truck Accidents Occur?

Truck accidents have the potential to cause untold devastation wherever they occur. The size, the weight, and the stopping distance required to prevent accidents all work together to make such prevention difficult to achieve. The environment around the accident can be a contributing factor to the accident itself. You may be asking yourself, “Where do most truck accidents occur?” If you have been involved in a truck accident, contact a Charlotte truck accidents attorney today.

The Location of Most Truck Accidents

According to information gathered by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), most truck accidents do not actually occur on the highway. Data gathered in 2021 show that only 36% of fatal truck accidents happened on highways and interstates in the United States. A slightly higher 48% of fatal truck accidents happened on other major roads that weren’t highways or interstates, while 16% occurred on minor roads.

There are a number of potential reasons why this disparity exists. Non-highway major roads often have traffic moving in multiple directions. There is a lot of potential for stop-and-go traffic as well as streets that only go one way. Driving on those roads requires a lot of focus and quick thinking.

Truck drivers need a lot of space to maneuver and time to slow down, which can be easier on the wide-open space of the highway. Slightly less major roads may not provide the necessary space to react accordingly. Truck driving is a demanding job that opens itself up to all sorts of specific physical injuries, a lot of which can happen due to overexertion while driving on smaller, narrower roads.

Different Types of Truck Collisions

Every truck accident is different. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, it could be more or less catastrophic for the truck driver and the other drivers or pedestrians involved in the accident. Here are some examples of the different kinds of truck accidents that can happen when you least expect them:

• Rollover: A truck rollover is arguably the most catastrophic truck accident that can happen. In a rollover, the trailer flips due to the driver taking a turn too sharply or driving too fast in poor weather conditions. The resulting flip causes the entire truck to roll onto one side, crushing everything in its path and obstructing the road for oncoming drivers. These often happen as a result of driver negligence or distraction.
• Jackknife: A jackknife accident occurs when the trailer of a big rig truck swings around its pivot point to create a shape like a jackknife being folded. This type of accident can be particularly destructive due to the unpredictability of the trailer as it carves its way through oncoming traffic. These can happen when the driver brakes too quickly in inclement weather, and the truck slows down before the trailer does.
• T-Bone: A T-bone accident, also called a broadside crash, happens frequently at intersections. They are often the result of running a red light, ignoring a stop sign, or ignoring proper “right of way” etiquette. The truck then collides with the broadside of a vehicle or is hit on the broadside by another vehicle, resulting in a sort of “T-bone” shape. These can be quite devastating to anybody seated on the side of the vehicle that is smashed into.
• Rear-End: A rear-end collision with a large truck has the potential to completely destroy the vehicle it rear-ends. Trucks are not easy to stop if they are going fast enough. Drivers need enough time and distance to come to a complete stop, and rear-end collisions end up being quite common. Distractions, speeding, and other forms of negligence are the main cause of rear-end collisions.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Most Common Cause of Truck Accidents?

A: The most common cause of truck accidents in the United States is distracted driving, which is also the most common cause of car accidents. Distracted driving causes fatal accidents all the time. When your focus is on anything but the road ahead of you, the possibility of causing a deadly accident drastically increases. Truck drivers are driving large, potentially destructive machines that have the power to injure countless others if something goes horribly wrong.

Q: Which State Has the Most Truck Accidents?

A: According to information gathered by Truck Info in 2022, the state that has the most truck accidents is Texas, with over 19,000 accidents. California was in second place, with over 13,000 accidents. North Carolina was toward the bottom of the spectrum, with a little over 6,000 accidents. A little less than 3% of truck accidents on a national level resulted in a fatality.

Q: What Truck Has the Most Accidents?

A: The type of truck that has the most accidents is a semi-trailer. Trucks that were pulling single semi-trailers accounted for 53% of fatal accidents involving trucks. Those that were pulling two or three trailers only accounted for 3.1% of fatal incidents. This is most likely because trucks pulling two or more trailers are fairly uncommon compared to those pulling one semi-trailer.

Q: What Is the Leading Cause of Death for Truck Drivers?

A: A recent study from NMS Health revealed that the leading cause of death for truck drivers is chronic illness. Truck drivers tend to develop various chronic illnesses due to the nature of their sedentary line of work.

Sitting still for prolonged periods of time can cause one to develop blood clots, obesity, hypertension, and heart disease, among other medical conditions. Long-haul trucking can be a very physically demanding occupation. It is also mentally challenging, as it requires quick reactions and long periods of intense focus.

Reach Out to a Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Truck accidents can occur when you least expect them. If you end up involved in one, it is important to take the proper actions to protect yourself. The legal team of Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler can assist you in understanding the steps you can take and how to pursue legal action through the proper channels. Contact us to schedule a consultation if you are in a truck accident.