Across North Carolina and the nation, more and more people are losing their lives in deadly car wrecks involving commercial trucks. A recent study sought to identify the most common causes of these commercial truck crashes. By identifying factors which often lead to injuries, fatalities, and property damage, advocated for safety are hoping they can prevent serious trucking accidents in the future.
The number of fatal truck accidents that are taking place across our nation’s roadways rose 5.7% between 2016 and 2018, according to CDL Life. This indicates an alarming trend and a continued threat to drivers. Recent research also showed that although there was a small (2.4%) decrease in all types of road fatalities nationwide during the year 2018, the number of fatalities that involved commercial trucks actually increased by 0.9% during that same year.
The study entitled the Large Truck Crash Causal Factors Study has three objectives. First, the study takes a close look at all crashes that involve commercial trucks hoping to identify trends. Second, the study seeks to follow these trends in an effort to identify other contributing factors and causes of the crashes. Finally, the study hopes to give safety advocates information they need to enact new training measures, safety procedures or other important protocols that can increase the safety of all motorists.
There was a similar study of commercial truck accidents between 2001 and 2003 that showed that the majority of truck crashes were due to the truck’s driver being primarily at fault, that the driver’s actions, or inactions, were a major contributing factor to the truck crash.
If you’ve or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, we encourage you to call our office and speak with an attorney immediately. Trucking laws are very complicated and Hardee, Massey & Blodgett, LLP can help you navigate them. Call for a free consultation today, 252-378-2525.