According to the Large Truck Causation Study, done by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the top ten factors for large truck crashes are:
- Brake problems
- Traffic flow interruption
- Prescription drug use
- Traveling too fast for conditions
- Unfamiliarity with the roadway
- Roadway problems
- Required to stop before the crash (traffic signal, crosswalk)
- Over-the-counter drug use
- Inadequate surveillance
- Fatigue
Too many of the items on the top ten list have one thing in common—the driver. Just before the crash, the truck driver made a mistake. And this mistake, whether it was drug use, driving too fast or not being properly rested, resulted in a terrible, life-altering accident.
Big Truck, Big Problems
While it’s true that per mile, semi trucks cause fewer accidents than motorists, when they do crash the accident is almost always serious. Accident statistics back this up. Crashes that involve a large truck most often injure or kill the motorists involved in the accident, not the truck driver. The reason for this is obvious—a car is no match for a loaded 18-wheeler.
If you have lost a loved one during a semi truck accident in New Jersey, you already know the terrible impact semi truck accidents have on the lives on motorists. Now, as you struggle to deal with your new reality, you are faced with seemingly impossible choices. Do you sue the trucking company? If so, will the proceedings be painful? Is it better to fight or to let it go, move on with your life?
Each situation, each accident, is different. To determine the best path for you, for your family, it’s important that you speak with a Mercer County personal injury lawyer.
The consultation is free, so there are no risks for making an appointment and speaking with an attorney who has dedicated their life to protecting the rights of accident victims and their families. Call 800.860.5801 today. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
