What Is the Most Accident-Prone Type of Truck?
Truck accidents can be devastating, resulting in injuries, vehicle damages, and death. We look at reasons trucking collisions occur and identify what is the most accident-prone type of truck.
Common Trucks Involved in Accidents
Truck accidents are frequent. Among the vehicles in the commercial class that have the most accidents are tractor-trailers or what are called semi-trucks. A semi-truck is short for semi-trailer truck, which is a truck with a trailer box with a rear axle but no front axle. The truck pulling in some areas in the United States is called a tractor. The tractor/truck carries the primary load, not the hitch in the trailer attachment. Tractor-trailers that carry heavy freight are prone to accidents. This would explain why logging truck crashes occur often.
While there are more tractor-trailer accidents than perhaps box truck crashes, like collisions involving delivery trucks, the latter are on the rise. Why is that the case? Package delivery is the fastest-growing industry. Data compiled by the United Parcel Service suggests that 99% of major retailers will offer same-day delivery by 2025.
Another truck type involved in dangerous vehicle accidents is concrete trucks. These cement mixer truck crashes are not as frequently as other types of collisions but can be equally or more dangerous than tractor-trailer wrecks. According to a report from the Center for Construction Research and Training, the ready-mixed concrete industries had sixteen deaths in 1999, with more than half being transportation-related.
Reasons for Heavy Vehicle Accidents
Heavy vehicles, such as tractor-trailers, are involved in wrecks for many reasons. Some reasons trucking accidents occur are:
Jackknife Accidents
A semi-truck with a trailer can jackknife. Jackknifing happens when a driver brakes suddenly. The great force of the trailer can skid outward and create a 90-degree angle to the truck cab. The truck can flip over, but also the sideways trailer can act as a sliding metal barrier sweeping up other vehicles in its path.
Distracted and Drowsy Driving
A big threat from heavy vehicle operators is distracted driving. When heavy vehicle drivers are distracted, they can react slowly to road and traffic conditions. This is especially dangerous because stopping a heavy vehicle’s ongoing movement is difficult. Drowsy driving can equally contribute to accidents. Truckers who have inadequate sleep have poorer reaction times to road and traffic conditions.
Going Above Recommended Weight
Going above the gross vehicle weight rating for a truck can cause accidents by increasing braking distance, making it harder to stop quickly, and affecting stability and handling. Structural damage with tire failure and suspension damage occurs when truckers, fleet companies, or loaders go above the recommended weight.
Improperly Loaded Freight
Drivers should properly secure their freight. When vehicle drivers do not properly secure their freight, cargo can fall out. This is dangerous to the truck and nearby vehicles because cargo can fall on and damage vehicles.
Rollovers
Semi-truck rollovers often occur because of bad weather, unsafe speeds, or tire blowouts. Rollovers can injure drivers, passengers, or people in other vehicles. In a situation where a tire blows out, tread pieces may strike other vehicles.
Truck Accident Consequences
The consequences of trucking crashes are property loss, injuries, and deaths. According to the National Safety Council, in 2022, 5,837 large trucks (inclusive of commercial and non-commercial vehicles) were involved in fatal crashes.
Avoiding these trucking accidents requires a truck driver to be accountable, which means they must drive responsibly, maintain their vehicle, and not overload cargo. With these driver precautions, heavy vehicle accidents can be minimized.
Finding representation after a tractor-trailer crash or any other type of large truck accident is necessary to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Trucking Injury Law Group is committed to helping you seek justice for the preventable crash that injured you or a family member. Contact us for help today.
